WHEREAS, Colonel Frank Salimbene, USA, Ret., an honorable veteran, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, and treasured member of the Williamsburg community, died on June 2, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Frank Salimbene graduated from Martins Ferry High School in Martins Ferry, Ohio, in 1947 and attended The Ohio State University before he joined the United States Army in 1952 to serve in the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, after training as a medic and attending Officer Candidate School, Frank Salimbene trained as a paratrooper and became a U.S. Army Ranger and a member of the U.S. Army Special Forces, commonly known as the Green Berets, and the 11th Airborne Division; and

WHEREAS, Frank Salimbene earned the designation of master parachutist over more than 300 parachute jumps and two tours in Vietnam and was awarded two Combat Infantry Badges, the Bronze Star for Valor, the Army Meritorious Service Award, and a Purple Heart for his combat service; and

WHEREAS, Frank Salimbene was a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College and earned a bachelor's degree from Chaminade University of Honolulu and a master's degree in international relations from the University of Southern California; and

WHEREAS, Frank Salimbene gave generously of his time in support of his community over the years, serving as president of the Rotary Club of East Lansing in Michigan and of the chapters of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) in Williamsburg and Pinehurst, North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Frank Salimbene supported his fellow veterans as a lifetime member of MOAA, the Special Forces Association, and the U.S. Army War College; and

WHEREAS, Frank Salimbene was a master mason who was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Neoacacia Lodge #595 of Ohio and of the Scottish Rite of Coudersport Consistory in Coudersport, Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, preceded in death by his loving wife, Patricia, Frank Salimbene will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his children, Jodi and Jill, and their families and by numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Colonel Frank Salimbene, USA, Ret., a distinguished veteran and cherished member of the Williamsburg community whose dedication and legacy of service inspired all who knew him; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Colonel Frank Salimbene, USA, Ret., as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.