Senate Concurrent Resolution 591

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION HONORING AND MEMORIALIZING TWO RENA LARA WORLD WAR II HEROES WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES TO PROTECT OUR COUNTRY, OUR FREEDOM, AND OUR WAY OF LIFE -- TWO "GOLD STARS" WHO DIDN'T COME HOME.

WHEREAS, in the late 1930's and early 1940's, as Germany's Hitler and Italy's Mussolini marched across Europe, and as Japan's Hirohito and Tojo continued to build their armies, the dark clouds of World War II loomed on the horizon; and

WHEREAS, the United States, as a matter of self-preservation and to help protect the free world, began to reach out and call its young men and women to service -- called from every city, town, village, hamlet and farm across this vast United States; and

WHEREAS, the Rena Lara Community gave dearly of its young men and women -- perhaps more than many other communities of like size, and Rena Lara was proud -- even more proud than the largest cities across the nation, if this was possible; and

WHEREAS, in the years following World War II, a beautiful red, white and blue banner containing over 35 stars was proudly displayed on the wall behind the pulpit in the Rena Lara Community Building/Rena Lara Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, this banner was made of cloth, rectangular in shape (approximately two feet by three feet) and bordered all around by a three-inch band. Between the borders, blue stars on a white background were evenly arranged in alternate rows of three and four stars each; and

WHEREAS, this banner was not just an ordinary banner, but one very dear to the hearts of every citizen of the Rena Lara Community, for the stars in this special banner represented the young men and women who left the community and went to war to defend our country in World War II; and

WHEREAS, this revered banner was also very special in one other unique way -- two stars in the center of the white field stood out from the others for they were gold in color. The two Gold Stars represented two Rena Lara heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and their community. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13; and

WHEREAS, Charles Bruce Chadwick is honored and remembered by the first Gold Star on the banner. On December 7, 1941, about 7:55 a.m. Hawaiian time, Japanese bombs began to fall on Pearl Harbor. The U.S.S. Arizona was one of the American Battleships lost during the surprise attack. Machinist's Mate Charles Bruce Chadwick was on the battleship and is one of those entombed in the sunken vessel, which rests on the bottom of Honolulu's Harbor. He was 25 years old; and

WHEREAS, Richard W. "Pete" Rozelle is honored and remembered by the second Gold Star on the banner. On July 10, 1943, the Allied Forces began the historic invasion of Sicily in the Mediterranean. Paratrooper Pfc. Richard W. "Pete" Rozelle was a member of that heroic group that fateful day. He is buried in the United States National Cemetery near Rome, Italy. He was 21 years old; and

WHEREAS, many young men and women from Rena Lara have valiantly and courageously served our country during the various conflicts of the past -- some have been seriously wounded, others have been taken prisoner, and all have endured tremendous hardships in fulfilling their call to duty; and

WHEREAS, this tribute to these two who have fallen in action -- who have made the ultimate sacrifice -- these two "Gold Stars" who didn't come home -- Machinist's Mate Charles Bruce Chadwick and Paratrooper Pfc. Richard W. "Pete" Rozelle -- is respectfully dedicated in honor of all those from Rena Lara who have served and returned home safely; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature to honor and pay tribute to our men and women in service and especially to remember and memorialize those who have fallen in battle:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby remember, honor and memorialize two Rena Lara World War II Heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives to protect our country, our freedom, and our way of life -- Machinist's Mate Charles Bruce Chadwick and Paratrooper Pfc. Richard W. "Pete" Rozelle -- two "Gold Stars" who didn't come home.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Senator Delma Furniss is hereby designated to represent this body in presenting this resolution to family members of Machinist's Mate Charles Bruce Chadwick and Paratrooper Pfc. Richard W. "Pete" Rozelle.