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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 88
BY REPRESENTATIVE LAFONTA
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To recognize June 28th annually as Naval Special Warfare Day in the state of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to recognize June 28, 2010, as Naval Special Warfare
Day and to continue to recognize this day annually in memory of June 28, 2005, the day of
the largest loss of life in a single day in United States Navy SEAL history; and
WHEREAS, Naval Special Warfare forces have an extremely rich and diverse
history and are an intricate and vital part of the United States naval strategic planning; and
WHEREAS, Naval Special Warfare forces and other special operations forces are
trained to be particularly responsive to a broad range of situations; and
WHEREAS, the small size, special equipment, and area-oriented training of the
Naval Special Warfare forces make them especially valuable in situations and areas where
use of conventional military forces might be less feasible; and
WHEREAS, by virtue of their unique character, exclusive missions, and small
personnel numbers, the members of the Naval Special Warfare forces represent only a
fraction of the nation's population, and these men and their families are part of a special
community and share a truly inspiring bond; and
WHEREAS, on June 28, 2005, a four-man United States Navy SEAL team was
inserted into the high mountains of Kunar Province, Northern Afghanistan, near the
Pakistani border on a mission to capture or kill a notorious al Qaeda leader who was known
to be in a Taliban stronghold surrounded by a small and heavily armed force; and
WHEREAS, after the Navy SEAL team's position was compromised, they were
forced to face more than one hundred Taliban fighters with rifles, machine guns, and rocket-
propelled grenades; and ENROLLEDHCR NO. 88
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WHEREAS, outnumbered but determined to resist capture by the Taliban, the Navy
SEAL team, on several occasions, hurled themselves off of one thousand-foot cliffs into the
woods below them; and
WHEREAS, as the Navy SEAL team was experiencing transmission difficulties with
their secure radios due to the steep mountainous terrain, Lieutenant Michael Murphy
selflessly ran out into the open to make a radio call to the base to request backup; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Murphy was shot numerous times as he calmly made the call
and then returned to the fight, and for his heroic actions, he was awarded the Medal of
Honor; and
WHEREAS, back at the Navy SEAL base, eight SEALs immediately boarded an
MH-47 helicopter to come to the aid of those SEALs now pinned down by enemy fire, but
as they reached their target and were about to deploy, an enemy rocket-propelled grenade
struck and completely destroyed the helicopter; and
WHEREAS, the helicopter crash served as a diversion, allowing one of the Navy
SEALs on the ground to crawl and fight his way into a friendly Afghan village, where he
was ultimately reunited with United States forces; and
WHEREAS, among those that gave the ultimate sacrifice to assist their fellow Navy
SEALs was Chief Petty Officer Jacques Fontan, a native of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, born and raised in New Orleans, Chief Petty Officer Fontan graduated
from Brother Martin High School, attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and
enlisted in the United States Navy in 1989; and
WHEREAS, after nine years of active duty with the United States Navy, Chief Petty
Officer Fontan applied for and was accepted to Navy SEAL training, where he graduated
with BUD/S Class 219, and upon his untimely death, he was a member of Navy SEAL Team
10, which is based in Little Creek, Virginia; and
WHEREAS, June 28, 2010, marks the fifth anniversary of this tragic day when so
many brave Navy SEALs gave their lives in the name of freedom; and
WHEREAS, the Naval Special Warfare forces merit a special measure of
commendation in honor of their fallen brothers who displayed overwhelming courage and
valor during the tragic events of June 28, 2005. ENROLLEDHCR NO. 88
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
recognize June 28th annually as Naval Special Warfare Day in the state of Louisiana, does
hereby recognize the members of the Naval Special Warfare forces and their families for
their manifold contributions to the cause of freedom and peace throughout the world, and
does hereby extend enduring gratitude for the tremendous sacrifice made by those brave
Navy SEALs on June 28, 2005.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to Robert Rieve, president and chief executive officer of the Naval Special Warfare
Foundation, and to the family of Chief Petty Officer Jacques Fontan.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE