2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26100570D

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 8

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled November 20, 2025

Commending Julius Shoulars.

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Patron—DeSteph

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WHEREAS, Julius Shoulars of Virginia Beach, a member of the Greatest Generation who served in defense of the nation during World War II, celebrated his 100th birthday in 2025; and

WHEREAS, born on April 19, 1925, Julius Shoulars endured the Great Depression in his youth and was a student at Maury High School in Norfolk when the United States entered World War II; and

WHEREAS, shortly after graduating from high school in 1943, Julius Shoulars received his draft notice and reported to Richmond, where he volunteered for the United States Navy; and

WHEREAS, Julius Shoulars trained at Sampson U.S. Naval Training Station in New York and Camp Bradford in Hampton Roads; he mustered at Norfolk's Nansemond Hotel, which had been commandeered as the headquarters of Amphibious Training Command, United States Atlantic Fleet; and

WHEREAS, Julius Shoulars joined the 7th Naval Beach Battalion, an experimental unit designed to manage logistics, troop movements, and casualty evacuation during amphibious operations, and deployed to England in 1944; and

WHEREAS, the 7th Naval Beach Battalion was attached the 29th Infantry Division, which stormed Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944; Julius Shoulars and the rest of his unit were initially forced to turn back due to heavy casualties on the beach and ultimately landed the following day; and

WHEREAS, as a member of the 7th Naval Beach Battalion, Julius Shoulars spent about a month on Omaha Beach clearing obstacles, directing landing craft, and moving supplies; he was also responsible for the solemn task of burying his comrades who had made the ultimate sacrifice during the operation; and

WHEREAS, with Omaha Beach secure and the liberation of France underway, Julius Shoulars returned to Norfolk until he was assigned to the USS Karnes, a newly commissioned attack transport bound for the Pacific Theater of the war; and

WHEREAS, Julius Shoulars served aboard the USS Karnes for 18 months, island hopping from Pearl Harbor and Midway Atoll to Guam, Tinian, Okinawa, Eniwetok Atoll, Ulithi Atoll, and the Philippines, covering more than 76,750 miles; the ship was primarily responsible for transporting cargo, moving personnel, and evacuating wounded; and

WHEREAS, after the surrender of Japan, Julius Shoulars returned to San Francisco with the USS Karnes, then boarded a train to Norfolk, where one of his first stops was the local landmark, Doumar's Cones and Barbecue; he married his beloved wife, Ruby, shortly after his return home, and the couple enjoyed 66 years together until her passing in 2013; and

WHEREAS, Julius Shoulars has honored the service and sacrifices of his fellow veterans by participating in commemorative events and historical programs; he has returned to France five times, often taking friends and family members to help them learn more about the pivotal events of D-Day and the operation's impact on not only the course of the war but also world history; and

WHEREAS, Julius Shoulars is an exemplar of the courage, patriotism, and selfless dedication to duty that defined his generation, and he has worked diligently to impart these values to young people as a trusted mentor and a highly admired community leader; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Julius Shoulars on the occasion of his 100th birthday for his service to the Commonwealth and the United States; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Julius Shoulars as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his legacy of achievements.