WHEREAS, Lieutenant J. Wesley Van Dorn, a devoted husband and father and a skilled United States Navy pilot who was proud to serve his country, died in the line of duty on January 8, 2014; and

WHEREAS, a native of Greensboro, North Carolina, Wesley Van Dorn graduated from Southeast Guilford High School, where he earned numerous academic honors and was a member of the tennis, lacrosse, and soccer teams; and

WHEREAS, Wesley Van Dorn attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and studied at the United States Military Academy; he graduated from the United States Naval Academy, where he had served on the honor council and was a standout member of the rugby team; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Van Dorn was assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14, based out of Norfolk; he had deployed to the Republic of Korea and Bahrain, where he and his team worked to serve and safeguard military and civilian sailors; and

WHEREAS, a respected leader, Lieutenant Van Dorn was preparing to take on new responsibilities as a flight instructor; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Van Dorn made the ultimate sacrifice while piloting an MH-53 Sea Dragon off the coast of Virginia during a training mission; and

WHEREAS, a devout man, Lieutenant Van Dorn lived his faith through his actions; he was admired for his compassion, strength, integrity, and ability to spread joy to everyone he met; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Van Dorn will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his loving wife, Nicole; sons, Jaxton and Maddox; parents, Mark and Susan; and numerous other family members, friends, and fellow service members; 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 Lieutenant J. Wesley Van Dorn; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Lieutenant J. Wesley Van Dorn as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.