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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The family and friends of United States Army |
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Specialist Rodney L. McCandless sustained a devastating loss with |
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the death of this courageous soldier on April 7, 2007, at the age of |
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21; and |
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WHEREAS, Assigned to the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, |
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3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, |
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North Carolina, Specialist McCandless was killed by an improvised |
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explosive device in Zaganiyah, Iraq; and |
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WHEREAS, Rodney McCandless joined the army in August 2005 and |
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subsequently completed advanced individual training and the basic |
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airborne course; he was a highly decorated soldier who received the |
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Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Achievement Medal |
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with one oak leaf cluster, the National Defense Service Medal, the |
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Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, |
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the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge, and the |
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Parachutist Badge; and |
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WHEREAS, Our state and nation are fortunate to have men and |
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women whose love for their country inspires them to volunteer for |
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military service, yet the tragic death of this brave young man is a |
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sobering reminder of the cost of war; Specialist McCandless |
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embodied the highest ideals of the U.S. armed forces, and those who |
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knew and loved him will forever carry him close in their hearts; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of U.S. Army Specialist |
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Rodney L. McCandless and extend deepest sympathy to the members of |
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his family: to his father, Virgil L. McCandless; to his mother, |
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Rhonda L. Cones; to his sister, Chassity McCandless; and to his |
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other relatives and many friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of U.S. Army |
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Specialist Rodney McCandless. |