Bill Text: VA HJR251 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Bernard A. Strother, Jr.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-06 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ251ER) [HJR251 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HJR251-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Bernard A. Strother, Jr., a beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, honorable and distinguished veteran, firefighter, and law-enforcement officer, and cherished member of the Richmond community, died on August 17, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Bernard "Bernie" A. Strother, Jr., began his career in service to others as a junior volunteer firefighter at King George Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services while he was still attending King George High School; and
WHEREAS, after graduating in 2011, Bernie Strother enlisted with the United States Marine Corps and served at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, where he earned the rank of Corporal E-4 as an aircraft rescue and firefighter specialist; and
WHEREAS, Bernie Strother received many medals and accolades in recognition of his service to the country, including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal; and
WHEREAS, after honorably retiring from the United States Marine Corps in 2015, Bernie Strother admirably served his community with the Falmouth Volunteer Fire Department and as a law-enforcement officer with the Fredericksburg Police Department and later the Essex County Sheriff's Office; and
WHEREAS, Bernie Strother's passion for firefighting led him to devote himself to serving as a firefighter full time; after working his way up as a firefighter and emergency medical technician with Spotsylvania County Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management, he joined Richmond Fire Department, Station 6, in January 2023; and
WHEREAS, Bernie Strother epitomized servant leadership through his unwavering commitment to helping others, protecting his community, and assisting in any way he could; and
WHEREAS, Bernie Strother was baptized at Le Detroit Baptist Church in Oxon Hill, Maryland, and he remained guided and motivated by his faith throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, Bernie Strother will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving parents, Ellis and Avis; his siblings, Ellis, Kasey, Nichole, and Stephanie; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Bernard A. Strother, Jr., a treasured member of the Richmond community whose legacy of service as a veteran, firefighter, and law-enforcement officer will inspire others for years to come; 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 Bernard A. Strother, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
