Bill Text: MS SC693 | 2010 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Commend life of Iraq casualty U.S. Army PFC Anthony Blount.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2010-04-28 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC693 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2010-SC693-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) King, Blount
Senate Concurrent Resolution 693
(As Adopted by Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND MOURNING THE LOSS OF UNITED STATES ARMY PRIVATE FIRST-CLASS ANTHONY BLOUNT OF PETAL, MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS LOST IN ACTION IN NORTHERN IRAQ ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2010, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, United States Army Private First-Class William A. (Anthony) Blount, age 21, of Petal, Mississippi, was lost in action on Wednesday, April 7, 2010, in Mosul, Iraq, when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device while he and an officer, Lt. Robert Collins, were conducting a patrol; and
WHEREAS, Private Blount was assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team headquartered at Fort Stewart in Savannah, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, Private Blount was three weeks away from coming home on leave to his wife, Amanda, for the birth of their first child, a little girl to be named Avery Elizabeth Blount. Anthony was a graduate of Petal High School and joined the military soon after graduating. He was an excellent soldier according to his commanding officer and was very outgoing and popular with a wonderful sense of humor. According to his high school friends, he was an excellent self-taught guitar player who loved life; and
WHEREAS, his hometown of Purvis is grieving the loss of this young hero. Carried by an Army Honor Guard and escorted by the Mississippi Army National Guard and local law enforcement officers, he returned to the family he loved and to his hometown, and was buried with full military honors. During the funeral, he was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal and the Mississippi Medal of Honor; and
WHEREAS, according to his family, he loved serving his country and was a true soldier. He is survived by his wife, Amanda; his daughter, Avery; his parents, Billy and Kay Blount of Petal; sisters, Laken Blount of Southaven and Lori McRae; brother-in-law, Nate McRae of Petal; and many close friends; and
WHEREAS, since operations began in Iraq and Afghanistan, at least 72 soldiers or sailors with strong Mississippi ties have died in action; and
WHEREAS, Anthony Blount was a loving husband, father and son who is counted among America's heroes, committed to our nation's safety and security. To a country, a fallen soldier means a national loss; to a community, a fallen soldier means a true hero; to a wife or parent, a fallen soldier means a husband or son who won't be coming home. Mississippians understand the costs of conflict, because we have paid them in the past, and it is with great pride and humility that we recognize the heroic action of this great American and Mississippian, who was the guardian of civilization as we know it today:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby remember the gallant service and mourn the loss of United States Army Private First-Class William A. (Anthony) Blount of Petal, Mississippi, who was lost in action in northern Iraq on Wednesday, April 7, 2010, and extend the thoughts and prayers of the Legislature to his family in honor of their sacrifice and our sorrow on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Private Blount and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
