| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Words cannot adequately express the heartache felt |
|
|
at the loss of Texas Army National Guard Sergeant Anthony Luke Mason |
|
|
of Springtown, who died while bravely serving his country on |
|
|
September 18, 2008, at the age of 37; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation, 36th |
|
|
Combat Aviation Brigade in Grand Prairie, Sergeant Mason was one of |
|
|
seven soldiers killed when the Chinook helicopter he was riding in |
|
|
went down near Tallil, Iraq; at the time, he was serving his second |
|
|
tour of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Originally from Panama, Sergeant Mason arrived in |
|
|
the United States as an infant and was lovingly raised by his |
|
|
grandparents, Robert Boynton and the late Mary Irene Boynton; he |
|
|
was devoted to his family and his country, serving in the Texas Army |
|
|
National Guard for nearly 12 years; a talented mechanic, he enjoyed |
|
|
utilizing his skills to repair cars in his free time; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Americans owe a profound debt to our nation's |
|
|
servicemen and servicewomen, whose love for their country inspires |
|
|
them to take up military service, and their dedicated efforts and |
|
|
enormous sacrifices are deserving of their fellow citizens' deepest |
|
|
respect and gratitude; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Exemplifying the highest ideals of the U.S. armed |
|
|
forces, Luke Mason inspired others with his commitment, leadership, |
|
|
and courage; although his death has left a void in the lives of his |
|
|
loved ones, they will forever carry memories of this heroic Texan |
|
|
close in their hearts; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Sergeant Anthony Luke |
|
|
Mason and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to |
|
|
his wife, Melanie Mason; to his daughters, Nikki, Jamie, Megan, and |
|
|
Sarah Mason; to his grandfather and step-grandmother, Robert and |
|
|
Anita Boynton; to his mother and stepfather, Mary Jean and Floyd |
|
|
Harmon; to his father, James Mason; to his siblings, Annette Cihak |
|
|
and Wesley Mason; to his half-brothers, J. B. and Ray Mason; and to |
|
|
his other relatives and many friends; 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 Sergeant |
|
|
Anthony Luke Mason. |