HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5174 Offered September 28, 2006 Celebrating the life of Petty Officer Second Class David Roddy. ----------
Patrons-- Ward, Abbitt, Albo, Alexander, Amundson, Armstrong, Athey, BaCote, Barlow, Bowling, Brink, Bulova, Byron, Callahan, Caputo, Carrico, Cline, Cosgrove, Cox, Crockett-Stark, Dance, Dudley, Ebbin, Eisenberg, Englin, Fralin, Frederick, Gear, Gilbert, Griffith, Hall, Hamilton, Hargrove, Hogan, Howell, A.T., Hull, Hurt, Iaquinto, Ingram, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, D.C., Jones, S.C., Kilgore, Landes, Lewis, Lingamfelter, Marsden, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., May, McClellan, McEachin, Melvin, Miller, Moran, Nixon, Nutter, Oder, Peace, Phillips, Plum, Poisson, Purkey, Putney, Rapp, Reid, Rust, Saxman, Scott, E.T., Scott, J.M., Shannon, Shuler, Sickles, Spruill, Suit, Tata, Toscano, Tyler, Valentine, Waddell, Wardrup, Ware, O., Ware, R.L., Watts and Wright
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WHEREAS,  Petty Officer Second Class David Roddy, a brave member of the United States Navy's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Two based in Norfolk, died in the line of duty on September 16, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Petty Officer Second Class David Roddy was born on April 1, 1974, in Baltimore, Maryland, and enlisted in the United States Navy on September 27, 1999; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, David Roddy completed Electronics Technician “A” School on July 19, 2000; and

WHEREAS, an exceptional sailor determined to gain advanced training and experience, Petty Officer Second Class David Roddy was assigned to the USS Juneau (LPD 10) home ported in Sasebo, Japan, and earned Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist; he was recognized as the Sailor of the Year for 2002; and

WHEREAS, Petty Officer Second Class David Roddy was responsible for multiple electronic and radar systems vital to the USS Juneau's mission as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces supporting the Pacific Fleet; and

WHEREAS, following a successful tour, Petty Officer Second Class David Roddy was selected for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training and reported to the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, graduating as an EOD diver on May 20, 2004; and

WHEREAS, after further training in San Diego, California, Petty Officer Second Class David Roddy was assigned to EOD Mobile Unit Two in Little Creek, Virginia, where he completed communications, small arms, navigation, and Helicopter Rope Suspension Training; and

WHEREAS, for his loyal and valiant service in the line of duty, Petty Officer Second Class David Roddy received numerous awards, including the Navy Battle “E,” three Navy Achievement Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, two Good Conduct Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, three Navy Overseas Service Ribbons, and three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons; and

WHEREAS, Petty Officer Second Class David Roddy was an amiable man and devoted father and husband, who immensely enjoyed life and will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Cristale, and his wonderful children, Jessica, Michael, and Matthew; his father, Bob; a host of loving family and friends; and his compatriots at Little Creek in Norfolk; and

WHEREAS, Petty Officer Second Class David Roddy'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, Petty Officer Second Class David Roddy; 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 Petty Officer Second Class David Roddy 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.