H*4157 Concurrent Resolution, By G. Brown
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE
 GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF SOUTH CAROLINA UPON THE DEATH OF SERGEANT JULIUS R.
 WILKES, JR., OF FLORENCE WHO TRAGICALLY LOST HIS LIFE IN THE ARMY BLACK HAWK
 HELICOPTER ACCIDENT AT FORT CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY, ON APRIL 22, 1999, AND
 EXTENDING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

   05/25/99  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-170
   05/27/99  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-2

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF SOUTH CAROLINA UPON THE DEATH OF SERGEANT JULIUS R. WILKES, JR., OF FLORENCE WHO TRAGICALLY LOST HIS LIFE IN THE ARMY BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER ACCIDENT AT FORT CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY, ON APRIL 22, 1999, AND EXTENDING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

Whereas, on Thursday, April 22, 1999, an unfathomable tragedy occurred at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, when, during a training mission, a Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed to the ground. Seven soldiers lost their lives and four soldiers sustained serious injuries; and

Whereas, one of the fallen soldiers, Sergeant Julius R. Wilkes, Jr., was a twenty-three years old from Florence, South Carolina; and

Whereas, it is appropriate for this General Assembly to pause and honor the memory of this young man who was devoted, professionally, to his military career; and

Whereas, Sergeant Wilkes completed basic, advanced, and airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia, after enlisting in the Army in April, 1995; and

Whereas, he soon joined Alpha Company, Third Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky; and

Whereas, Sergeant Wilkes continued his education and training by completing the Air Assault School in February, 1996, and the Primary Leadership Development Course in August, 1998; and

Whereas, Fort Campbell is the headquarters for the 101st Airborne Division, the Army's only air assault division; and

Whereas, in November, 1998, Sergeant Wilkes joined the Pathfinder Company, Sixth Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 159th Aviation Brigade; and

Whereas, Sergeant Wilkes is the son of Julius and Audrey Wilkes of Florence. Mr. Wilkes, Sr., served in Vietnam and Julius always yearned to serve his country like his father. Sergeant Wilkes has a brother currently in the Air Force. Sergeant Wilkes married Paige Roberts Wilkes, and they have a son, Hunter; and

Whereas, it is appropriate for members of the General Assembly to pause in their deliberations so that they might honor the memory of one of the nation's and our State's finest young men who made the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life for his country; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly would like Sergeant Wilkes' family and friends to know that they are uppermost in the members' thoughts and that they have the members' deepest sympathy. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, express profound sorrow upon the death of Sergeant Julius R. Wilkes, Jr., of Florence who tragically lost his life in the Army Black Hawk helicopter accident at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, on April 22, 1999, and extend deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the family of Sergeant Julius R.Wilkes, Jr.