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79R19251 MMS-D

By:  Uresti                                                       H.R. No. 2114



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Words cannot express the heartache felt at the loss 
of Lance Corporal Lance Tanner Graham of San Antonio, who died in 
Iraq on May 7, 2005, at the age of 26; and
	WHEREAS, Corporal Graham was a gunner and a member of the 4th 
Reconnaissance Battalion detachment that was attached to Weapons 
Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, 
Marine Forces Reserve; deployed to Iraq in March 2005, this 
courageous Texan died in an attack on his convoy in Al Anbar 
Province; and
	WHEREAS, Lance Graham was born in Kankakee, Illinois, on 
October 4, 1978, and graduated from Madison High School in San 
Antonio; he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on February 26, 
2003, and completed recruit training in San Diego, California, 
before attending the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, 
California, and the Combat Service Support School at Camp Lejeune, 
North Carolina; and
	WHEREAS, Assigned to Headquarters and Service Company, 4th 
Reconnaissance Battalion, in San Antonio in December 2003, he was 
activated in January 2005 and completed predeployment training at 
Twentynine Palms, California; and
	WHEREAS, Lance Graham's warm smile and gentle nature endeared 
him to his family and a host of friends, and his thoughtfulness and 
concern for others touched many hearts; following his deployment, 
he became a pen pal of a third grade class, and rather than writing 
to the group as a whole, he wrote letters back to individual 
students; and
	WHEREAS, Standing six feet, five inches, Corporal Graham was 
also known for his tremendous strength, an asset that stood him in 
good stead during his volunteer work with the Selma and Bracken fire 
departments; endowed as well with a joyful, adventurous spirit, he 
was always ready to try something new, from painting water towers to 
working on a fishing boat off the coast of Alaska; and
	WHEREAS, Following a service attended by hundreds at 
Northeast Bible Church, Corporal Graham was laid to rest in Fort Sam 
Houston National Cemetery; his military awards include the Global 
War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism 
Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization 
Device, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Purple Heart; 
and
	WHEREAS, Notwithstanding the hazardous nature of his 
assignment, Corporal Graham performed his mission with dedication 
and professionalism; his unfaltering devotion to duty, honor, and 
this country reflected the highest ideals of the U.S. Marine Corps, 
and his fellow citizens owe him a debt of gratitude that the passage 
of time can never diminish; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay special tribute to the life of Lance 
Corporal Lance Tanner Graham and extend deepest sympathy to the 
members of his family: to his mother and father, Sherry and Joseph 
Graham; to his brothers, Ryan and Kyle Graham; and to the other 
relatives and many friends of this beloved young man; and, be it 
further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Lance 
Corporal Lance Tanner Graham.