Bill Text: VA HJR310 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Lieutenant Colonel Richard C. Oertel, USA, Ret.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-06 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ310ER) [HJR310 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HJR310-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Richard C. Oertel, USA, Ret., ably served and supported active duty service members, veterans, and military families throughout the Commonwealth as commander of the American Legion Department of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, Richard "Rick" C. Oertel began his military career with the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii after graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point; he later served in Australia, Korea, and other posts across the United States, earning numerous awards and decorations for his exemplary service; and
WHEREAS, Rick Oertel continued his education by earning a master's degree from the University of Southern California, then graduated from what is now known as the Joint Forces Staff College; he also served as an assistant professor of military science and adjutant at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and
WHEREAS, Rick Oertel retired from the United States Army in 1994 as the deputy director and senior military analyst at The Research and Analysis Center at what is now Fort Gregg-Adams; he subsequently worked for the U.S. Department of Taxation and provided his leadership and expertise to several banks; and
WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service to the Commonwealth, Rick Oertel served as a legislative aide to the Honorable M. Kirkland Cox, former speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, and was a founding member of American Veterans Vote; and
WHEREAS, Rick Oertel supported and advocated for his fellow veterans as a longtime member and the former adjutant for American Legion Post 284 in Colonial Heights and as the district commander of the American Legion Department of Virginia's 11th District, for which he earned the prestigious 2011–2012 Virginia District Commander of the Year award; and
WHEREAS, through his work with the American Legion, Rick Oertel implemented an email service to keep members informed and organized, conducted Memorial Day and Labor Day ceremonies, created a mailing list for distribution of the post's newsletter, helped plan Post 284 and the 11th District's "Legion Day on the Hill," and participated in a number of community service projects; and
WHEREAS, Rick Oertel also devoted considerable time and energy to helping members and other veterans with receiving benefits, awards, and medals; he served as an instructor at the American Legion National College and as chair of the American Legion National Aerospace Committee; and
WHEREAS, Rick Oertel was elected as the vice commander for the American Legion Department of Virginia, earning the Vice Commander of the Year Award in 2018, and was elected as commander of the American Legion Department of Virginia for 2022–2023; and
WHEREAS, Rick Oertel continues to serve his fellow veterans as chair of the American Legion's National Legislative Council, which advocates for veterans at the national level by providing valuable resources and information to government officials, and he has inspired young people as the assistant director of the Virginia Boys State of the American Legion; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Lieutenant Colonel Richard C. Oertel, USA, Ret., for his outstanding service as commander of the American Legion Department of Virginia; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Lieutenant Colonel Richard C. Oertel, USA, Ret., as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his legacy of service to veterans throughout the Commonwealth.
