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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The valiant military service of Gary Michael Rose is |
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being saluted as part of the 2019 Medal of Honor Host City Weekend |
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in Gainesville; and |
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WHEREAS, Established in 2001, Gainesville's Medal of Honor |
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Host City Program acknowledges the heroism and sacrifice of |
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individuals who have earned the Medal of Honor, the nation's |
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highest military award for valor; each year, local citizens join |
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together to fund travel costs and other expenses to bring medal |
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recipients to the city for a special series of events; and |
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WHEREAS, Gary Michael Rose was a sergeant in the U.S. Army |
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during the Vietnam War; a medic, he served with a company-sized |
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exploitation force, the 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special |
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Forces; from September 11 to 14, 1970, his company was continuously |
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engaged by a well-armed and much larger hostile force; repeatedly |
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exposed to heavy fire while treating the wounded, he was injured |
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himself when a B-40 rocket landed just meters away; nevertheless, |
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he carried on, rendering aid and trying to assist during a |
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helicopter rescue attempt that had to be aborted under an |
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unrelenting assault; and |
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WHEREAS, For two days, Sergeant Rose continued to brave enemy |
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fire to help the wounded; when the extraction helicopters arrived, |
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he loaded injured comrades, moved others awaiting evacuation, and |
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assisted in keeping the hostile force at bay; aboard the final |
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helicopter, as the enemy closed in, he saved the life of the door |
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gunner; he was injured again when the chopper crashed, but he pulled |
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others from the burning wreckage and administered aid until another |
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helicopter arrived; and |
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WHEREAS, Demonstrating extraordinary courage in the line of |
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duty, Gary Michael Rose fulfilled the highest ideals of the United |
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States armed forces, and he has earned the lasting admiration of a |
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grateful nation; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby pay tribute to Gary Michael Rose on the occasion of the 2019 |
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Medal of Honor Host City Weekend in Gainesville and commend him for |
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his exemplary service in the defense of our nation; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Rose as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives and Senate. |