2025 SESSION

ENROLLED

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 227

Celebrating the life of Leon Foster Pope.

Agreed to by the Senate, January 30, 2025

WHEREAS, Leon Foster Pope, a respected resident of Frederick County and a patriotic veteran who served the nation during World War II as a member of the United States Army, died on August 30, 2024, at the age of 99; and

WHEREAS, Leon Pope grew up in Winchester and graduated from Handley High School, where he played basketball under the legendary coach Hunter Maddex and was later inducted into the school's Hunter Maddex Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Leon Pope joined many of the other young men of his generation in service to the nation during World War II as a member of the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, Leon Pope was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division and participated in the D-Day Invasion of Normandy, France, landing under heavy fire on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944; and

WHEREAS, for the next several months, Leon Pope continued to serve courageously during the liberation of France, earning a Bronze Star for his meritorious actions, as well as two Purple Hearts for wounds sustained in combat; he returned to the United States in March 1945 due to a noncombat-related injury; and

WHEREAS, Leon Pope attended Elon College in North Carolina through the GI Bill, ran a sporting goods store in downtown Winchester, then pursued careers with Potomac Edison Electric Company for 20 years and VDO North America for 17 years; and

WHEREAS, after returning to Winchester, Leon Pope served and safeguarded his fellow members of the community as a founding member of Greenwood Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, and he enjoyed fellowship and worship with the congregation of Braddock Street United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, in later life, Leon Pope continued to support his fellow veterans and traveled to France to help mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day at a special ceremony in 2019; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his wife of nearly 70 years, Doris, and one son, Monte, Leon Pope will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Gregg, Pamela, and Michele; his children's families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Leon Foster Pope, a member of the Greatest Generation and a highly admired member of the Winchester community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Leon Foster Pope as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.