WHEREAS, Robert E. Dayton of Vinton, a decorated veteran of the United States military and active member of the community, passed away on January 9, 2013; and WHEREAS, Robert Dayton entered the United States Navy in 1950 and was assigned to the USS Union during the Korean War, spending most of that time on the West Coast and in the Far East near Japan and Korea; and WHEREAS, when his United States Navy enlistment ended in 1954, Robert Dayton then enlisted in the United States Air Force; and WHEREAS, Robert Dayton served honorably during the Korean War, the Cuban Crisis, and the Vietnam era and rose to the rank of senior master sergeant during his 23 years in the United States military; and WHEREAS, upon his retirement, Robert Dayton settled in Vinton and began work at the Federal Aviation Administration, working first at the Roanoke Regional Airport and then traveling throughout the Southeastern United States, specializing in emergency generator and electronic equipment installation and maintenance; and WHEREAS, a proponent of a strong national defense and conservative governing principles, Robert Dayton was an active member of the Roanoke County Republican Committee; and WHEREAS, Robert Dayton was a man of strong faith and was a longtime member of First Baptist Church, Roanoke; and WHEREAS, Robert Dayton and his wife of 50 years, Earnestine, affectionately known as "Pinky," enjoyed a happy marriage and spent significant portions of their retirement traveling around the nation that they love; and WHEREAS, Robert Dayton will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his wife, Pinky; son, Michael; grandchildren, Zach, Ashley, and Clay; and numerous other family members, friends, and neighbors; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of an esteemed citizen and true patriot, Robert E. Dayton; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Robert E. Dayton as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory. |