HJ542: Celebrating the life of Special Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Thomas John Valentine.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 542
Offered February 29, 2008
Celebrating the life of Special Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Thomas John Valentine.
Patron-- Suit

WHEREAS, United State Navy Special Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Thomas John Valentine of Hampton Roads died February 13, 2008, during a pre-deployment training exercise in Arizona; and

WHEREAS, Senior Chief Valentine, a 20-year Navy veteran, was assigned to the Naval Special Warfare Development Group in Virginia Beach; and

WHEREAS, a native of Minnesota, Senior Chief Valentine enlisted in the United States Navy after graduating from high school in 1989, and after completing Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in 1990, he reported to an East Coast-based SEAL team, where he remained for the rest of his career; and

WHEREAS, a role model, mentor, and incredible leader, Senior Chief Valentine served his country with valor during multiple tours to Afghanistan and Iraq; he epitomized the SEALs’ complete commitment to excellence; and

WHEREAS, Senior Chief Petty Officer Valentine belonged to a select group within the SEALs, whose members liken themselves to pirates with blue in their blood and have been known to encourage teammates with the motto, "Don't give up the bones"; and

WHEREAS, during his service, Senior Chief Valentine was awarded three Bronze Star Medals with Combat “V” for Valor, two Joint Service Commendation Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals with Combat “V” for Valor, two Navy Achievement Medals, three Combat Action Ribbons, five Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, and two Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation Awards among many other decorations; and

WHEREAS, Senior Chief Valentine will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Christina, and their children, John and Meghan; his parents, Jack and Katie; his brother, Tim; his sister, Susie; and countless other family members, friends, and teammates; and

WHEREAS, Senior Chief Petty Officer Valentine’s death is a reminder of the hazards faced daily by the thousands of Americans who serve in our armed forces, 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, Special Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Thomas John Valentine; 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 Special Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Thomas John Valentine, 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.