Senate Resolution 30

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING SPECIALIST CLAY CHANNELL OF THE MORTON NATIONAL GUARD UNIT UPON HIS RECEIPT OF THE "2002 MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER OF THE YEAR" MEDAL.

WHEREAS, a special ceremony was held Sunday, November 10, 2002, at the National Guard Armory in Morton, Mississippi, for a special soldier connected to the Morton Guard Unit: Specialist Clay Channell, 25, of Charlie Battery, 1/204th ADA received a certificate and medal for the outstanding accomplishment of being named "2002 Mississippi Solder of the Year"; and

WHEREAS, the Army Commendation Medal was presented to Specialist Channell by Captain Morgan on behalf of Adjutant General James H. Lipscomb III, along with the Commander from the state; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Channell competed throughout the year against soldiers from across the state for "Mississippi Soldier of the Year." Starting out at the Battery level, he was selected Soldier of the Year for Charlie Battery in Morton, then advanced to Battalion level and Troop level in Mississippi (there are approximately 10,000 National Guardsmen in Mississippi); and

WHEREAS, along the way, he received the Army Achievement Medal, Certificate of Achievement, Troop Award (statue of a soldier), Eagle statue for Soldier of the Year, Certificate of Achievement and a $100 Savings Bond from NCO Association, a $100 Savings Bond from the Sargeant Majors in the state, as well as the Arcom Award and Army Commendation Medal; and

WHEREAS, the soldier's name will be placed on the front gate at Camp Shelby, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, for a year; and

WHEREAS, from Pearl, Mississippi, Channell is a student at the University of Southern Mississippi where he plans to join the ROTC and be an officer as soon as he is classified as a Junior. The career soldier signed with the Morton Guard Unit in 1994. In 1998, he went to active duty for three years in Colorado, before returning to Morton, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Channell's thoughts on being a Guardsman, "If I'm not fighting for my country, who will? I'm doing this for my family. I will step up and take responsibility...Freedom comes at a price...I'll pay that price for my family any day..."; and

WHEREAS, Clay is the son of Judy Channell of Pearl, Mississippi, and Danny Channell of Brandon, Mississippi. His wife, Suzanne, has also supported him in earning this honor; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the achievements of this Mississippi soldier, who has brought honor to his family, his community, his guard unit and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Specialist Clay Channell of the Morton National Guard Unit upon his receipt of the "2002 Mississippi Soldier of the Year" Medal, and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Senate on this high honor.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Specialist Channell and be made available to the Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard and the Capitol Press Corps.