HCR 15 — House concurrent resolution congratulating former Bennington Acting Police Chief Wally Mattison on his centennial birthday

R-20State Pageof 1Vermont House of 1Representatives No.Montpelier, Vermont Concurrent House Resolution H.C.R.

R-20.15 Offered by Representatives Morrissey of Bennington, Cooper of Pownal, Corcoran of Bennington, Durfee of Shaftsbury, Greer of Bennington, Hunter of Manchester, James of Manchester, Nigro of Bennington, and Pinsonault of Dorset Offered by Senators Bongartz and Plunkett House concurrent resolution congratulating former Bennington Acting Police Chief Wally Mattison on his centennial birthday Whereas, Wally Mattison, whose illustrious service on behalf of his nation and hometown is highly noteworthy, and he is greatly admired in Bennington, and Whereas, he was born on September 5, 1924 in Bennington, growing up in a large family with seven siblings, and Whereas, in 1943, during the height of World War II, teenager Wally Mattison was inducted into the U.S.

HouseArmy, and concurrentWhereas, resolutionin congratulatingMarch former1944, Benningtonupon Actingcompletion Policeof Chieflight machine-gunner training, he was deployed to the European Theater of Operations and assigned to the 29th Infantry Division, landing in France shortly after D-Day and serving as a frontline participant in the Normandy Campaign, and Whereas, on September 12, 1944, Wally Mattison sustained a bullet wound to his lower back and was awarded both a Purple Heart and later the French Medal of Honor—that nation’s highest civil and military decoration, and Whereas, near the conclusion of hostilities in Europe, he served in Germany, behind enemy lines, and was assigned the duty of checking houses for weapons and soldiers, and Whereas, following his honorable military discharge, Wally Mattison returned home to Bennington, embarking on a distinguished 40-year career as a member of the Bennington Police Department, rising to the rank of captain, and retiring as the department’s much respected acting chief, and Whereas, in September 2024, a festive celebration, including his centennialchildren, birthday.grandchildren, and great-grandchildren;

(H.C.R.15)co- Offeredworkers; by Representatives Morrissey of Bennington, Cooper of Pownal, Corcoran of Bennington, Durfee of Shaftsbury, Greer of Bennington, Hunter of Manchester, James of Manchester, Nigro of Bennington, and Pinsonault of Dorset Offered by Senators Bongartz and Plunkett Whereas, Wally Mattison, whose illustrious service on behalf of his nation and hometown is highly noteworthy, and he is greatly admired in Bennington, and Whereas, he was born on September 5, 1924 in Bennington, growing up in a large family with seven siblings, and Whereas, in 1943, during the height of World War II, teenager Wally Mattison was inducted into the U.S.

Army, and Whereas,many infriends, March 1944, upon completion of light machine-gunner training, he was deployedheld toat the EuropeanBennington TheaterElks ofClub Operations and assigned to the 29th Infantry Division, landing in France shortly after D-Day and serving as a frontline participant in the Normandy Campaign, and Whereas, on September 12, 1944, Wally Mattison sustained a bullet wound to his lower back and was awarded both a Purple Heart and later the Frenchoccasion Medal of Honor—his that100th nation’sbirthday, highest civil and military decoration, and Whereas, nearat the conclusionevent, ofthe hostilitiesBennington inSheriff Europe,announced he served in Germany, behind enemy lines, and was assigned the dutyestablishment of checkingan housesannual for$1,000 weaponsscholarship andin soldiers, and Whereas, following his honorable military discharge, Wally MattisonMattison’s returnedhonor home to Bennington,be embarkingawarded onto a distinguisheddeserving 40-yearrecipient careeraspiring asto a memberlaw ofenforcement thecareer, Benningtonnow therefore be it PoliceResolved Department,by rising to the rankSenate of captain, and retiringHouse asof theRepresentatives: department’s much respected acting chief, and Whereas, in September 2024, a festive celebration, including his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren;

co-workers;

and many friends, was held at the Bennington Elks Club on the occasion of his 100th birthday, and Whereas, at the event, the Bennington Sheriff announced the establishment of an annual $1,000 scholarship in Wally Mattison’s honor to be awarded to a deserving recipient aspiring to a law enforcement career, now therefore be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:

VT LEG #382036 v.1