WHEREAS, Eli Linden, an honorable veteran and member of "The Greatest Generation," served his country with courage and valor during World War II; and

WHEREAS, in January 1943 at the age of 19, Eli Linden received his draft notice and subsequently reported to Fort McClellan in Alabama for basic training; and

WHEREAS, after completing additional training in England in May 1944, Eli Linden landed at Omaha Beach three weeks after D-Day as a replacement with the 90th Infantry Division; and

WHEREAS, Eli Linden was then wounded by shrapnel during the Battle of the Hedgerows, an intense period of fighting between American and German forces during the summer of 1944; and

WHEREAS, following a three-month recovery in England, Eli Linden returned to France and joined the 90th Infantry Division of General George S. Patton's Third United States Army as a member of its forward scout team; and

WHEREAS, while serving as a scout, Eli Linden bravely patrolled ahead of his platoon and beyond the Siegfried Line to collect valuable intel that would help prevent his fellow soldiers from being ambushed; and

WHEREAS, Eli Linden was later captured by German soldiers and became a prisoner of war at Stalag IV-B, one of the largest prisoner-of-war camps in Germany during World War II; and

WHEREAS, Eli Linden endured pleurisy, impetigo, and frostbite and survived harrowing conditions while imprisoned at Stalag IV-B; he was ultimately liberated in May 1945 by Russian Cossacks, walking five miles and crossing the Elbe River to reach safety behind American lines; and

WHEREAS, arriving home shortly thereafter, Eli Linden enjoyed a one-month furlough before concluding his service at Camp Shelby in Mississippi, where he trained for the possibility of an invasion of Japan; and

WHEREAS, over many years, Eli Linden has shared his wartime experiences with various audiences, including middle school students in Loudoun County as part of Loudoun County Public Schools' World War II history curriculum; and

WHEREAS, Eli Linden's dedication and sacrifice during World War II epitomized the virtues of the United States Armed Forces and will be an inspiration to Americans for many generations to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Eli Linden hereby be commended for his valorous and extraordinary efforts in service to the nation during World War II; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Eli Linden as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his service.