MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2007 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Clarke, Butler, Carmichael, Chaney, Chassaniol, Davis, Dearing, Fillingane, Frazier, Gollott, Hewes, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (15th), Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, King, Kirby, Lee (35th), Little, Robertson, Thomas, Walls, White, Wilemon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND COMMENDING THE LIFE OF UNITED STATES AIR FORCE CAPTAIN KERMIT O. EVANS OF HOLLANDALE, MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN IRAQ ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2006, AND EXPRESS THE SYMPATHY OF THE SENATE.
WHEREAS, United States Air Force Captain Kermit O. Evans, 31, a native of Hollandale in Washington County, Mississippi, was killed in action on Sunday, December 3, 2006, when the U.S. Marine Corps CH-46 helicopter he was riding in made an emergency water landing in western Al Anbar Province, Iraq, along with three other personnel; and
WHEREAS, a graduate of Mississippi State University with a degree in chemical engineering, Captain Evans was a Civil Engineer Explosive Ordnance Flight Commander and was the head of the bomb squad at the 27th Civil Engineer Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, and was deployed with the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Balad Air Base, Iraq. He was killed during his second tour of duty; and
WHEREAS, several memorial services were held for Captain Evans, including a service on Thursday, December 7, 2006, at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he and his wife, Perneathea, lived. They have a 13-month-old son, Kermit, Jr. A second memorial service was held on Saturday, December 9, 2006, at Simmons High School in his hometown of Hollandale. Carried by an Air Force Honor Guard, Captain Evans was laid to rest on Tuesday, December 12, 2006, in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia with full military honors. During the funeral, he was awarded appropriate military honors for fallen soldiers. Another memorial service was held on December 14, 2006, at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, New Mexico, where Captain Evans was commissioned as a Captain in 2005; and
WHEREAS, Captain Evan's parents are both retired teachers, whose honor student son earned a degree and joined the U.S. Air Force. Their son graduated third in his class from Simmons High School in Hollandale in 1993, where he was a Coca-Cola Scholar and member of the 4-H Club, and expressed an interest in the Air Force at an early age. As a Mississippi State student, he worked at Radio Shack in Columbus, Mississippi, and at Georgia-Pacific in Crossett, Arkansas, was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Fraternity and participated in all sports. He enlisted in the Air Force in August 2001 and was promoted to Captain in November 2005. Captain Evans was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq. He had received orders to return to Cannon Air Force Base in January and be redeployed; and
WHEREAS, since operations began in Iraq and Afghanistan, 46 soldiers or sailors with Mississippi ties have died in action; and
WHEREAS, Kermit is survived by his wife, Perneathea, and young son, Kermit, Jr.; his parents, Charles and Margaret Evans of Hollandale; his brother, Kervin O. Evans; and many close friends; and
WHEREAS, Kermit Evans was a loving father who 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 Air Force Captain Kermit O. Evans of Hollandale, Mississippi, who was killed in action in Iraq on Sunday, December 3, 2006, 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 Captain Kermit O. Evans and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.