S*1280 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
 STAFF SERGEANT THOMAS J. DUDLEY OF THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS 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.

   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 STAFF SERGEANT THOMAS J. DUDLEY OF THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS 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, on July 7, 2011, at the age of twenty-nine, Staff Sergeant Thomas J. Dudley gave his life in Helmand Province, Afghanistan while conducting combat operations; and

Whereas, assigned to the Marine Air Group 26, 2nd Marine Air Wing, 11 Marine Expeditionary Force stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Staff Sergeant Thomas J. Dudley answered his country's call and deployed with his group to Afghanistan; and

Whereas, he left behind his beloved wife, Mary L. Dudley, and their three loving children: Taylor, Thomas Carter, and Jenna Robyn, and his devoted mother Robyn Dudley, all in Fort Mill, as well as thirteen brothers and 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, Staff Sergeant Thomas J. Dudley 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, Staff Sergeant Thomas J. Dudley. 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 Staff Sergeant Thomas J. Dudley of the United States Marine Corps 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 Staff Sergeant Thomas J. Dudley.