Senate Concurrent Resolution 614

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND COMMENDING THE LIFE OF UNITED STATES ARMY PRIVATE BARRY MAYO OF ECRU, MISSISSIPPI, WHO DIED FROM AN EXPLOSION NEAR HIS UNIT WHILE ON COMBAT OPERATIONS IN IRAQ ON MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2007, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, United States Army Private Barry W. Mayo, 21, of Ecru, Mississippi, and two other soldiers died on Monday, March 5, 2007, in Baqubah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their unit while on combat operations; and

WHEREAS, Private Mayo was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas; and

WHEREAS, carried by an Army Honor Guard, he returned to his home, his family and his community, and was buried on Friday, March 16, 2007, in Union Hill Cemetery in Myrtle, Mississippi, with full military honors; and

WHEREAS, flags are flying at half-staff around the town of Ecru, Mississippi, which has lost its second Iraq casualty in less than two years (Marine Corporal Clifton Mounce was killed in Iraq in July 2005); and

WHEREAS, he first went to Iraq after he turned 18 years-old, said Patricia Mayo, the soldier's grandmother. "He had come back home and had been back for two weeks before he went back on February 20, 2007, his 21st birthday," she said. He is remembered by family and friends as having a great sense of humor and a love for basketball; and

WHEREAS, since operations began in Iraq and Afghanistan, at least 48 soldiers or sailors with Mississippi ties have died in action; and

WHEREAS, Private Mayo's parents are John Alton and Becky Mayo of Ecru, Mississippi; and Robert and Kim Kidd Yarbrough of Pflugerville, Texas. He is also survived by his brother, Andy Lee Mayo of Myrtle, Mississippi; his grandparents are John Henry and Patricia Mayo of Myrtle, Mississippi; and Roger Kidd of New Albany, Mississippi; Patsy Nobles of Hickory Flatt, Mississippi; Thomas and Shirley Stanford of New Albany, Mississippi; and Robert II and Sandy Yarbrough of Austin, Texas; and many close friends; and

WHEREAS, Barry Mayo was a loving son and grandson 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 Army Private Barry W. Mayo of Ecru, Mississippi, who died from an explosion near his unit while on combat operations on Monday, March 5, 2007, 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 Private Mayo and be made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.