HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 764 Offered January 18, 2007 Celebrating the life of Specialist Eric Thomas Caldwell. ---------- Patrons-- Morgan; Senator: Norment ----------

WHEREAS, United States Army Specialist Eric Thomas Caldwell, a resident of Gloucester, died in the line of duty in Iraq on January 7, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Eric Caldwell was born in Maryland and lived in Maryland and Florida before moving to Gloucester in 1999 and attending Gloucester High School; and

WHEREAS, after obtaining his high school diploma, Eric Caldwell joined the Maryland National Guard and then enlisted in the Army in 2005; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Caldwell served as a combat engineer with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Calvary Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division based at Fort Hood, Texas; and

WHEREAS, deployed with his division in October 2006, Specialist Caldwell was killed when his unit was attacked by small-arms fire while on patrol in Baghdad; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Caldwell was devoted to his family and especially enjoyed gatherings with his almost 30 cousins, where he often chose to spend time with his younger cousins, playing with them and making them laugh; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Caldwell will be fondly remembered for his great sense of humor and his love of cooking and will be keenly missed by his parents and his two sisters, and many other family members and friends; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Caldwell's death is a reminder of the hazards 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, Specialist Eric Thomas Caldwell; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Specialist Eric Thomas Caldwell 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.