WHEREAS, Norton W. Hurd, who served his country during World War II as an aviator and touched many lives as a community volunteer and small business owner, celebrated his 104th birthday on September 15, 2020; and

WHEREAS, born in 1916, Norton Hurd grew up in Deltaville and graduated from what is now the University of Lynchburg, where he was a standout multisport athlete; he inspired young people as a teacher and coach at Amelia High School until the outset of World War II, when he volunteered to join the United States Naval Reserve Air Corps; and

WHEREAS, Norton Hurd was initially assigned to work as a pilot trainer but requested combat duty and was stationed aboard the USS Wasp; he participated in numerous missions, including the first dive-bombing raid of Tokyo harbor, and received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his gallantry; and

WHEREAS, after his honorable military service, Norton Hurd returned home to Virginia and founded Hurd's Home Appliances, now Hurd's TrueValue Hardware, in Deltaville; he earned a reputation for fairness and dependability, helping many local residents purchase their first appliances by granting sales on credit, and ultimately retired from the store at the age of 101; and

WHEREAS, Norton Hurd served and safeguarded the community as a member of Lower Middlesex County Volunteer Fire Department and the Middlesex County Volunteer Rescue Squad; prior to the creation of the 911 system in the county, his own phone number was the primary emergency number in Deltaville; and

WHEREAS, Norton Hurd offered his leadership and expertise to the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce, the Middlesex Airport Committee, the Lions Club, and the Bank of Middlesex, which became First Virginia Bank - Middle Peninsula during his tenure as board chair; and

WHEREAS, enjoying faith and fellowship with the community, Norton Hurd volunteered his time as a Sunday school teacher and moderator at Philippi Christian Church; and

WHEREAS, Norton Hurd has received many accolades for his personal and professional achievements, including awards from the Rotary Club of Middlesex County, the American Red Cross, and the University of Lynchburg, which inducted him into its Sports Hall of Fame in 1995; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Norton W. Hurd hereby be commended on the occasion of his 104th birthday; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Norton W. Hurd as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his lifetime of achievements in service to the Commonwealth and the United States.