House Concurrent Resolution 49

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF COLONEL GEORGE ROBERT HALL, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, the grand architect of the universe, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny, has summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Colonel George Robert Hall, to eternal rest, as he has made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi and the Hattiesburg community lost a wonderful friend, community leader and courageous American war hero on Sunday, February 16, 2014, with the passing of Colonel George Hall, 83, who was born on June 18, 1930, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, an individual committed to service, Colonel Hall graduated from Hattiesburg High School in 1948 and attended the United States Naval Academy, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force after graduation from the academy; and

WHEREAS, as fate would lend itself to building upon the blueprint divinely designed for the pattern of his life by the Great Deity, Colonel George Robert Hall's love, chivalry and affection pierced the heart of Ms. Patsy Jane Stanley of Waco, Texas, and the duo became bone of one another's bone and flesh of one another's flesh after exchanging the nuptials of holy matrimony on October 8, 1955; and

WHEREAS, a devoted husband and caring father, and always the willing worker, Colonel George Hall led by example and possessed a willingness to serve and be of service to others, as demonstrated by his meritorious service in the military; and

WHEREAS, Colonel Hall was assigned to the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, and from this location, Hall flew support and combat missions, taking him into enemy territory despite the fact that he was armed only with a camera, and sheer skill as a pilot was his only safety; and

WHEREAS, Colonel Hall's tour in Thailand was set to end, but then his commanding officer extended his tour for one more month, and as a senior and experienced member of the squadron, he wanted to fly with another pilot who was reluctant to fly over North Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, it was during this flight over bridges near Hanoi that his RF-101 Voodoo was shot down by ground fire, and for the next seven and one-half years, Colonel Hall was a prisoner of the North Vietnamese, and these were long, lonely years, some of which were spent in isolation, often suffering from torture and illness, but he managed to stay strong and survive, and was released on February 12, 1973; and

WHEREAS, he remained in the Air Force for three years after his return, retiring at the rank of colonel, and later wrote a book, "Commitment to Honor," that tells his story; and

WHEREAS, Colonel Hall's time spent trapped in and around Hanoi, including at the infamous Hanoi Hilton, ranks among the longest prisoner of war experiences in United States history, and Andrew Wiest, Director of the University of Southern Mississippi's Center for the Study of War and Society, says, "His experience was about as prolonged and brutal as you can get."; and

WHEREAS, he selflessly provided significant contributions to the Hattiesburg community, including raising thousands of dollars to build the Veterans' Memorial Park downtown, for which he remains the chairman emeritus, and supported the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum's Director, Chad Daniels, issued the following statement upon Colonel Hall's passing: "It is with great sadness that the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum notes the passing of Colonel George Robert Hall. He was a great friend and supporter of the museum, where his story is shared with the public as well as the military personnel training at Camp Shelby. His example of service and perseverance sets him firmly among the greatest heroes of our Republic."; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon his arrival to the celestial shores of Heaven's grandeur, the legacy of Colonel George Hall's memory will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors: his wife, Patsy Hall; their three children, Robert (Bobby) Stanton, Laura Diane and Steven Douglas; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to acknowledge the selfless and courageous nature of an individual of the esteemed caliber as that of Colonel George Hall:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the life and legacy of Colonel George Robert Hall, and extend sincere and deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Colonel George Robert Hall, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.