MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 2nd Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Nunnelee, Wilemon, Gordon, Little, Frazier, Jackson (15th), Ross, Posey, Davis, Robertson, Clarke, Hyde-Smith, Browning, Chaney, Kirby, Albritton, Bryan, Burton, Dearing, Flowers, Gollott, Harvey, Hewes, Horhn, King, Lee (35th), Mettetal, Morgan, Pickering, Thames, Walley, White
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND COMMENDING THE LIFE OF LANCE CORPORAL STEPHEN BALDWYN, 19, OF EGGVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS A COMBAT CASUALTY IN IRAQ ON SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2005, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Stephen Baldwyn, 19, of Eggville, Mississippi, was killed on Sunday, May 8, 2005, while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Nassar Wa Salaam, Iraq; and
WHEREAS, carried by a military honor guard, he came home to his native community and family, and was buried with full military honors on Tuesday, May 17, 2005, at Eggville Cemetery, with Commander Robert Beede officiating; and
WHEREAS, Corporal Baldwyn was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was proud to serve his country as a United States Marine; and
WHEREAS, he was born May 7, 1986. He was a 2004 graduate of Mooreville High School, where he was active in the choral department since eighth grade. He had received his Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America in January 2005. He was a member of the Eggville Free Will Baptist Church. He enjoyed playing tennis and golf, going camping, and spending time with his dog, Chance; and
WHEREAS, "He wanted to see the world," said his mother, Stephanie Baldwyn, a veteran teacher at the high school. "He wanted adventure"; and
WHEREAS, Corporal Baldwyn was stationed at Camp Geiger, North Carolina, and was sent to Germany in January. At the end of February, he was sent to Iraq; and
WHEREAS, since military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq began, 28 soldiers with ties to Mississippi have died; and
WHEREAS, Mooreville High School recognized Baldwyn at the playoff baseball game against Booneville High School; and
WHEREAS, survivors include his parents, Danny and Stephanie Baldwyn of Eggville, Mississippi; sister, Angela Kaye Keith (George), Shannon, Mississippi; brother, Allen Andrew Baldwyn (Stephanie), Eggville, Mississippi; grandparents, Lorean Baldwyn and Dottie Hale, both of Eggville, Mississippi; and two special friends, Travis Brewer and Chance Reese; 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 will not 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 Lance Corporal Stephen Baldwyn of Eggville, Mississippi, who was killed in action in Iraq on Sunday, May 8, 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 Corporal Baldwyn and be made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.