Bill Text: VA SJR325 | 2021 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Harold J. Roesch II.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2021-02-01 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ325ER) [SJR325 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2021-SJR325-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Harold J. Roesch II, a dedicated advocate for our military, veterans, and their families for more than 40 years, was elected commander-in-chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States in 2020; and
WHEREAS, Harold Roesch is the first Virginian to be elected as commander-in-chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States since the organization was founded in 1899; and
WHEREAS, beginning his military service in 1982, Harold Roesch served 20 years in the United States Air Force, rising to the rank of master sergeant; and
WHEREAS, Harold Roesch deployed six times, including a tour for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, and served on the development team for the F-35 Lightning II stealth multirole fighter; and
WHEREAS, while deployed to Saudi Arabia in 1996 and working by day on the flight line, Harold Roesch volunteered at night to support the Federal Bureau of Investigation's search for evidence at the Khobar Towers site after terrorists killed 19 U.S. Air Force personnel with a truck bomb; and
WHEREAS, Harold Roesch joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States in 1991 and has served in leadership positions at all levels of the organization, earning the trust and confidence of his fellow veterans; and
WHEREAS, upon his election as the 2008–2009 commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Virginia, Harold Roesch appointed the first female veterans advocate and created the first female veterans advisory committee in the history of the organization, inspiring the national headquarters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States to do the same; and
WHEREAS, while serving as a national officer for the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Harold Roesch visited Vietnam to learn about and personally assist the efforts to recover missing United States military personnel; and
WHEREAS, upon his election as the 2020–2021 commander-in-chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Harold Roesch adopted a theme of "20/20 Vision for Veterans," presenting a heightened focus on promoting equality and inclusivity in the military and appointing younger and more diverse veterans to leadership positions; and
WHEREAS, as a Gold Legacy Life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3219 in Phoebus, Harold Roesch continues to mentor and inspire veterans to serve in their communities and to advocate for the military, veterans, and their families; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Harold J. Roesch II, commander-in-chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and a leader in the veterans community, on the occasion of his election as commander-in-chief; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Harold J. Roesch II as an expression of the General Assembly's profound respect and wholehearted admiration for his contributions to veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, and the Commonwealth.
