MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 5th Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Browning, Albritton, Brown, Burton, Butler, Carmichael, Chaney, Clarke, Davis, Dawkins, Dearing, Flowers, Frazier, Gollott, Harden, Hewes, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jordan, King, Kirby, Lee (35th), Little, Mettetal, Moffatt, Morgan, Nunnelee, Pickering, Posey, Ross, Thames, Thomas, Tollison, Walls, White, Wilemon, Williamson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND COMMENDING THE LIFE OF UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS CORPORAL CLIFTON BLAKE MOUNCE OF ECRU, MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS KILLED IN IRAQ ON THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2005.
WHEREAS, Marine Corporal Clifton Blake Mounce, 22 (he would have been 23 on July 28), of Ecru, Mississippi, was killed on Thursday, July 14, 2005, when the vehicle in which he and another Marine assigned to Regimental Combat Team 2, 2nd Marine Division, was struck by an improvised explosive device near Trebil, Iraq; and
WHEREAS, carried by a military honor guard, he came home to his community and family, and was buried in the Ecru City Cemetery with full military honors and was awarded the Navy Cross and the Mississippi Medal of Valor by the Marine Major in charge of ceremonies; and
WHEREAS, since operations began in Iraq and Afghanistan, 37 soldiers or sailors with Mississippi ties have been killed. Corporal Mounce is the fourth northeast Mississippi soldier to die in Iraq and the second in less than a month; and
WHEREAS, in the Marines, he was known as Corporal Mounce, but at home, the North Pontotoc High School graduate was brother, husband, friend and son. He had a great sense of humor, and loved to fish, hunt and ride dirt bikes; and
WHEREAS, Corporal Mounce's parents, Pat and Johnny, said their son wanted to join the Marines after 9-11. He loved being a Marine and loved his fellow Marines. When he called home and asked for prayer, he didn't just ask for it for himself, but for everyone serving; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his parents, Blake is survived by Tiffany Mounce, his wife of three years, and he was the oldest of four siblings: Shea, 18, West, 15 and Nate, 12. Other survivors include paternal grandparents, Flake and Dorothy Mounce of Ecru; maternal grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Waymon Horton and the late Gladys Horton of Ecru; and mother- and father-in-law Keith and Rhonda Owen of Pontotoc; 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 this Mississippian; 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 United States Marine Corporal Clifton Blake Mounce of Ecru, Mississippi, who was killed in Iraq on Thursday, July 14, 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 family of Corporal Mounce and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.