A senate RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE world war II veteran Mr. HAL PECK ON THE OCCASION OF HIS ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH HIM A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MUCH HAPPINESS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to learn that Mr. Hal Peck will celebrate this important milestone on February 22, 2022; and

Whereas, a native of Indiana, Mr. Peck was born on February 22, 1922; and

Whereas, a veteran of the United States Army, Mr. Peck served in World War II in the 226th Signal Corps; and

Whereas, Mr. Peck was drafted in the spring of 1943 and arrived at Normandy on June 17, 1944, eleven days after D-Day, with the area having been secured. As a member of the Signal Corps, he was responsible for going up and down telephone poles to help maintain lines of communication. He did not carry a rifle while on pole duty but was in a vulnerable position while performing his duties; and

Whereas, in October of 2022, the French government awarded Mr. Peck the French Legion of Honor for his service during the war, a high distinction awarded for military and civil merit. This military honor grants Mr. Peck knight status, prompting some family and friends to call him "Sir Hal"; and

Whereas, when he returned to the United States at the end of the war, Mr. Peck was recruited to play basketball at Tulane University, where he excelled; and

Whereas, Mr. Peck married his college sweetheart, Gwen Bailie, in 1949. The two traveled the world, returning to their home base in Goshen, Indiana, until they retired to Aiken in 1992. Together, they had two sons, Rich and Josh Peck; and

Whereas, Mr. Peck still lives in the home he purchased with his wife, who passed away in 2010; and

Whereas, Mr. Peck spends much of his time at the Houndslake Country Club, where he is much beloved by a circle of friends and neighbors. The country club's pub now bears a sign, "Hal Peck Pub," in honor of Mr. Peck; and

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate takes great pleasure in honoring this esteemed citizen and World War II veteran on the occasion of his one hundredth birthday and is pleased to join with his family and friends in congratulating him. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate World War II veteran Mr. Hal Peck on the occasion of his one hundredth birthday and wish him a joyous birthday celebration and much happiness in the days ahead.

Be if further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Hal Peck.

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