S*1279 Concurrent Resolution, By Knotts, Alexander, Anderson, Bright, Bryant, 
Campbell, Campsen, Cleary, Coleman, Courson, Cromer, Davis, Elliott, Fair, Ford, 
Gregory, Grooms, Hayes, Hutto, Jackson, Land, Leatherman, Leventis, Lourie, 
Malloy, L. Martin, S. Martin, Massey, Matthews, McConnell, McGill, Nicholson, 
O'Dell, Peeler, Pinckney, Rankin, Reese, Rose, Ryberg, Scott, Setzler, Sheheen, 
Shoopman, Thomas, Verdin and Williams
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE SUPREME SACRIFICE MADE BY
 SENIOR AIRMAN NICHOLAS J. ALDEN OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE WHILE EN ROUTE
 TO A TOUR OF MILITARY DUTY IN AFGHANISTAN, AND TO EXPRESS TO HIS FAMILY THE
 DEEPEST APPRECIATION OF A GRATEFUL STATE AND NATION FOR HIS LIFE, SACRIFICE,
 AND SERVICE.

   02/29/12  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House
                     (Senate Journal-page 10)
   03/01/12  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence
                     (House Journal-page 10)

TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE SUPREME SACRIFICE MADE BY SENIOR AIRMAN NICHOLAS J. ALDEN OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE WHILE EN ROUTE TO A TOUR OF MILITARY DUTY IN AFGHANISTAN, AND TO EXPRESS TO HIS FAMILY THE DEEPEST APPRECIATION OF A GRATEFUL STATE AND NATION FOR HIS LIFE, SACRIFICE, AND SERVICE.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, on behalf of all South Carolinians, acknowledge with deep appreciation the great sacrifice that the men and women of the United States Armed Forces make for the ideals of freedom and justice, which are so richly enjoyed in this nation; and

Whereas, Senior Airman Nicholas J. Alden of the United States Air Force stands high among those servicemen and women so honored by their country; and

Whereas, as a committed serviceman, Senior Airman Nicholas J. Alden was assigned to the 48th Security Forces Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom. Answering the call of his country, he left his family and home to serve abroad as a part of the war on terror. His first tour of duty, already completed, had taken him to Iraq; for this second tour, he was deployed to Afghanistan; and

Whereas, on March 2, 2011, at the age of twenty-five, Senior Airman Alden lost his life for the cause of freedom while on his way to a tour of duty in Afghanistan, dying as a result of gunfire by an enemy extremist at the Frankfurt Airport in Germany; and

Whereas, the General Assembly offers its deepest sympathy to Senior Airman Alden's family in their loss: his wife, Patricia "Trish" Brooks Alden; his daughter, Lily; his son, William; his mother, Cathy Garner; and his father, James Alden; and

Whereas, there is no greater or more courageous sacrifice a man can make than to lay down his life for a noble cause, as Senior Airman Nicholas J. Alden has done, and to honor his valor, Senior Airman Alden has been named a recipient of the Palmetto Patriot Award, given by former Lieutenant Governor André Bauer; and

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly counts it a great privilege to remember Senior Airman Nicholas J. Alden, and the members with one voice offer their grateful thanks to Almighty God for the service and ultimate sacrifice of this heroic son of liberty. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, honor and remember the supreme sacrifice made by Senior Airman Nicholas J. Alden of the United States Air Force while en route to a tour of military duty in Afghanistan, and express to his family the deepest appreciation of a grateful State and nation for his life, sacrifice, and service.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Senior Airman Nicholas J. Alden.