WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Edward Colston Newton V, USA, a highly admired member of the Northern Neck community who proudly served his country in the United States Armed Forces, died on July 11, 2018; and

WHEREAS, born at Fort Polk, Louisiana, Colston "Coley" Newton grew up in Hague and neighboring Kinsale in Westmoreland County, where he cultivated his love of the outdoors and began to earn his lifelong reputation as a skilled hunter and fisherman; and

WHEREAS, Coley Newton graduated from the Blue Ridge School in Saint George and attended Ferrum College; he was a standout football player at both schools, achieving local recognition for his dedication, toughness, and tenacity as an offensive and defensive lineman; and

WHEREAS, Coley Newton joined the United States Army to serve and safeguard his fellow Americans and rose through the ranks to become a master sergeant of infantry, earning the coveted Ranger Tab and Master Parachutist Badge; and

WHEREAS, Coley Newton served in the 101st Airborne Division and the 82nd Airborne Division as a team leader, squad leader, platoon sergeant, and jump master; in 2006, he began his first of 14 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, during most of which he was a member of the United States Army Asymmetric Warfare Group; and

WHEREAS, in May 2018, the Northern Neck chapter of the Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution presented Coley Newton with the organization's Heroism Award for his legacy of courage and self-sacrifice in service to the community and the nation; and

WHEREAS, Coley Newton will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Katherine; his son, Lee; his mother, Jane; his father, Edward; his brother, John; his sister, Cynthia; his beloved brothers of war; and numerous other family members and friends; 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 Master Sergeant Edward Colston Newton V, USA; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Master Sergeant Edward Colston Newton V, USA, as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.