A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

To request the Department of Transportation name the intersection of United States Highways 278 and 301 in the Town of Allendale in Allendale County "Petty Officer 1st Class Johnnie Doctor Jr. Memorial Intersection" and place appropriate signs or markers at this location containing these words.

 

Whereas, on September 11, 2001, our nation suffered an unspeakable tragedy, and among those lost was Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Johnnie Doctor Jr. of Allendale whose life was taken when hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 plunged into the Pentagon, one of a series of terrorist attacks that claimed thousands of innocent victims; and

 

Whereas, Doctor was born October 21, 1968, to Evelena Walker Doctor and Johnny Doctor Sr. He graduated from Allendale-Fairfax High School in 1986 and months later, on August 19, 1986, enlisted into the United States Navy at Fort Jackson. For the next fourteen years he led an adventurous life of travel that took him from Japan, Russia, and Australia to Jacksonville, San Diego, and Charleston. He served in the Navy as an information systems technician first class and relished his job; and

 

Whereas, awards and decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal (3), a Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon, the Navy "E" or Battle Efficiency Ribbon, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3), National Defense Service Medal, and a Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation; and

 

Whereas, to those who knew him, Petty Officer Doctor was the rock of the family, a supporter of friends, the good son who helped take care of the family as a youth, and the star athlete who loved sports. But at heart, Johnnie Doctor Jr. was a Navy man who loved everything about the service and his family. On his return from far-flung ports, he always would bring back a T-shirt or other mementos for his wife Andrea and stepchildren Anthony and Lydeda; and

 

Whereas, as much as he loved serving in the Navy, the Petty Officer Doctor wanted more. He had started taking criminology classes at the University of the District of Columbia with thoughts of becoming a state trooper. Andrea Doctor said, "He was so full of life and excited for what was about to come"; and

 

Whereas, the family of Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Johnnie Doctor Jr. buried his remains, identified through DNA testing, at Beaufort National Cemetery two months after his tragic death. Gone was the well-spoken, well-dressed, well-mannered brother with the Colgate smile; and

 

Whereas, the tragedy that occurred on September 11, 2001, will forever be seared into America's conscience. Thus, it is only fitting and proper that South Carolina native son and hero, Petty Officer 1st Class Johnnie Doctor Jr. who lost his life that day while serving his country, be forever honored with a highway intersection named in his memory. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

 

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, request the Department of Transportation name the intersection of United States Highways 278 and 301 in the Town of Allendale in Allendale County "Petty Officer 1st Class Johnnie Doctor Jr. Memorial Intersection" and place appropriate signs or markers at this location containing these words.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.

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