MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 2nd Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Hewes, Brown, Browning, Burton, Butler, Carmichael, Chaney, Clarke, Davis, Dearing, Flowers, Frazier, Gollott, Gordon, Harden, Jackson (15th), Jackson (11th), Jordan, Kirby, Lee (35th), Little, Mettetal, Michel, Moffatt, Morgan, Pickering, Posey, Thomas, Walley, Walls, White, Wilemon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND COMMENDING THE LIFE OF PRIVATE FIRST CLASS BRYAN BARRON OF GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS A COMBAT CASUALTY IN IRAQ ON MONDAY, MAY 23, 2005, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, Private First Class Bryan Barron, 26, of Gulfport, Mississippi was killed on Monday, May 23, 2005, when a bomb exploded near his Humvee in Haswa, 30 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq, one of four Mississippi members of the 155th Brigade Combat Team; and
WHEREAS, carried by a military honor guard, he came home to his community and family, and was buried Wednesday, June 1, 2005, at Biloxi National Cemetery in Biloxi, Mississippi, with full military honors. A memorial service was also held on Thursday, June 2, 2005, at the New Covenant United Methodist Church on Terry Road in Byram, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, the 155th Infantry Brigade Combat Team includes 3,500 soldiers from Mississippi and others from Vermont and Arkansas. The 155th, which is attached to the II Marine Expeditionary Force, operates in the Karbala, Najaf and Babil provinces of Iraq. The soldiers trained at Camp Shelby before being deployed to Iraq in January 2004. The deaths of these four brave guardsmen brings the total in the 155th Brigade to at least 10 in 2005. Since military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq began, 32 soldiers with ties to Mississippi have died. The Mississippi National Guard has sustained the fourth-highest number of casualties of any state; and
WHEREAS, Private Barron was the father of two young children who would have celebrated his 27th birthday on June 9, 2005. He joined the Army National Guard in December 2003. His wife, Amanda, described her husband as a compassionate, outgoing person who didn't know a stranger, and who loved his children, 8-year-old Hayley West and 11-month-old Jaden. He was expected home in three weeks for the baby's first birthday; and
WHEREAS, during his funeral, Private Barron was awarded the Bronze Star, the Mississippi Medal of Valor and the Purple Heart posthumously by Major General Harold Cross, Adjutant General of Mississippi; 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, Amanda Campbell Barron; two daughters, Jaden Barron of Byram, Mississippi, and Hayley West of Vancleave, Mississippi; mother, Cindy Barron of Yakima, Washington; three brothers, Terry L. Barron of Pineville, Louisiana, Terry Barron of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Cory Barron of Yakima, Washington; six sisters, Cindy Whittington and Cathy Barron both of Pineville, Louisiana, Bonita Rachal of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Jodi Daniels, Susie Nolan and Sandy Barron all of Gulfport, Mississippi; grandparents, Bessie Robinson of Natchitoches, Louisiana, and Mabelyn and Cosimo Liberto of Gulfport, Mississippi; and numerous other relatives and close friends; 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 Private First Class Bryan Barron of Gulfport, Mississippi, who was killed in action on Monday, May 23, 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 Private Barron and be made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.