House Resolution 147

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ESTEEMED CAREER AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT HAROLD B. WILCHER, AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, after more than 40 years of dedicated and zealous service as a public servant and defender of freedom, Chief Master Sergeant Harold B. Wilcher was relieved from assignment with the 172nd Airlift Wing and honorably discharged from the Mississippi Air National Guard effective April 3, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Chief Wilcher served his country dutifully and faithfully from March 16, 1971, to April 3, 2011, as an aeromedical evacuation technician in the 183rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron of Jackson, Mississippi, within the 172nd Airlift Wing; and

WHEREAS, Chief Master Sergeant is the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the United States Air Force, and, having gained the respect of his constituents, peers and colleagues, his ethical morale, character and rapport precedes him in community and military circles, as evidenced by his lengthy tenure and high ranking in the Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, Chief Wilcher's dynamic leadership qualities, selfless efforts and expert technical skills contributed greatly to the success of the total force aeromedical evacuation mission, and his exceptional accomplishments reflect great credit upon himself and the Mississippi Air National Guard; and

WHEREAS, over the years, Chief Wilcher amassed an impressive 2,211 flight hours and 33 combat hours in support of high profile missions, and during Hurricane Katrina, he served as superintendent in the aeromedical evacuation command cell, aiding in the evacuation of over 1,400 personnel to safety; and

WHEREAS, Chief Wilcher resides with his loving wife, Deborah, in the community of Edinburg, Mississippi, located in Leake County near the City of Carthage, Mississippi, and they have two children, Michael and Melanie; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the remarkable career and public service of such an equally remarkable, talented, fair and knowledgeable individual as Chief Wilcher, who has dedicated more than four decades of his life to serving and defending the State of Mississippi and the United States of America:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the esteemed career and public service of Chief Master Sergeant Harold B. Wilcher, congratulate him upon the occasion of his retirement and extend warmest wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors and for good health, happiness and peace of mind in the lighter years of his life.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Chief Wilcher and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.