MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2008 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jackson (15th), Burton, Turner, Butler, Lee (35th), Simmons, Stone, Watson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND COMMENDING THE LIFE OF UNITED STATES ARMY SERGEANT TAYLOR MCDAVID OF STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS LOST IN ACTION IN IRAQ ON MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2008, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, United States Army Sergeant Taylor McDavid, 29, of Starkville, Mississippi, was lost in action on Monday, March 10, 2008, along with four other soldiers conducting patrol operations when a suicide bomber detonated explosives in a Sunni Mansour neighborhood in Baghdad. Three other American soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter were injured in the blast in addition to those who died; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant McDavid was a tank operator with the United States Army's 1-64th Armored Division, 3rd Infantry. Taylor McDavid had been deployed to Iraq for 10 months and was due to return to the United States in July. He was in the middle of a 5-year Army enlistment. Sergeant McDavid held the rank of Specialist/Private First Class at the time of his death, and is being posthumously promoted to Sergeant; and
WHEREAS, carried by a United States Army Honor Guard, he returned to his home town and to his wife, Tiffany, and parents, Robert and Jean Alice McDavid of Starkville, and to his community. He was buried on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, at the Oddfellows Cemetery with full military honors; during the funeral he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Mississippi Medal of Honor; and
WHEREAS, Taylor McDavid was proud of being in the military and took his job as a soldier seriously. According to his family, he died doing what he loved, defending our freedom; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant McDavid attended both Starkville High School and Starkville Academy and had received an Associate Degree from Northeast Mississippi Community College, where he was a member of the band and a Dean's List Scholar. He also attended Mississippi State University where he studied accounting and played in the Famous Maroon Band. He was a third generation Past Master of the Abert Lodge No. 89, a fourth generation Master Mason, a Shriner, and a member of the Corinth Scottish Rite; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his wife, Tiffany, and parents, Robert and Jean, Taylor McDavid is survived by a sister, Leslie, and two nieces, Elizabeth and Ellen; and
WHEREAS, since operations began in Iraq and Afghanistan, at least 59 soldiers or sailors with Mississippi ties have died in action; and
WHEREAS, Taylor McDavid was a loving husband and son 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 Sergeant Taylor McDavid of Starkville, Mississippi, who was lost in action in Iraq on Monday, March 10, 2008, and extend the thoughts and prayers of the Legislature to his surviving family and our sorrow on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Sergeant Taylor McDavid and be made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.