HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 96 Offered January 9, 2008 Prefiled January 7, 2008 Celebrating the life of Albert J. Wright, Sr. ---------- Patrons-- Bulova and Watts ----------

WHEREAS, Albert J. Wright, Sr., of Annandale, a distinguished career military officer in the United States Army and longtime community volunteer, died on November 1, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Albert Wright was born on March 8, 1925, in Binnewater, New York, and was a 1972 graduate of the University of Maryland, earning a bachelor's degree over the course of 17 years and many military assignments; and

WHEREAS, Albert Wright was drafted into the United States Army in 1943 at the age of 17, but could not be sworn in until he turned 18, and he served his country with honor until 1973; and

WHEREAS, during World War II, Major Wright was a member of the 1st Infantry Division, known as "The Big Red One," and he participated in the D-Day invasion at Omaha Beach in Normandy and saw combat in France, Germany, and Central Europe, and in Belgium at the Battle of the Bulge; and

WHEREAS, at the end of the war, Major Wright was assigned to Germany where he met his future wife, the late Kathryn R. Wright, who died in 2006; and

WHEREAS, Major Wright was an administrative and personnel officer for most of his military career and also worked in the intelligence community; he was stationed all over the world, including in England, Czechoslovakia, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, and various posts in the United States, and his final active-duty assignment was with the Army Material Command at the Pentagon; and

WHEREAS, Major Wright received numerous military awards during his service, including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star, and three Army Commendation Medals; and

WHEREAS, after retiring from the military, Albert Wright gave his time and many talents to numerous civic and professional organizations over the years, including as a founding member of what is now the Military Officers Association of America, and as a member of the Salvation Army's Board of Advisors, the Salvation Army's substance abuse rehabilitation centers in both Annandale and Fairfax, the Association of Former Intelligence Officers, and the National Association for Uniformed Services; and

WHEREAS, Albert Wright was a five-time Paul Harris Fellow and a past president, historian, and newsletter editor for the Annandale Chapter of Rotary International; and

WHEREAS, because of his vast knowledge and expertise in history and the military, Governor Charles Robb appointed Albert Wright a member of the Virginia Korean - Vietnam War History Commission; and

WHEREAS, Albert Wright worked as a volunteer in the White House Greetings Office from 1981 until 2006 and received the first ever Volunteer of the Week award in January 2006; he also served as a docent in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and gave tours to visiting dignitaries; and

WHEREAS, Albert Wright was a past member of St. Michael's Catholic Church and a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, both in Annandale, and was active in the many missions of each church in the community; and

WHEREAS, Albert Wright will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his four children, Carolyn, Albert, Marilyn, and Robert and their wonderful families, including 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; his numerous other family members and friends; and the citizens of Annandale; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly note with great sadness the passing of a fine military officer, community volunteer, and outstanding Virginian, Albert J. Wright, Sr.; 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 Albert J. Wright, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.