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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Family and friends will forever treasure their |
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memories of Manuel Salvador Vela of San Antonio, who died on |
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February 1, 2021, at the age of 100; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Kenedy on March 28, 1920, to Salvador and |
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Rufina Vela, Manuel Vela grew up with three siblings, Isaac, Lydia, |
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and Anais; he was the proud father of two daughters, Rachel Brinlee |
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and Cynthia Vela York, and a son, the late Roland Vela, and later in |
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life, he was pleased to welcome his grandchildren and |
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great-grandchildren into his family; and |
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WHEREAS, After starting his career with the San Antonio Fire |
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Department in 1943, Mr. Vela answered his nation's call to duty and |
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served as a gunner with the U.S. Navy in the Bering Sea during World |
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War II; he returned to San Antonio in 1946 and resumed his career |
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with the fire department, earning his associate degree in fire |
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science from San Antonio College and serving as an engineer, |
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lieutenant, and captain before retiring as a fire inspector in |
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1983; and |
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WHEREAS, Strong-willed and energetic, Mr. Vela worked out at |
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the YMCA well into his 90s, and he delighted in dancing on the |
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weekends; he remained proud of his military service, and in 2012, he |
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was privileged to join an Honor Flight of World War II veterans to |
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Washington, D.C.; known affectionately as "Cap" to his fellow San |
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Antonio firefighters, he was honored in 2020 as the department's |
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oldest retired member; and |
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WHEREAS, Manuel Vela lived a rich and purposeful life devoted |
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to his family, his nation, and his community, and he leaves behind a |
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legacy of service that will continue to inspire all those who knew |
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and loved him; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Manuel Salvador |
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Vela and extend sincere condolences to his relatives and to his many |
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friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Manuel |
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Vela. |