A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the fallen SOLDIERS who served our nation in operations iraqi freedom and enduring freedom.
Whereas, Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, began on May 30, 1868, when General John A. Logan declared the day an occasion to decorate the graves of Civil War soldiers; and
Whereas, by the early 1900s, several states had declared Decoration Day as an official holiday; and
Whereas, after World War I, Decoration Day was expanded to honor service members killed in all of the nation's wars and, after World War II, Decoration Day became known as Memorial Day; and
Whereas, in 1971, Congress established Memorial Day as a federal holiday to be observed on the last Monday of May; and
Whereas, as we observe Memorial Day in 2009, it is fitting to honor and express profound gratitude to the North Carolinians who were killed in the line of duty during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan; and
Whereas, these courageous individuals should be remembered and honored for their valiant and heroic efforts in protecting the national security interest of the United States and upholding the principles of democracy and freedom; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly expresses its profound gratitude and appreciation to all the men and women of the United States Armed Forces for their selfless service.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly wishes to express its profound thanks and to honor the memory of the following Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who lost their lives during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan since May 26, 2008, and who are from North Carolina or have family ties to the State:
Army Private First Class Theron V. Hobbs, Albany, Georgia, family in Raleigh, North Carolina
Army Specialist Joel A. Taylor, Pinetown, North Carolina
Army Staff Sergeant Travis K. Hunsberger, Goshen, Indiana, family in Fayetteville, North Carolina
Army Master Sergeant Shawn E. Simmons, Ashland, Massachusetts, family in Hope Mills, North Carolina
Army Sergeant First Class Jeffrey M. Rada Morales, Narajito, Puerto Rico, family in Fayetteville, North Carolina
Army Sergeant James M. Treber, Imperial Beach, California, family in Fayetteville, North Carolina
Army Master Sergeant Mitchell W. Young, Jonesboro, Georgia, family in Fayetteville, North Carolina
Army Corporal Pruitt A. Rainey, Haw River, North Carolina
Navy Special Warfare Operator First Class Joshua Harris, Lexington, North Carolina
Army Private Michael W. Murdock, Chocowinity, North Carolina
Army Specialist Jason E. VonZerneck, Charlotte, North Carolina
Army Specialist Bradley S. Coleman, Martinsville, Virginia, family in Eden, North Carolina
Marine Corps Lance Corporal Jessie A. Cassada, Hendersonville, North Carolina
Army Sergeant Jason Parsons, Lenoir, North Carolina
Army Staff Sergeant Jeremy E. Bessa, Woodbridge, Illinois, family in Fayetteville, North Carolina
Army Master Sergeant David Hurt, Tucson, Arizona, family in Hope Mills, North Carolina
Army Sergeant Devin C. Poche, Jacksonville, North Carolina
Navy Commander Charles Springle, Wilmington, North Carolina
Army First Lieutenant Leevi K. Barnard, Mount Airy, North Carolina.
SECTION 3.  The General Assembly wishes to express its profound thanks and to honor the memory of all who made the ultimate sacrifice during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2001 and 2008, especially the following North Carolinians:
Sergeant Leonard W. Adams, Mooresville, North Carolina
Sergeant Mark P. Adams, Morrisville, North Carolina
Sergeant Kevin D. Akins, Burnsville, North Carolina
Lance Corporal Brian E. Anderson, Durham, North Carolina
Sergeant First Class Henry A. Bacon, Wagram, North Carolina
Staff Sergeant Charlie L. Bagwell, Lake Toxaway, North Carolina
Corporal Felipe C. Barbosa, High Point, North Carolina
Staff Sergeant Patrick O. Barlow, Greensboro, North Carolina
Major Larry J. Bauguess Jr., Moravian Falls, North Carolina
Specialist Bradley S. Beard, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Sergeant Darry Benson, Winterville, North Carolina
Corporal Mark A. Bibby, Watha, North Carolina
Corporal Joshua C. Blaney, Matthews, North Carolina
Gunnery Sergeant Darrell W. Boatman, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Sergeant Larry R. Bowman, Granite Falls, North Carolina
Staff Sergeant Juantrea T. Bradley, Greenville, North Carolina
Specialist Lunsford B. Brown II, Creedmoor, North Carolina
Lance Corporal Benjamin S. Bryan, Lumberton, North Carolina
Lieutenant Colonel Charles H. Buehring, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Lance Corporal Kenneth J. Butler, Rowan, North Carolina
Staff Sergeant Marshall H. Caddy, Nags Head, North Carolina
Corporal Bobby T. Callahan, Jamestown, North Carolina
Specialist Jocelyn L. Carrasquillo, Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mitchell K. Carver Jr., Charlotte, North Carolina
Captain Christopher S. Cash, Winterville, North Carolina
Lance Corporal Jessie A. Cassada, Hendersonville, North Carolina
Staff Sergeant Kyu H. Chay, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Staff Sergeant Darrell P. Clay, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Corporal Benny G. Cockerham III, Conover, North Carolina
Specialist Shawn R. Creighton, Windsor, North Carolina
First Lieutenant Joshua Deese, Rowland, North Carolina
Staff Sergeant Mike A. Dennie, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Specialist Daniel A. Desens, Jacksonville, North Carolina
Specialist Lance O. Eakes, Apex, North Carolina
Corporal Christopher S. Ebert, Mooresboro, North Carolina
Specialist Phillip C. Edmundson, Wilson, North Carolina
Lance Corporal Nathan R. Elrod, Salisbury, North Carolina
Specialist Steven R. Elrod, Hope Mills, North Carolina
Specialist Ebe F. Emolo, Greensboro, North Carolina
Captain Michael S. Fielder, Holly Springs, North Carolina
Chief Warrant Officer Paul J. Flynn, Whitsett, North Carolina
Specialist Aaron M. Forbes, Oak Island, North Carolina
Specialist Nicholas R. Gibbs, Stokesdale, North Carolina
Lance Corporal Cliff K. Golla, Charlotte, North Carolina
Seaman Sandra S. Grant, Linwood, North Carolina
Private Joseph R. Guerrera, Dunn, North Carolina
Chief Warrant Officer Stanley L. Harriman, Wade, North Carolina
Petty Officer Class Joshua Harris, Lexington, North Carolina
Corporal Kenneth D. Hess, Asheville, North Carolina
Sergeant Anton J. Hiett, Mount Airy, North Carolina
Private First Class Brian L. Holden, Claremont, North Carolina
Specialist Christopher S. Honaker, Havelock, North Carolina
Lance Corporal David B. Houck, Winston‑Salem, North Carolina
Lance Corporal Gregory C. Howman, Charlotte, North Carolina
Corporal Jason I. Huffman, Conover, North Carolina
Lance Corporal Jeriad P. Jacobs, Clayton, North Carolina
Captain William W. Jacobsen Jr., Charlotte, North Carolina
Command Sergeant Major Dennis Jallah Jr., Fayetteville, North Carolina
Specialist Steven R. Jewell, Bridgeton, North Carolina
Specialist Robert T. Johnson, Erwin, North Carolina
Sergeant Courtney T. Johnson, Garner, North Carolina
Private William C. Johnson, Oxford, North Carolina
Specialist Kevin M. Jones, Washington, North Carolina
Sergeant William S. Kinzer Jr., Hendersonville, North Carolina
Lance Corporal Johnathan E. Kirk, Belhaven, North Carolina
Sergeant Elmer C. Krause, Greensboro, North Carolina
Lance Corporal Alan Dinh Lam, Snow Camp, North Carolina
Specialist James I. Lambert III, Raleigh, North Carolina
Specialist George V. Libby, Aberdeen, North Carolina
Corporal Darryl W. Linder, Hickory, North Carolina
Lance Corporal Kevin A. Lucas, Greensboro, North Carolina
Private First Class Adam L. Marion, Mount Airy, North Carolina
Staff Sergeant Misael Martinez, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Specialist Montrel S. McArn, Raeford, North Carolina
Sergeant First Class Marvin L. Miller, Dunn, North Carolina
Staff Sergeant William C. Moore, Benson, North Carolina
Private Michael W. Murdock, Chocowinity, North Carolina
Private First Class Shawn M. Murphy, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Sergeant Rodney A. Murray, Ayden, North Carolina
Lance Corporal David S. Parr, Benson, North Carolina
Sergeant David B. Parson, Kannapolis, North Carolina
Specialist Jason R. Parsons, Lenoir, North Carolina
Captain Christopher T. Pate, Hampstead, North Carolina
Staff Sergeant Emanuel Pickett, Teachey, North Carolina
Sergeant Devin C. Poche, Jacksonville, North Carolina
Chief Warrant Officer Bruce E. Price, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Corporal Pruitt A. Rainey, Haw River, North Carolina
Staff Sergeant Jason C. Ramseyer, Lenoir, North Carolina
Staff Sergeant Joseph R. Ray, Asheville, North Carolina
Sergeant Thomas C. Ray II, Weaverville, North Carolina
Sergeant John D. Rode, Pineville, North Carolina
Specialist Michael J. Rodriguez, Sanford, North Carolina
Sergeant Scott C. Rose, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Specialist Ryan D. Russell, Elm City, North Carolina
Lance Corporal Andrew D. Russoli, Greensboro, North Carolina
Sergeant Monta S. Ruth, Winston‑Salem, North Carolina
Private First Class Enrique C. Sanchez, Garner, North Carolina
Sergeant Leonard D. Simmons, New Bern, North Carolina
Sergeant John M. Smith, Wilmington, North Carolina
Sergeant Roderic A. Solomon, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Specialist Michael K. Spivey, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Sergeant First Class Greg L. Sutton, Spring Lake, North Carolina
Lance Corporal Daniel F. Swaim, Yadkinville, North Carolina
Specialist Joel A. Taylor, Pinetown, North Carolina
Major David G. Taylor, Apex, North Carolina
Specialist Prince K. Teewia, Durham, North Carolina
Sergeant Zachary D. Tellier, Charlotte, North Carolina
Petty Officer Third Class Christopher W. Thompson, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
Specialist David N. Timmons Jr., Lewisville, North Carolina
Sergeant Michael L. Tosto, Apex, North Carolina
Staff Sergeant Eric R. Vick, Spring Hope, North Carolina
Specialist Jason E. von Zerneck, Charlotte, North Carolina
Staff Sergeant Michael S. Voss, Aberdeen, North Carolina
Sergeant Gregory L. Wahl, Salisbury, North Carolina
Staff Sergeant Laurent J. West, Raleigh, North Carolina
Private First Class Christopher N. White, Southport, North Carolina
Private First Class Joey D. Whitener, Nebo, North Carolina
Sergeant David B. Williams, Tarboro, North Carolina
Sergeant Lee C. Wilson, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Staff Sergeant Romanes L. Woodard, Hertford, North Carolina.
SECTION 4.  The General Assembly extends its deepest sympathy to the families of the above named service members who made the ultimate sacrifice to help secure the freedom of the United States of America. The people of the State of North Carolina owe a debt to these brave service members and solemnly pledge that they shall never be forgotten.
SECTION 5.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.