Bill Text: VA SJR191 | 2022 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending J. David Bailey.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)
Status: (Passed) 2022-03-10 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ191ER) [SJR191 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2022-SJR191-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, J. David Bailey, an honorable and distinguished veteran and resident of Alexandria who is believed to be the oldest living survivor of the Battle of the Bulge, celebrated his 100th birthday on January 3, 2022; and
WHEREAS, David Bailey served his country valiantly during World War II as a member of Company F of the 442nd Regiment of the 106th Infantry Division of the United States Army; and
WHEREAS, landing in Le Havre, France, on December 3, 1944, and traveling to St. Vith, Belgium, a week later, David Bailey and his fellow troops would be caught by a German surprise attack on December 16 in what would later become known as the Battle of the Bulge, one of the largest and bloodiest battles of World War II; and
WHEREAS, although David Bailey's entire battalion was captured during the battle, he was able to escape and survive, appearing later on the cover of a victory edition of Stars and Stripes in the final days of the war; and
WHEREAS, David Bailey has helped to honor and preserve the history of World War II through his work with the Battle of the Bulge Association, serving as president of the organization from 2010 to 2012 and continuing to regularly attend board meetings and national reunions as an elected official to this day; and
WHEREAS, David Bailey had the distinction of being one of the veterans to lay the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery at an event on January 25, 2022, commemorating the end of the Battle of the Bulge; and
WHEREAS, David Bailey has been present at various other World War II commemorations over the years, including the opening of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the 70th Anniversary of V-E Day ceremony held at that site on May 8, 2015, and was a guest of President Barack Obama at the White House on Veterans Day in 2011; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his heroism in support of the Allied war effort, David Bailey was recently bestowed the National Order of the Legion of Honour, the highest French order of merit, and received the Order of St. Maurice medallion from the National Infantry Association in 2012; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend J. David Bailey on the occasion of his centennial birthday; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to J. David Bailey as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his service to the country and high regard for his impressive and inspirational life.
