Senate honors Idaho's fallen
|
|
March 15, 2013 |
Photos
http://www.militarytimes.com
In the past year, Idaho families laid to rest
five soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice in
service to their nation, and this morning the
Idaho legislature paid them honor, with Senator
Shawn Keough carrying the memorial for one of
Bonners Ferry's own, Specialist Ethan Martin, on
the Senate Floor.
"I was honored and humbled," she wrote later on
Facebook. "My heart aches for his family and for
the loss of Ethan's life in service to our
country. Idaho lost five servicemen in
Afghanistan over the last year. The Idaho State
Senate honored them and their families today."
In a break from tradition, Governor Butch Otter
was in attendance, seated next to Lieutenant
Governor Brad Little at the Senate President's
desk.
As reported by Betsy Russell of the
Spokesman
Review;
"It was important to our governor that he be
here today," said Senate Majority Leader Bart
Davis, "and so we have strained our Senate rules
and found a way to make this happen, and I feel
comfortable with what we are doing today."
Senate concurrent resolution 124 concluded:
"NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the members
of the First Regular Session of the Sixty-second
Idaho Legislature, the Senate and the House of
Representatives concurring therein, that we
honor, memorialize and commemorate U.S. Army
Staff Sergeant Daniel J. Brown, U.S. Army
Sergeant Chris J. Workman, U.S. Army Private
First Class Cody O. Moosman, U.S. Army
Specialist Ethan J. Martin and U.S. Army Private
First Class Shane G. Wilson for their unselfish
service to our country, fighting for our
freedoms, and we recognize, honor and
memorialize their ultimate sacrifice.
"BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of
the Senate is authorized to send a copy of this
Concurrent Resolution to the immediate families
of the servicemen mentioned above."
Before its conclusion, the resolution paid
homage.
 "WHEREAS,
U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Daniel J. Brown, 27
years of age, from Jerome was killed in action
in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on March 24, 2012.
Daniel had been a standout athlete at Jerome
High School and mentored younger children in
baseball as his senior project. His family said
of him that he loved the company of others and
was a friend to everyone he knew because he
always put others before himself. Daniel felt a
call to join the Army after the events of 9/11.
He was a leader who took his role seriously and
led by example. He was a well-decorated soldier,
and during his nearly nine years in the Army he
was awarded the service's Commendation Medal
four times. Brigadier General Jeffrey Bailey
said of Daniel that he put his life on the line,
not for glory or personal gain but because he
embraced the values of the Army. Daniel is
survived by his wife, Jordan Brown, their twin
now fourteen-month-old daughters Mattie L. and
Marlee L. Brown, his mother Rebecca K. Brown,
father Jerald L. Brown, brother Matthew L. Brown
and grandparents;
"and WHEREAS,
 "WHEREAS,
U.S. Army Sergeant Chris J. Workman, 33 years of
age, was killed in action in Divalak,
Afghanistan, on April 19, 2012. Chris was a
graduate of Minico High School in Rupert, Idaho,
and Idaho State University. He loved to hunt,
fish and just hang out with his older brother
Harry as they were best friends growing up. His
family said of him that he was a highly
energetic, self-reliant man who was very
outgoing and had many friends throughout Idaho.
As a little boy, Chris had dreamed of becoming a
soldier. His military career began in 2008 when
he joined the Army Reserves at Gowen Field in
Boise. This solidified his desire to become an
active duty soldier and the following year he
enlisted in active duty service and was assigned
to Schofield Barracks in Oahu, Hawaii. Chris was
deployed to Afghanistan in January 2012 as a
gunner on a Blackhawk helicopter. He is survived
by his wife, Camille Rudeen Workman, stepson
Cole C. Hayes, brother Harry Workman and parents
John and Anna Workman and extended family;
"and WHEREAS,
 "U.S.
Army Private First Class Cody O. Moosman, 24
years of age, was killed in action in Gayan
Alwara Mandi, Afghanistan, on July 3, 2012. Cody
graduated from Franklin County High School in
Preston, Idaho, and joined the military in May
2010. Since he was in the third grade, Cody told
his family that he wanted to be in the Army, as
he loved the idea of protecting his fellow
citizens. He loved the outdoors and was an avid
hunter and fisherman who had completed his Eagle
Scout badge. His family stated that they enjoyed
watching him stand up for America. Cody is
survived by his mother Mareen Moosman and father
Dennis Moosman, two brothers, two sisters, his
grandparents and nieces and nephews;
"and WHEREAS,
 "U.S.
Army Specialist Ethan J. Martin, 22 years of
age, was killed in action in Koragay,
Afghanistan, on August 7, 2012. Ethan's
childhood years were spent hunting, fishing and
playing in Bonners Ferry. In his sophomore year
he moved to Lewiston, where he graduated from
Lewiston High School. Shortly after graduation,
he made the decision to join the military. His
family describes him as a very loving young man
with a tender heart. He had planned to attend
nursing school after the Army. He was loved by
everyone who knew him and had a special talent
for touching the lives of everybody around him.
He will be remembered for his carefree attitude,
love of life and his goofy smile. Ethan is
survived by his mother Kristie Surprenant, step
father Bob A. Surprenant, father Harvey Martin,
stepmother Pamela Martin, a sister,
step-siblings, grandparents and numerous aunts,
uncles and cousins;
"and WHEREAS,
 "U.S.
Army Private First Class Shane G. Wilson, 20
years of age, died in Khost, Afghanistan, on
October 18, 2012, while supporting Operation
Enduring Freedom. Shane graduated from Kuna High
School in 2011 and looked forward to serving his
country. He had wanted to be a military man from
a very young age and was proud to be a soldier.
Shane was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 187th
Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team,
101st Airborne Division, out of Fort Campbell,
Kentucky. He was a very humble young man, was
fiercely loyal, and knew how to keep a
confidence. He was caring and compassionate and
always placed others before himself. Shane is
survived by his mother Danielle DeMarco, father
Greg Wilson, sisters Shelby Wilson and Sydney
DeMarco, grandparents, great-grandparents and
extended family." |
|
Questions or comments about this
letter?
Click here to e-mail! |
|
|
|
|
