MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2007 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Chaney, King, Carmichael, Albritton, Browning, Burton, Butler, Clarke, Dawkins, Dearing, Fillingane, Frazier, Gollott, Gordon, Hewes, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Kirby, Lee (35th), Little, Mettetal, Morgan, Pickering, Posey, Ross, Thames, Thomas, Tollison, Walls, White, Wilemon

Senate Concurrent Resolution 520

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND COMMENDING THE LIFE OF UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS MASTER SERGEANT BRIAN P. MCANULTY OF VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN IRAQ ON DECEMBER 11, 2006, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.

     WHEREAS, United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Brian P. McAnulty, 39, a 1985 graduate of Warren Central High School in Vicksburg, Mississippi, was killed on Monday, December 11, 2006, when a CH-53 helicopter in which he was being transported crashed in Al Anbar Province in Iraq; and

     WHEREAS, the Mississippian was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division of the I Marine Expeditionary Force in Twentynine Palms, California; and

     WHEREAS, former Warren Central Soccer teammate Rip Engler remembers that Sergeant McAnulty went into the military after a car accident in Warren County in December 1985.  Lucy Young, his former Soccer Coach at Warren Central, said she kept up with Brian's military career through his parents even after they moved away several years ago, bought a motor home and traveled around the nation before settling in North Carolina.  "He was a great guy who was very dedicated and a very dedicated soldier," said Young; and

     WHEREAS, carried by a Marine Honor Guard, he was buried on Tuesday, December 19, 2006, at Mount Gur Cemetery in Kernersville, North Carolina, with full military honors; during the funeral he was awarded the Navy Cross; and

     WHEREAS, since operations began in Iraq and Afghanistan, at least 48 soldiers or sailors with Mississippi ties have died in action; and

     WHEREAS, 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 Marine Corps Master Sergeant Brian P. McAnulty, who was killed in action in Iraq on Monday, December 11, 2006, 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 McAnulty and be made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.