Congratulating Major General (Ret.) Wesley E. Craig for his immeasurable contributions and lifelong service to his Country, community, and the USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey.

WHEREAS, Major General Wesley E. Craig was born on September 13, 1946 in Germantown, Pennsylvania and grew up in Cheltenham Township; and

WHEREAS, In 1968, Major General Craig graduated from Temple University with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and was commissioned as a distinguished military graduate from Temple University's Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Program; and

WHEREAS, Major General Craig served the Pennsylvania Army National Guard from January 1971 to 2006; and

WHEREAS, During that time, Major General Craig oversaw the selection, organization, mobilization, deployment, and redeployment of over 6,000 soldiers to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia on multiple rotations; and

WHEREAS, Major General Craig was the Commanding General, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard. He assumed this position in October 2003 and commanded 14,000 soldiers located in 85 communities and 3 states; and

WHEREAS, While under his command, the 56th Brigade was awarded the Governor's Meritorious Unit Citation for Excellence in training, strength management, and emergency response to natural disasters; and

WHEREAS, For his exemplary service to the United States Army National Guard, Major General Craig was recognized with the following awards: Legion of Merit; Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 oak leaf clusters); Army Commendation Medal (with oak leaf cluster); Army Achievement Medal; Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with 8 oak leaf clusters); National Defense Service Medal (with 2 bronze service stars); Global War on Terror Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with gold hourglass); Army Service Ribbon and Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (with numeral 3); and

WHEREAS, In his civilian role, Major General Craig worked for Strawbridge and Clothier Department Store in Philadelphia in various positions for 31 years before retiring in 2002; and

WHEREAS, Major General Craig presently serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, member of the Board of Directors of the US Army War College Alumni Association, State Chairman of Employer Support of Guard and Reserve, ESGR, Vice Chairman of the Union League of Philadelphia's Armed Services Committee, Chairman of the Combat Vehicle Task Force of the National Guard Association of the United States, and is involved in the Associate of the US Army, 28th Infantry Division Association and Military Officers Association of America; and

WHEREAS, Twice, at the request of the Liberty USO Board of Directors, Major General Craig has served as Interim President and remains a leading spokesperson for the organization; and

WHEREAS, Appointed the liaison for the Liberty USO's unplanned and unexpected relocation from Terminal D to Terminal A, Major General Craig served a vital role in coordinating requirements and logistics to support the build-out of the new Liberty USO Service Center and served a vital role in its capital campaign to raise the funds necessary to complete the transition; and

WHEREAS, Major General Craig is a member of Christ's Lutheran Church in Oreland, Pennsylvania and serves on the Church Council as Chairman of the Property Committee and sings in the choir; and

WHEREAS, Along with his wife of 37 years, Marda, Major General Craig resides in Oreland, Pennsylvania. Major General Craig and Marda have a son, Matt, and a daughter, Joy, who is married to Micah Rampulla; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby congratulate Major General (Ret.) Wesley E. Craig for his immeasurable contributions and lifelong service to his Country, community, and the USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Major General (Ret.) Wesley E. Craig as evidence of the sincere sentiments and recognition of this legislative body.

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