Senate Concurrent Resolution 584

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND COMMENDING THE LIFE OF SPECIALIST ROBERT SHANE PUGH OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS A COMBAT CASUALTY IN IRAQ ON MARCH 1, 2005, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, Specialist Robert Shane Pugh, 25, of Meridian, Mississippi, was killed on Tuesday, March 1, 2005, when an explosive device detonated near his vehicle while on combat duty near Iskandariyah, Iraq; and

WHEREAS, carried by a military honor guard, he came home to his community and family, and was buried with full military honors on Thursday, March 10, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Pugh was a Medic deployed with the Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion out of McComb, Mississippi, which is attached to the 155th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, that includes 3,500 soldiers from Mississippi and others from Vermont and Arkansas. Shane was the fifth member of the unit to die in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Shane is the 25th soldier or sailor with Mississippi ties to die in the war in Afganistan and Iraq, and the ninth Mississippi National Guard soldier to give his life in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, during his funeral, Specialist Pugh was awarded the Bronze Star and the Mississippi Medal of Valor posthumously by Major General Harold Cross, Adjutant of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Pugh was in line to be promoted to Sergeant and will be promoted posthumously; and

WHEREAS, Shane spent more than five years working as a Phlebotomist at United Blood Services in Meridian, where he was highly respected by the blood drive sponsors. His family and friends remember him as a witty, charming young man; and

WHEREAS, his family received an outpouring of grief and support from across the state, demonstrating the community's acknowledgment of the sacrifice made by the Mississippi National Guard; and

WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife of less than one year, Amanda Warbington Pugh, Causeyville, Mississippi; his mother, Wilma Allen and her husband, Gary, Stonewall, Mississippi; father, Glen Pugh, Meehan Community; sister, Jennifer Hill and her husband, Rick and their children, Destiny and Rick Hill, Sandersville, Mississippi; half-sisters, Tiffany Allen and April Allen; half-brothers, Dale Allen and Scotty Pugh; grandparents, Lucille Phillips, Ann and Sims Holifield; step-grandmother, Daisy Allen; sister-in-law, Bridget Davidson and her husband, Brian and their son, Austin; brother-in-law, Ron Warbington; mother-in-law, Judy Bearden; 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 Specialist Robert Shane Pugh of Meridian, Mississippi, who was killed in action in Iraq on Tuesday, March 1, 2005, 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 Specialist Pugh and be made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.