Bill Text: VA HR49 | 2018 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Sergeant Willie Rowe, USA.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-02-02 - Bill text as passed House (HR49ER) [HR49 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2018-HR49-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Sergeant Willie Rowe, USA, who died as a prisoner of war in North Korea on January 20, 1951, was laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in 2017; and
WHEREAS, in 1950, a 22-year-old Willie Rowe left his home in Hampton to serve the nation as a member of the United States Army, and he deployed to Korea with L Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Rowe's unit was ordered to advance on the Chongchon River in preparation for an operation to push North Korean forces back to the Yala River; he was last seen on the night of November 25, 1950, when enemy forces launched a series of relentless attacks that continued until morning; and
WHEREAS, after the war, a group of American soldiers who had been held at the Pukchin-Tarigol Camp Cluster reported that Sergeant Rowe had died in captivity; and
WHEREAS, it took several decades of hard work and dedication by skilled diplomats, military personnel, medical professionals, and family members to identify and bring Sergeant Rowe's earthly remains home for burial; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Rowe's family made tremendous sacrifices and endured great distress in the 67 years they waited before he was brought home; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Rowe's service is a solemn reminder of the perils faced by the thousands of American men and women in uniform who willingly go into harm's way in defense of the United States; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Sergeant Willie Rowe, USA, who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Korean War; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Sergeant Willie Rowe, USA, as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.