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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The valiant military service of Gary George Wetzel |
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is being saluted as part of the 2019 Medal of Honor Host City |
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Weekend 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, U.S. Army Specialist Fourth Class Gary George Wetzel |
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received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Vietnam War; |
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on January 8, 1968, his unit, the 173rd Assault Helicopter Company, |
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11th Combat Aviation Battalion, became trapped in a landing zone; |
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his helicopter was disabled by a rocket-propelled grenade, and two |
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crewmembers were killed by enemy fire; this gallant soldier left |
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his post as a door gunner to provide aid to his aircraft commander |
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when another explosion shredded his arm and hurled him into a rice |
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paddy; despite his horrific injuries, he staggered back to his |
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machine gun and opened fire on the enemy, eliminating an automatic |
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weapons emplacement that had been inflicting heavy casualties on |
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the American forces; he then helped drag his wounded comrades to |
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safety, even though he repeatedly lost consciousness due to a loss |
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of blood; and |
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WHEREAS, Demonstrating extraordinary courage in the line of |
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duty, Gary Wetzel fulfilled the highest ideals of the United States |
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armed forces, and he has earned the lasting admiration of a grateful |
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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 George Wetzel 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. Wetzel as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives and Senate. |