MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Parker, Blackwell, Massey, Barnett, Chassaniol, Dearing, DeBar, Doty, Fillingane, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Watson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE SERVICE OF LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE WALLACE EUGENE BURCH, 25, OF HORN LAKE, MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Junior Grade Wallace Eugene Burch, 25, died on October 1, 2017, as a result of a training accident, when the T-45C aircraft, which Wallace and Lieutenant Patrick L. Ruth were flying, crashed in Tellico Plains, Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, Wallace was born on October 15, 1991, in Nashville, Tennessee, to Dr. William Eugene Burch and Adrienne Louise Starling. Wallace graduated from DeSoto Central High School in 2010 and Mississippi State University in 2014. Wallace attended Naval Officer Candidate School in September 2014. Following graduation and commissioning as an Ensign with Class 05-15E on January 16, 2015, Wallace reported to Aviation Preflight Indoctrination in Pensacola, Florida; and
WHEREAS, after Indoctrination in Pensacola, Florida, Wallace reported to VT-6 for Primary Flight Training in the T-6B, in June 2015. While there, Wallace was awarded the Commodore's List with Distinction for superior performance during training. In April 2016 Wallace was selected for the Strike Training Pipeline and reported to VT-7 in Meridian, Mississippi. He was a member of Class 16-95 with VT-7 and finished Intermediate Jet Training in March 2017; and
WHEREAS, Wallace is survived by his mother, Adrienne Louise Starling Moore; father and stepmother, Dr. William Eugene and Jennifer Burch; brothers: Lance Corporal Reed Edward Burch, Clayton Evan Burch, and Maximus Macleod Moore; sister, Maggie Mae Moore; maternal grandmother, Althea Jett Starling; paternal grandmother, Linda Bailey Burch; and girlfriend, Amber Madison. Wallace is also survived by his aunts, uncles, cousins, stepbrothers, a stepsister, and many close friends; and
WHEREAS, Wallace Burch was a loving son who is counted among America's heroes, committed to our nation's safety and security. To a country, a fallen soldier or sailor means a national loss; to a community, a fallen soldier or sailor means a true hero; to a child, wife or parent, a fallen soldier or sailor means a father, 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 commend the life of Lieutenant Junior Grade Wallace Eugene Burch of Horn Lake, Mississippi, who was lost in a training exercise in Tennessee on October 1, 2017, 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 Lieutenant Junior Grade Wallace Eugene Burch and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.