S*1271 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
 GUNNERY SERGEANT RALPH EARL PATE, JR., UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS, WHILE
 SERVING A TOUR OF DUTY IN AFGHANISTAN, AND TO EXPRESS TO HIS FAMILY THE
 PROFOUND 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 6)
   03/01/12  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence
                     (House Journal-page 6)

TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE SUPREME SACRIFICE MADE BY GUNNERY SERGEANT RALPH EARL PATE, JR., UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS, WHILE SERVING A TOUR OF 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, on June 26, 2011, at the age of 29, Gunnery Sergeant Ralph Earl Pate, Jr., gave his life in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations; and

Whereas, assigned to the 2nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistic Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Gunnery Sergeant Pate answered his country's call and deployed with his company to Afghanistan; and

Whereas, he leaves behind his beloved wife, Kimberly Pate of the United States Air Force, and two loving children, Brianna and Ashton; and

Whereas, he also left behind his loving mother, Inez Stroud, in his hometown of Mullins and two sisters; 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, Gunnery Sergeant Ralph Earl Pate, Jr., received the Palmetto Patriot Award from former Lieutenant Governor André Bauer; 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, Gunnery Sergeant Ralph Earl Pate, 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 Gunnery Sergeant Ralph Earl Pate, Jr., United States Marine Corps, while serving a tour of 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 Gunnery Sergeant Ralph Earl Pate, Jr.