A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

To request the Department of Transportation name Moody Road in the Town of Martin in Allendale County from Millet Road to Patterson Mill Drive "Sgt. Orenthial J. 'O.J.' Smith Memorial Road" and erect appropriate markers or signs at this location containing these words.

 

Whereas, born September 20, 1981, Orenthial J. (O.J.) Smith was the son of Ms. Irateen Smith. At an early age he joined St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church where he served as an usher and performed the duties of the superintendent and church secretary when they were absent; and

 

Whereas, he attended public schools in Allendale County, graduating from Allendale-Fairfax High School in 1999. With his eyes on the future, O.J. enlisted in the United States Army after graduation so he would be able to attend college. He left for bootcamp fourteen days after graduation, reporting to Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia, for basic training. Upon completion of his first two-year stint, he reenlisted for six more years; and

 

Whereas, his Army career took him to Dexheim, Germany, for four years in January 2002 where he was a truck driver with the Army 123^rd main support battalion. O.J. made a great impression on his superiors who encouraged him to train for sergeant. He completed the course, took the exam, and graduated ninth out of a class of one hundred twenty-seven with a grade point average of 94.56; and

 

Whereas, O.J. loved serving his country and received numerous awards for his accomplishments. In March 2003, he called his family to proudly announce his promotion to sergeant. On May 6, 2003, he was deployed and left Germany for Kuwait in the Middle East. On Sunday, June 22, 2003, he received official confirmation of his promotion to sergeant. A few hours later, Sgt. O.J. Smith was killed when his convoy came under attack in Baghdad. He was laid to rest on July 2, 2003, in the cemetery at St., Mary Missionary Baptist Church with full military honors; and

 

Whereas, Sgt. Smith was memorialized in Dexheim, Germany, with a dining hall named in his honor. He also posthumously received the Bronze Star, awarded for heroic meritorious achievement in ground combat, and the Purple Heart, awarded to service members who are wounded or killed in action against an enemy of the United States or a foreign force; and

 

Whereas, it is only fitting and proper that Sgt. Orenthial J. Smith, a son of the Palmetto State who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending this country abroad, be remembered with the road in his hometown of Martin 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 Moody Road in the Town of Martin in Allendale County from Millet Road to Patterson Mill Drive "Sgt. Orenthial J. 'O.J.' Smith Memorial Road" and erect appropriate markers or signs 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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