S*0666 Concurrent Resolution, By Knotts, Alexander, Anderson, Bright, Bryant, 
Campbell, Campsen, Cleary, Coleman, Courson, Cromer, Davis, Elliott, Fair, Ford, 
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
 SERGEANT LUTHER WILLARD "WILL" RABON, JR., OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA ARMY NATIONAL
 GUARD WHILE HE WAS SERVING A TOUR OF MILITARY DUTY IN AFGHANISTAN, AND TO
 EXPRESS TO HIS FAMILY THE PROFOUND APPRECIATION OF A GRATEFUL STATE AND NATION
 FOR HIS LIFE, SACRIFICE, AND SERVICE.

   03/03/11  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House
                     (Senate Journal-page 12)
   03/08/11  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence
                     (House Journal-page 52)

TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE SUPREME SACRIFICE MADE BY SERGEANT LUTHER WILLARD "WILL" RABON, JR., OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD WHILE HE WAS SERVING A TOUR OF MILITARY DUTY IN AFGHANISTAN, AND TO EXPRESS TO HIS FAMILY THE PROFOUND APPRECIATION OF A GRATEFUL STATE AND NATION FOR HIS LIFE, SACRIFICE, AND SERVICE.

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

Whereas, born in Lexington on August 21, 1978, Luther "Will" Rabon was the son of Luther Willard Rabon, Sr., and Martha Elizabeth Martin Rabon; and

Whereas, an avid outdoorsman, he joined the South Carolina National Guard in February of 2007 and completed Advanced Individual Training; and

Whereas, answering the call of his country to serve in Afghanistan in July of 2010, he deployed with his unit, the 1221st Engineer Clearance Company of the Army National Guard from Graniteville, whose mission was to clear roadways for military convoys; and

Whereas, on October 1, 2010, at the age of thirty-two, Sergeant Luther Willard Rabon, Jr., gave his life in Paktika Province, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device; and

Whereas, there is no greater or braver sacrifice for a man to make for his country than to lay down his life; therefore, for his valor, Sergeant Luther Willard Rabon, Jr., received the Palmetto Patriot Award from former Lieutenant Governor André Bauer; and

Whereas, he has left behind his beloved wife, Catherine; three loving daughters, Summer, Grace, and Trinity; one fine son, Noah; and countless other family members and friends; and

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is honored to remember the life and sacrifice of a brave son and hero of the Palmetto State, Sergeant Luther Willard "Will" Rabon, Jr. 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 Sergeant Luther Willard "Will" Rabon, Jr., of the South Carolina Army National Guard while he was serving a tour of military duty in Afghanistan, and express to his family the profound 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 Sergeant Luther Willard "Will" Rabon, Jr.