MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2007 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Hyde-Smith, Albritton, Brown, Burton, Carmichael, Chaney, Chassaniol, Clarke, Dawkins, Dearing, Frazier, Gordon, Harden, Jackson (15th), Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, King, Little, Mettetal, Michel, Morgan, Nunnelee, Pickering, Ross, Thomas, Tollison, Walley, Walls, White, Wilemon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE MILITARY SERVICE AND COMMENDING THE LIFE OF FORMER MASTER SERGEANT AND IRAQ COMBAT VETERAN WILLIAM CRAIG REID OF MONTICELLO, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, Master Sergeant William Craig Reid, 48, of Monticello, Mississippi, died on March 1, 2007, as a result of injuries in a motor vehicle accident; and
WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Reid enlisted in the Mississippi National Guard on March 10, 1977. He began working full time for the National Guard under the Active Guard and Reserves Program on June 13, 1985; and
WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Reid was deployed to Desert Storm in December 1990, and Operation Iraqi Freedom in July 2004. Master Sergeant Reid was deployed to Iraq in January 2005 and returned home in December 2005; and
WHEREAS, while deployed, he received the Iraqi Campaign Medal (with M device), Army Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Mississippi War Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Mississippi Magnolia Cross and the Bronze Star Medal; and
WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Reid accomplished many milestones while serving in various leadership roles throughout the Army National Guard; and
WHEREAS, he was an active member of the Monticello Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon. His compassion and concern for children and the lost led him to start an Operation Christmas Child Relay Center at his church; and
WHEREAS, Craig is survived by his wife of 27 years, Susan; three children, Matthew of Tupelo, and Julie and Andrew of Monticello; grandson, Parker Landrum of Monticello; three brothers, Dr. Rusty Reid and Skip Reid, both of Monticello, and Phillip Reid of Brookhaven. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cannon and Tommie Reid; and
WHEREAS, carried by an Army Honor Guard, he was buried with full military honors on March 4, 2007; and
WHEREAS, William Reid was a loving father and husband 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. 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 service 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 military service and commend the life of United States Army Master Sergeant William Craig Reid of Monticello, Mississippi, 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 Reid and be made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.