House Concurrent Resolution 49

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND MOURNING THE LOSS OF UNITED STATES MARINE LANCE CORPORAL JOSHUA OSE OF HERNANDO, MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS LOST IN ACTION IN AFGHANISTAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2010, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, United States Marine Lance Corporal Joshua S. Ose, 19, of Hernando, Mississippi, was lost in action on September 20, 2010, while on foot patrol in Musa Qala, Helmand Province, Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Ose, who was promoted posthumously to Lance Corporal effective May 1, 2010, had been deployed with his unit, the 1st Battalion, 8th Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, to Afghanistan for less than three weeks at the time of his loss; and

WHEREAS, a 2009 graduate of Hernando High School and an only son, Josh began taking an interest in the military when he was in junior high, enlisted during his senior year, and became an enthusiastic marksman, a talent which he inherited from a family active in competition shooting; and

WHEREAS, Hernando Mayor Chip Johnson stated that, "Josh was the best shot in the Hernando Rifle and Pistol Club and was very excited about military service."; and

WHEREAS, Corporal Ose was the first child baptized by the Reverend Chip Hatcher, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Hernando, who said, "Josh will always represent the noble ideals of patriotism and self-sacrifice. He loved the Marine Corps and the nation he had pledged to defend."; and

WHEREAS, carried by a Marine Honor Guard, he returned to the family he loved, to be buried with full military honors on September 28, 2010, in Hernando Memorial Park Cemetery, a United States flag was flown over the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., on September 21, 2010, in Lance Corporal's honor, and Hernando City flags were flown at half-staff in his honor; and

WHEREAS, survivors of Lance Corporal Ose include: his parents, Ross and Sissy Fernandez Ose, of Hernando; grandparents, Darlene and Earl Ose, of Indianapolis, Indiana; aunts and uncles, Scott and Sherry Fernandez of Hernando, Brenda and John Conrad of Tupelo, Dr. Wendy Ose of Cary, North Carolina, and Sarah Ose of Round Lake, Michigan; great-aunt, Shirley Carter; and a host of cousins and friends; and

WHEREAS, since operations began in the War on Terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan, at least 75 soldiers or sailors with strong Mississippi ties have died in action, and Josh Ose is counted among Mississippi's and America's heroes, committed to our nation's safety and security; and

WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize the heroic actions of great Americans and Mississippians such as Lance Corporal Joshua S. Ose, who were the guardians of civilization as we know it today:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby remember the gallant service and mourn the loss of United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Joshua S. Ose of Hernando, Mississippi, who was lost in action in Afghanistan on September 20, 2010, and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Lance Corporal Ose and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.