Senate Concurrent Resolution 516

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND COMMENDING THE LIFE OF UNITED STATES ARMY SERGEANT WILLARD TODD PARTRIDGE OF NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS KILLED IN IRAQ ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2005.

WHEREAS, United States Army Sergeant Willard Todd Partridge, a military policeman who had just turned 35, was killed on Saturday, August 20, 2005, when a bomb exploded near the vehicle he was driving while on duty near Baghdad, Iraq. Sergeant Partridge was assigned to the 170th Military Police Company, 504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade, Fort Lewis, Washington; and

WHEREAS, carried by military honor guard, he came home to his community and family to be buried on Friday, September 2, 2005, with full military honors; and

WHEREAS, since military operations began in Iraq and Afghanistan, 38 soldiers or sailors with Mississippi ties have been killed during operations; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Partridge was born in Ferriday, Concordia Parish, Louisiana, and he grew up in Natchez, Mississippi. It was in a quest to better support his family that Sergeant Partridge, a 1988 South Natchez High School graduate who trained in refrigeration and welding at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, joined the Army. He had only been in the service for two years; and

WHEREAS, family members remembered Sergeant Partridge as a wonderful father. He loved the outdoors, was an avid hunter, and advanced to regional and state championships in baseball in his youth, showing talent as a pitcher. He was also remembered as a committed Christian; the family attended First Baptist Church in Natchez; and

WHEREAS, at his funeral, Sergeant Partridge was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Mississippi Medal of Valor by Brigadier General Troy Williams; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Partridge is survived by his wife, Rhonda; two daughters, Kelsee and Kymberlee, ages 11 and 9, respectively; 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 Army Sergeant Willard Todd Partridge of Natchez, Mississippi, who was killed in action in Iraq on Saturday, August 20, 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 Partridge and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.