Senate Concurrent Resolution 504

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND COMMENDING THE LIFE OF UNITED STATES ARMY SERGEANT COURTLAND A. KENNARD OF STARKVILLE MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN IRAQ ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2006, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, United States Army Sergeant Courtland A. Kennard, 22, of Starkville, Mississippi, was killed in action on Thursday, November 9, 2006, along with Staff Sergeant Gregory McCoy of Webberville, Michigan, when an explosive detonated near their vehicle in Baghdad, Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Kennard was assigned to the Army's 410th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade based in Fort Hood, Texas. The Associated Press has counted at least 45 soldiers with strong Mississippi ties who have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. One, Staff Sergeant Christopher L. Robinson, died in Afghanistan; the others were killed in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Courtland Kennard attended elementary school in Starkville, Mississippi, and graduated from an American high school in Wiesbaden, Germany, in 2002, while his father was stationed there. He was a teenager when he decided he would join the military. "When he got about 14 years old, he kind of just wanted to follow his daddy's footsteps," his great-uncle, Bobby Macon, said; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Kennard's parents, Douglas and Darlene Kennard, are moving back to Starkville, Mississippi, from Fort Hood, Texas, where Douglas Kennard recently retired after 21 years in the Army; and

WHEREAS, carried by an Army Honor Guard, he returned to his former home and was buried on Saturday, November 18, 2006, in the Memorial Garden Cemetery in Starkville, with full military honors; during the funeral he was awarded the Bronze Star; and

WHEREAS, since operations began in Iraq and Afghanistan, at least 45 soldiers or sailors with Mississippi ties have died in action; and

WHEREAS, he is survived by his parents; brother, Jamar Kennard; and grandparents, Emma Kennard and C.D., and Luevenia Simmons, all of Starkville, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Courtland Kennard is counted among America's heroes, committed to our nation's safety and security. 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 Courtland A. Kennard of Starkville, Mississippi, who was killed in action in Iraq on Thursday, November 9, 2006, and extend our thoughts and prayers to his family and our sorrow on his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Sergeant Kennard and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.