MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Butler, Carmichael, Chamberlin, Chaney, Clarke, Dearing, Frazier, Gordon, Harvey, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (11th), Jordan, King, Lee (35th), Morgan, Nunnelee, Pickering, Thames
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND MILITARY SERVICE OF U.S. ARMY SERGEANT, SHANTA BRIDGES OF TYLERTOWN, MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS KILLED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT WHILE ON ACTIVE DUTY.
WHEREAS, United States Army Sergeant Shanta Bridges, 26 years of age, a resident of Honolulu, Hawaii, and a former resident of Tylertown, Mississippi, died February 13, 2004, in an automobile accident while on active duty; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Bridges was born on July 1, 1977, to Cinda Lane and James "Bay" Anderson in Walthall County, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, he joined Tylertown First Baptist Church as a child. He attended Tylertown High School, where he was a very active student. He participated in several clubs and organizations and was a valuable member of the football team. He graduated from Tylertown High School in 1995; and
WHEREAS, after high school, Sergeant Bridges attended Jackson State University and maintained various jobs in the community. In April 1998, he joined the United States Army. During basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, he married his high school sweetheart, Tonya LaKesha Carr on July 17, 1998; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Bridges was stationed in Darmstadt, Germany, for three years. During this time he was deployed to serve at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo. He and his family then traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii, where he was stationed at Schofield Barracks. Sergeant Bridges was an outstanding soldier. He received numerous awards and honors, such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal for his service in Kosovo, the Airborne Meritorious Certificate of Achievement for parachuting and Soldier of the Month to name a few. He was dedicated to becoming the best noncommissioned officer possible. He attended many training classes and schools where he became certified in a variety of specialties. He served five years, six months and 27 days in the United States Army before his tragic automobile accident; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Bridges was preceded in death by his father, James "Bay" Anderson; one aunt; five uncles; and a very special niece, Kendra Felicia Bridges. He is survived by his wife, Tonya LeKesha Bridges of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; his two sons, ShantezAlcus Niem Bridges and Malik Devonte Bridges; his mother, Cinda Lane of McComb, Mississippi; his mother-in-law, Jennye R. Carr of Tylertown, Mississippi; his grandmother, Annie Butler of Tylertown, Mississippi; seven sisters and four brothers-in-law; and a host of other cousins and friends; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Bridges was buried with full military honors, and it is with sadness that we note the passing of this Mississippian whose military service has brought honor to his family, his community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and military service of U.S. Army Sergeant, Shanta Bridges of Tylertown, Mississippi, who was killed in an automobile accident while on active duty in Honolulu, Hawaii, and express to his surviving family the sympathy of the Legislature.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving wife and mother of Sergeant Bridges and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.