MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 2nd Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Clarke, Chaney, Carmichael, King, Albritton, Butler, Davis, Dearing, Flowers, Frazier, Gollott, Gordon, Harvey, Hewes, Horhn, Hyde-Smith, Jordan, Lee (35th), Little, Mettetal, Moffatt, Morgan, Pickering, Posey, Simmons, Thames, Thomas, White, Wilemon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND COMMENDING THE LIFE OF STAFF SERGEANT JOHN EDWARD MCGEE, SR., OF CARY, MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS A COMBAT CASUALTY IN IRAQ ON MAY 2, 2005, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, Alabama National Guardsman Staff Sergeant John Edward McGee, Sr., 36, of Columbus, Georgia, a native of Cary, Mississippi, was killed on Monday, May 2, 2005, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle while on combat duty in Addiwaniyah, Iraq. He was one of 23 soldiers who died in the tanker truck explosion; 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 Saturday, May 14, 2005, at the Cary Community Cemetery. Second District U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson joined a delegation of military officials, family members and pastors who celebrated Sergeant McGee's life during a service, at South Delta High School Auditorium; and
WHEREAS, posthumously, Sergeant McGee was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Alabama Meritorious Service Medal during the service by Alabama National Guard Adjutant General Mark Bowen; and
WHEREAS, assigned to the Army National Guard's 2101st Transportation Company in Camden, Alabama, McGee had lived in Columbus, Georgia, for a brief time before the 2101st was mobilized last summer. He was working at a home health agency, said his mother, Rebecca McGee, and had considered returning to school; but before he did, his Army unit was sent to Iraq. Sergeant McGee had completed a program to become a lieutenant, but had not yet been commissioned; and
WHEREAS, Rebecca McGee said her son enlisted in the Army when he was 17 years old, a 1986 graduate of Henry Weather High School in Rolling Fork. "We live in an area where there are no jobs for young men and John wanted to get a job to help his family." He had served eight years on active duty before joining the Alabama National Guard in 1996; and
WHEREAS, since military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq began, 27 soldiers with ties to Mississippi have died. The Army said McGee was the fourth Alabama National Guardsman to be killed in action in Iraq. At least 26 military personnel who were raised or based in Alabama have died while serving in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, "Staff Sergeant McGee was a highly respected soldier who always gave his best regardless of the circumstances," said Major General Mark Bowen, Adjutant General of the Alabama National Guard. "This is a great loss and out thoughts and prayers go out to the McGee family and to the 2101st"; and
WHEREAS, John had been at home on leave just a week prior to his death; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his mother, survivors include two sons, Devontac Caldwell, Hollandale, Mississippi, and John Edward McGee, Jr., Columbus, Georgia; one daughter, Jordan McGee, Columbus, Georgia; four brothers, Howard McGee of Cary, Mississippi, Laurence McGee of Baltimore, Maryland, Michael McGee Norfolk, Virginia, and Kenneth McGee, Columbus, Georgia; four sisters, Sandra Luckett, Atlanta, Georgia, Shelia Barfield, Sharon Barnes and Beverly Thomas, all of Vicksburg, Mississippi; and his grandmother, Ethel Crayton, Mayersville, Mississippi. Devout in his faith, he was a member of Clark Chapel United Methodist Church in Cary; 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 Staff Sergeant John Edward McGee, Sr., of Cary, Mississippi, who was killed in action in Iraq on Monday, May 2, 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 Sergeant McGee and be made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.