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TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE SUPREME SACRIFICE MADE BY STAFF SERGEANT MATTHEW J. TAYLOR OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY WHILE HE WAS SERVING A TOUR OF MILITARY DUTY IN IRAQ, 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, Staff Sergeant Matthew J. Taylor of the United States Army stands high among those servicemen and women so honored by their country; and
Whereas, as a committed serviceman, Staff Sergeant Matthew J. Taylor was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Answering the call of his country, he left his beloved family behind in Goose Creek to serve in Iraq, having already served two tours of duty in Afghanistan; and
Whereas, on September 21, 2008, at the age of twenty-five, Staff Sergeant Taylor, a squad leader, lost his life in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds suffered when he received small-arms fire during dismounted operations; and
Whereas, he leaves his wife, Randi Taylor; his three young daughters, Ryann, Raegan, and Raina; his parents, Don and Kimberly Taylor; and his sister, Stefanie Arnold; and
Whereas, rightly proud of Staff Sergeant Taylor's accomplishments, the family cherishes his awards, which include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge; 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 Staff Sergeant Taylor has done, and to honor his valor, Staff Sergeant Taylor has been named a recipient of the Lieutenant Governor's Palmetto Patriot Award; and
Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly counts it a great privilege to remember Staff Sergeant Matthew J. Taylor, one of the Palmetto State's finest, and the members with one voice offer their grateful thanks to Almighty God for the service and ultimate sacrifice of this heroic son of South Carolina. 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 Matthew J. Taylor of the United States Army while he was serving a tour of military duty in Iraq, 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 Staff Sergeant Matthew J. Taylor.
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