Bill Text: SC H3221 | 2013-2014 | 120th General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Captain John David Hortman
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 77-46)
Status: (Passed) 2013-01-08 - Introduced and adopted [H3221 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2013-H3221-Introduced.html
A HOUSE RESOLUTION
TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE SUPREME SACRIFICE MADE BY CAPTAIN JOHN DAVID HORTMAN OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY WHILE SERVING ON A TRAINING MISSION AT FORT BENNING, GEORGIA; TO EXPRESS TO HIS FAMILY THE DEEPEST APPRECIATION OF A GRATEFUL STATE AND NATION FOR HIS LIFE, SACRIFICE, AND SERVICE; AND TO DECLARE JUNE 9, 2013, AS JOHN DAVID HORTMAN DAY IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, on behalf of all South Carolinians, acknowledge with deep appreciation the great sacrifice the men and women of the United States Armed Forces make for the ideals of freedom and justice, which are so richly enjoyed in this nation; and
Whereas, Captain John David Hortman of the United States Army stands high among those servicemen and women so honored by their country; and
Whereas, in preparation for his military career, in 2004 John David Hortman, a native of Inman, graduated from the United States Military Academy with a degree in history. Upon completion of Initial Entry Rotary Wing Training, he was assigned to Fort Drum, New York, where he served in multiple positions, including scout platoon leader and company commander. Following his assignment to Fort Drum, he attended the Aviation Captain's Career Course at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Having received a successful assessment in 2010, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, as an AH-6M special operations light attack helicopter platoon leader. He was an esteemed member of the elite Night Stalker aviators; and
Whereas, as a man of living faith, he felt that in his work he was doing exactly "what God put [him] on this earth to do"; and
Whereas, a combat veteran with three deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, John David Hortman earned numerous awards, including the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Aviator Badge, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Ranger Tab; and
Whereas, on August 8, 2011, at the age of thirty, Captain Hortman lost his life for the cause of freedom when his light attack helicopter crashed on a live-fire range at Fort Benning, Georgia, during an exercise with Army Rangers and other special operations troops; and
Whereas, the House of Representatives offers its deepest sympathy to Captain Hortman's family in their loss: his mother, Brenda Jones of Inman; a sister, Jill Hortman of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and a brother, Andy Pierce of Overland Park, Kansas; and
Whereas, there is no greater or more courageous sacrifice a man can make than to lay down his life for a noble cause, as Captain John David Hortman has done; and
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives counts it a great privilege to remember Captain John David Hortman, and the members with one voice offer their grateful thanks to Almighty God for the service and ultimate sacrifice of this heroic son of liberty. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor and remember the supreme sacrifice made by Captain John David Hortman of the United States Army while serving on a training mission at Fort Benning, Georgia; express to his family the deepest appreciation of a grateful State and nation for his life, sacrifice, and service; and declare June 9, 2013, as John David Hortman Day in South Carolina.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to the family of Captain John David Hortman.
