HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5035 Offered April 19, 2006 Celebrating the life of Thomas A. Hill. ---------- Patrons-- Bulova and Brink; Senator: Whipple ----------

WHEREAS, Thomas A. Hill of Arlington, the Army National Guard's longest-serving civilian employee and a former master sergeant and warrant officer, died on February 12, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Thomas "Tommy" Hill was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, served his country as a private in Company G, 176th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division of the Virginia National Guard, was promoted through the ranks to warrant officer, and was discharged from active duty in July 1946; and

WHEREAS, Tommy Hill loved to sing and was an enthusiastic member of the “Singing Sergeants" in the Army War College Glee Club; and

WHEREAS, Tommy Hill served in the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, at the United States Department of the Interior, and at the Department of War, where he was transferred to Fort Monroe at Hampton Roads with Army Field Forces; and

WHEREAS, on a visit to Fort Monroe in 1948, National Guard Bureau (NGB) staff learned of Tommy Hill’s capabilities and he was moved from Army Field Forces to NGB in October 1948 and assigned to the Military Education Branch; and

WHEREAS, Tommy Hill was extremely proud that he was responsible for developing and organizing the state Officer Candidate School programs, including the Virginia school; and

WHEREAS, Tommy Hill was instrumental in the planning and organization of the Army National Guard's move from its Pentagon facilities to the new Army National Guard Readiness Center in Arlington in 1990-1992; and

WHEREAS, Tommy Hill was a training and resource officer for many years in support of Fort Pickett and Fort A.P. Hill; and

WHEREAS, in 1985 Tommy Hill's assistance was key to the Army National Guard's reorganization of the 29th Infantry Division; the famed "Blue and Gray" Division is the only light infantry division in the entire reserve component of the Army National Guard and is headquartered at Fort Belvoir; and

WHEREAS, Tommy Hill knew everything there was to know about the history and function of the Army National Guard, and his extensive knowledge and expertise were highly valued by new recruits, as well as seasoned veterans; and

WHEREAS, more than any other single individual, Tommy Hill mentored numerous National Guard men and women and was well-known at the Army National Guard Readiness Center as "Mr. National Guard"; and

WHEREAS, through his patience and civility, Tommy Hill inspired countless new chiefs, directors, and other civilians, the nation's future leaders, and by example demonstrated excellence in public service; and

WHEREAS, Tommy Hill will be remembered for his dedication to the Army National Guard, for his generous and amiable nature, and will be missed by his devoted wife Olga, his loving children, and other family members, and his numerous friends, colleagues, and admirers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of a great patriot and outstanding Virginian, Thomas A. Hill; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Thomas A. Hill as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.