HJ331: Celebrating the life of Petty Officer First Class (SEAL) Jason D. Lewis.

WHEREAS, Petty Officer First Class (SEAL) Jason D. Lewis, United States Navy, died July 6, 2007, as a result of enemy action while conducting combat operations in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Petty Officer Lewis was stationed at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek in Norfolk at the time of his deployment to Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Jason Lewis was born in Danbury, Connecticut, and in July 1996, after graduating from Murdock High School, he enlisted in the Navy and completed basic training at Naval Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois, in November of that same year; and

WHEREAS, in February 1997, Petty Officer Lewis entered Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in Coronado, California, and upon completion of the program there, he took part in advanced SEAL training courses, including parachute training, at Basic Airborne School at Fort Benning , Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Petty Officer Lewis was assigned to a West Coast-based SEAL team in October 1997, where he remained for several years; in March 2004, he reported to the Naval Special Warfare Center in Coronado, California, and then in January 2006, he transferred to Naval Special Warfare Group Two, a SEAL team based in Norfolk; and

WHEREAS, during his service, Petty Officer Lewis was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy "E" Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, Expert Rifleman Medal, and Expert Pistol Shot Medal; and

WHEREAS, Petty Officer Lewis embodied the Navy core values of honor, courage, and commitment in all he did, and he never wavered in his strong sense of duty and enthusiasm for public service whether in training or on the battlefield; and

WHEREAS, Petty Officer Lewis was devoted to his wife and three children and will be greatly missed by them and other family members, friends, and teammates; and

WHEREAS, Petty Officer Lewis’ death is a reminder of the perils faced daily by the thousands of 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 American, Petty Officer First Class (SEAL) Jason D. Lewis; 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 First Class (SEAL) Jason D. Lewis, United States Navy, as an expression of the high regard in which his memory is held by the members of the General Assembly and the citizens of the Commonwealth.