MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Dickerson, Albritton, Baria, Blount, Brown, Browning, Bryan, Burton, Butler (36th), Butler (38th), Carmichael, Chassaniol, Clarke, Davis, Dawkins, Dearing, Fillingane, Flowers, Frazier, Gollott, Gordon, Harden, Hewes, Hopson, Horhn, Hudson, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Lee (35th), Lee (47th), McDaniel, Mettetal, Michel, Moffatt, Montgomery, Powell, Simmons, Stone, Tollison, Turner, Ward, Watson, Wilemon, Yancey
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND MOURNING THE LOSS OF UNITED STATES ARMY SERGEANT ERIC C. NEWMAN OF WAYNESBORO, MISSISSIPPI, WHO DIED ON OCTOBER 14, 2010, FROM WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION IN AFGHANISTAN, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, United States Army Sergeant Eric C. Newman, age 30, of Waynesboro, Mississippi, died on Thursday, October 14, 2010, of wounds he suffered when insurgents attacked his unit in Akatzai Kalay, Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Newman was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment, 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and was on his second tour of duty; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Newman was an outstanding individual according to Waynesboro Police Chief James Bunch "and it doesn't surprise me at all that he would sacrifice himself for his country." Eric Newman was raised to be a patriot, be respectful, do right and follow orders. Eric graduated from Wayne County High School where he served in the ROTC and worked for the local Police Department before joining the Army in 2006 and was deployed to Iraq shortly thereafter. He returned and was one of the first soldiers assigned to the 1st Squadron 38th Cavalry Regiment in early 2009; and
WHEREAS, his hometown of Waynesboro is grieving the loss of this young hero. As the American flag was carefully folded by members of the Army Honor Guard, hundreds sat in silent reverence on Saturday, October 23, 2010, as Sergeant Newman was laid to rest in Hebron Cemetery in Waynesboro. Carried by an Army Honor Guard, he returned to the family he loved and to his hometown, and was buried with full military honors. During the funeral, he was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal and his awards included nine other Army decorations. His commanding officer, Brigadier General Robert Ashley, spoke at the funeral: "The success of Iraq is a direct result of Eric's contribution. He was not a timid soldier, he made a difference in many lives. Eric was a hero and a national treasure. The highest praise I can give to him is to say 'I served with him in combat'"; and
WHEREAS, according to his family, he loved serving his country and was a true soldier. He is survived by his wife, Charidy Newman of Fayetteville, North Carolina; mother, Dianne Newman of Waynesboro, Mississippi; step daughter, Larissa Leigh of Fayetteville, North Carolina; sister, Kimberly Delbosco (Jonathan) of Greenbrier, Tennessee; grandmother, Rowena Loper of Waynesboro, Mississippi; grandmother Jolene Newman of Jackson, Mississippi; uncle, Michael Earl Newman of Jackson, Mississippi; aunt, Sandra Newman of Jackson; and many close friends; and
WHEREAS, since operations began in Iraq and Afghanistan, at least 73 soldiers or sailors with strong Mississippi ties have died in action; and
WHEREAS, Eric Newman was a loving husband, father 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 wife or parent, a fallen soldier means a husband or 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 mourn the loss of United States Army Sergeant Eric C. Newman of Waynesboro, Mississippi, who died on October 14, 2010, from wounds received in action in Afghanistan, and extend the thoughts and prayers of the Legislature to his family in honor of their sacrifice and our sorrow on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Sergeant Newman and made available to the
Capitol Press Corps.