MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2006 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Brown, Albritton, Browning, Burton, Butler, Carmichael, Chaney, Clarke, Davis, Dawkins, Frazier, Gollott, Gordon, Hewes, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (15th), Jackson (11th), Jordan, King, Kirby, Lee (35th), Little, Mettetal, Posey, Robertson, Simmons, Thames, Thomas

Senate Concurrent Resolution 515

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND COMMENDING THE LIFE OF UNITED STATES ARMY STAFF SERGEANT BRIAN LEE FREEMAN OF CALEDONIA, MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS KILLED IN IRAQ ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2005, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.

     WHEREAS, United States Army Staff Sergeant Brian Lee Freeman, 27, of Caledonia, Mississippi, was killed on Monday, November 7, 2005, while on foot patrol southwest of Baghdad, Iraq, one of four Colorado-based soldiers killed by a suicide bomber; and

     WHEREAS, Sergeant Freeman was a Tank Commander assigned to Troop 1, 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment out of Fort Carson, Colorado, part of the Army's Task Force Baghdad; and

     WHEREAS, carried by a United States Army Honor Guard, he came home to his wife and family and to his community and was buried on Wednesday, November 16, 2005, at the Rowan Cemetery, Caledonia, Mississippi, with full military honors; during the funeral he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart; and

     WHEREAS, Sergeant Freeman is the second soldier from the tiny northeast Mississippi town of Caledonia to die in Iraq.  Since operations began in Iraq and Afghanistan, at least 40 soldiers or sailors with Mississippi ties have died in action; and

     WHEREAS, Sergeant Freeman was born June 9, 1978, in Amory, Mississippi; he had lived most of his life in Caledonia, was a graduate of Caledonia High School and was a member of Kolola Springs Baptist Church; and

     WHEREAS, he joined the Army in 1997 and was an extremely dedicated role model devoted to the younger soldiers.  He had planned to re-enlist in the Army and was interested in becoming a career soldier, but his death prevented his plan; and

     WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife, Leah Freeman of Laurel; his father and mother, Howard Glen and Patricia Mooney Freeman of Caledonia; grandmother, Charlotte Mooney, brother Matthew Freeman, sister, Lisa Nichols, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ronnie and Linda Christian of Laurel, and other family and friends; and

     WHEREAS, Brian Freeman lived his life committed to our nation's safety and security.  To a country, a fallen soldier means a national loss; to a community, a fallen soldier means a true hero; to a parent, a fallen soldier means a son who won't be coming home.  Mississippians understand the costs of conflict, because we have paid them in the past, and it is with great pride and humility that we recognize the heroic action of this great American and Mississippian, who was the guardian of civilization as we know it today:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby remember the gallant service and commend the life of United States Army Staff Sergeant Brian Lee Freeman of Caledonia, Mississippi, who was killed in the line of duty in Iraq on Monday, November 7, 2005, and extend the thoughts and prayers of the Legislature to his family and our sorrow on his passing.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Sergeant Freeman and be made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.