SJ 355 — Celebrating the life of Colonel Rayburn Gene Smith, USA, Ret.

SESSION INTRODUCEDENROLLED 23105143D I SENATE JOfferedJOINT FebruaryRESOLUTION 16,NO. 2023 N Celebrating the life of Colonel Rayburn Gene Smith, USA, Ret.

––––––––––355 TE Patrons––RuffCelebrating andthe Peake;life of Colonel Rayburn Gene Smith, USA, Ret.

Delegates:N R Agreed to by the Senate, February 21, 2023 Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 22, 2023 O WHEREAS, Colonel Rayburn Gene Smith, USA, Ret., an honorable and distinguished veteran and L an active and beloved member of the Hat Creek community, died on December 22, 2022;

Adams,and L.R.L to study over the years at Virginia Commonwealth University, Liberty University, the United States E Army Command and General Staff College, and the United States Army War College;

and Edmunds R –––––––––– O WHEREAS, Colonel Rayburn Gene Smith,Smith USA,served Ret.,his ancountry honorableas anda distinguishedcommissioned veteranofficer andfor anmore activethan and34 belovedyears, memberD ofCavalry, theFirst HatCavalry CreekDivision community,(Airmobile); died on December 22, 2022;

andandip Dpilot towith studyC overTroop, theFirst yearsSquadron, atNinth VirginiaWHEREAS, Commonwealthfor University,his Libertyactive University,service, Gene Smith was awarded the UnitedMeritorious StatesService Medal, Air Medal for Valor with 26 Oak Leaf Clusters, Presidential Unit Citation, Army CommandReserve andComponents GeneralArmed StaffForces College,Reserve andMedal the(2nd Unitedaward), StatesArmy Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Unit Citation with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Master Army WarAviator College;Badge;

and S WHEREAS, Geneafter Smithretiring servedfrom hisactive countryservice, asGene aSmith commissionedbecame officerthe senior instructor for moreseveral than3 34Junior years,Reserve COfficers' includingTraining duringCorps theunits, Vietnamas Warwell as a Hueyhistory gunshipteacher pilotand withschool Cadministrator; Troop, First Squadron, Ninth E Cavalry, First Cavalry Division (Airmobile);

andEnd WHEREAS,contributed forgreatly histo active service, Gene Smith was awarded the Meritoriousacademic, Servicesocial, Medal,and Airemotional Dwell-being Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Vietnam Service Medal (3rd award), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (2nd award), Army Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnamhis Gallantrystudents; Cross Unit Citation with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Master Army Aviator Badge;

andandhe R WHEREAS, afterin retiringhis fromretirement, active service, Gene Smith becamegave thegenerously seniorof instructorhis fortime severaland Juniortalents Reserveto Officers'support Traininghis Corpsmost units,valued asinterests welland ascauses, avolunteering historywith teacherseveral civic and schoolhistorical administrator;organizations;

and WHEREAS,with Gene Smith concluded his civiliancommunity career at HalifaxHat CountyCreek HighPresbyterian School,Church wherefor hemany conWHEREAS,years; in his retirement, Gene Smith gave generously of his time and talents to support his most valued interests and causes, volunteering with several civic and historical organizations;

and WHEREAS,worship guidedand throughoutfellowship hisWHEREAS, life by his faith, Gene Smith enjoyedwill worshipbe andfondly fellowshipremembered withand hisdearly communitymissed atby Hathis Creekloving Presbyterianwife Churchof for51 manyyears, years;Anne Gray;

and WHEREAS, Gene Smith will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife of 51 years, Anne Gray;

and,andRESOLVED be it 34 RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for 35 presentation to the family of Colonel Rayburn Gene Smith, USA, Ret., as an expression of the General 37 Assembly's respect for his memory.