WHEREAS, Raymond Campbell Young, a World War II veteran who made many contributions to the study of the American Civil War and the preservation of Civil War sites in the Commonwealth, died on March 4, 2013; and

WHEREAS, a native of New Jersey, Raymond Young joined the United States Navy at the age of 17 and proudly served his country during World War II in the Philippines, earning the Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and Philippine Liberation Ribbon; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Young returned to the United States after the conclusion of his honorable military service and embarked on a career in the railroad industry; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Young began his career as a fireman on steam locomotives with the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines and then became a respected operating engineer on diesel locomotives; and

WHEREAS, in June 1953, Raymond Young married the love of his life, Doris Schellinger, on live television as part of the popular CBS show Bride and Groom; the couple enjoyed 37 years of marriage until her passing; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Young remained loyal to his fellow veterans as a member of the American Legion, serving as commander of American Legion Post 239 and as vice commander of the Department of New Jersey; he played a pivotal role in the establishment of a veterans' cemetery in Cape May, New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Young took an active role in community affairs as a member of Cannon Lodge #104 F. & A.M. Masonic Lodge and as a Boy Scout leader on the troop, district, and council level; and

WHEREAS, an excellent role model, Raymond Young generously gave his time and talents to the Scouting program, positively influencing countless young men and earning the Silver Beaver Award for his distinguished service; and

WHEREAS, a student of American Civil War history, Raymond Young was a member of various historical societies and Civil War round tables and recognized the important role that the Commonwealth played in the American Civil War; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Young traveled to the Commonwealth to attend Civil War conferences at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and advocated for the protection and preservation of Civil War history sites across the state; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Young collected and preserved historical books on the American Civil War and thoughtfully donated thousands of these to the research libraries located at Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site in Alexandria and Pamplin Historical Park and The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier in Petersburg; and

WHEREAS, a man of great integrity, Raymond Young served his community, the Commonwealth, and the country with great devotion; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of an American patriot, Raymond Campbell Young; 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 Raymond Campbell Young as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.