South Carolina General Assembly
118th Session, 2009-2010

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Bill 4126


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A HOUSE RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE MR. GASSIE FERRELL, JR., FORMERLY OF RIDGELAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS NINETIETH BIRTHDAY, AND TO WISH HIM A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND CONTINUED HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are delighted to learn that former Ridgeland native, Mr. Gassie Ferrell, Jr., known affectionately to all as "Junior" Ferrell will be celebrating his ninetieth birthday with family and friends here in the Palmetto State on June 26, 2009; and

Whereas, like so many of his contemporaries during the Great Depression, Mr. Ferrell left home to serve in both the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps before enlisting in the U. S. Army in 1938; and

Whereas, just prior to America's entry into World War II, Mr. Ferrell was assigned to Hickam Field on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii, working in ammunition supply and was aboard the USS Arizona on the night of December 6, 1941, his shift ending just a few hours before the gallant ship was sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor; and

Whereas, Mr. Ferrell continued to answer his nation's call, eventually landing on Normandy's Omaha Beach at 0900 hours on D-Day, June 6, 1941, and to this day, he recalls stepping off his landing craft and into neck-high water; and

Whereas, Mr. Ferrell went on to serve with General George Patton during the Battle of the Bulge and still remembers the legendary General's famous order to his chaplain that through official prayer, God should be informed of the dire predicament confronting the Allies who could not assert their air dominance in bad weather; and

Whereas, Mr. Ferrell's distinguished military career later took him to the battlefields of Korea and Vietnam where he ultimately achieved the rank of major and received the Purple Heart and multiple Bronze Stars; and

Whereas, Mr. Ferrell's beloved wife, Lily, passed away in 1968, and his son now resides in Thailand; and

Whereas, Mr. Ferrell is blessed with five wonderful grandchildren plus numerous relatives and countless friends on both coasts. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Mr. Gassie Ferrell, Jr., formerly of Ridgeland, South Carolina, on the occasion of his ninetieth birthday, and wish him a joyous birthday celebration and continued health and happiness.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Gassie Ferrell, Jr.

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This web page was last updated on June 16, 2009 at 1:21 PM