Senate Resolution 68

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND COMMENDING THE LIFE OF SERGEANT JOSHUA L. LADD OF PHILADELPHIA, MISSISSIPPI, THE 10TH MISSISSIPPI COMBAT CASUALTY IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.

WHEREAS, on Saturday, May 1, 2004, Sergeant Joshua L. Ladd, 20, of the 367th Maintenance Company, based out of Philadelphia, was killed near Mosul, Iraq, when hostile forces ambushed his convoy and a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle; and

WHEREAS, a Neshoba County native, he was the son of Randy and Deborah Ladd of the Fork Community, a community-wide memorial service for Ladd was held Thursday, May 6, 2004, at the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, military officials said complete details of the incident were unavailable; and

WHEREAS, reports from Iraq said that two other soldiers from the 367th were in the same vehicle with Ladd and that one suffered a minor foot injury as a result of kicking out the front glass of the vehicle. By the time they got out, Sgt. Ladd was already dead; and

WHEREAS, a memorial service for Ladd was held in Mosul, and another memorial service was held at Fort Lewis, Washington, where his unit trained before being deployed to Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Tuesday, May 4, the flags at City Hall and the county courthouse were at half staff and the Mayor and Board of Aldermen along with the Board of Supervisors prepared resolutions honoring Ladd. Funeral arrangements were incomplete with officials saying it could be next week before his body is returned home for burial with full military honors. McClain-Hays Funeral Home will handle the services; and

WHEREAS, Ladd is remembered most for his vibrant smile and upbeat personality. An energetic but quiet youth, Ladd signed up for the Mississippi National Guard at the age of 17 while still in high school, and last year transferred from the 298th Corps Support Battalion after he heard the 367th was leaving for Iraq. Family members said he wanted to be the first to leave and remembered him smiling as he boarded the bus for deployment last November amid a torrent of tears; and

WHEREAS, Ladd graduated from Neshoba Central High School in 2001 and was remembered by classmates and friends as a teenager who would do anything to make people laugh. A trumpet player in the NCHS band, Ladd loved computers and playing computer games with friends; and

WHEREAS, Ladd is remembered for doing what "he was meant to do" and that was to serve his country; friends and family members said at an early age Ladd talked about being a pilot or joining the military. His interest in the military led to Ladd's early entrance into the National Guard and a year as a residence advisor at Chamberlain-Hunt Academy. He had enrolled at East Central Community College last fall, but only had time to move into a dorm with some of his high school friends and attended a few classes before being activated with the 367th; and

WHEREAS, at Chamberlain-Hunt Academy, school officials announced Ladd's death to students, many of which remember him as a resident advisor, and stated that Josh set a Christian example in everything he did and he paid a huge sacrifice. When others complained about being in Iraq, he never said a word. He often stated that he wouldn't mind serving another year; and

WHEREAS, 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, That we do hereby remember the gallant service and commend the life of Sergeant Joshua L. Ladd of the 367th Maintenance Company from Philadelphia, Mississippi, who was killed in action in Iraq on Saturday, May 1, 2004, and extend the thoughts and prayers of the Senate to his family and our sorrow on his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Sgt. Joshua Ladd and be forwarded to the Commander in Chief of the United States Armed Forces, President George W. Bush, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.