HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5158 Offered September 27, 2006 Celebrating the life of Private First Class Edwin Anthony Andino II. ---------- Patrons-- Scott, E.T., Bell and Lingamfelter; Senator: Houck ----------

WHEREAS, Private First Class Edwin Anthony Andino II of Culpeper died in the line of duty in Baghdad, Iraq, on September 3, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Edwin "E.J." Andino graduated from Madison County High School in 2001 and was the only son of Cathy Jean Andino of Reva, Virginia, and Edwin Anthony Andino of Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, in order to expand his education and career opportunities and make his loved ones proud, E.J. Andino enlisted in the United States Army on September 3, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Private First Class Andino, aged 23, died as a hero supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom during combat operations in Baghdad, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle; and

WHEREAS, Private First Class Andino was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division headquartered in Wurzburg, Germany; and

WHEREAS, E.J. Andino was awarded the Army Achievement Medal and promoted to private first class after excelling in training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and was honored posthumously with the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Combat "V"; and

WHEREAS, E.J. Andino will be fondly remembered as a hard worker, an avid guitarist who loved heavy metal music, and a compassionate and caring person and will be missed by his parents, his girlfriend, Jennifer, and his best friend, Chad; other family members and friends; and the congregation of Bethel Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, Private First Class Andino's death is a reminder of the perils faced daily by the thousands of young Americans who serve in our armed forces overseas and whose devotion to duty places them in harm's way; 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 courageous and patriotic Virginian, Private First Class Edwin Anthony Andino II; 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 Private First Class Edwin Anthony Andino II as an expression of the high regard in which his memory is held by the members of the General Assembly and the citizens of Virginia.