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Regular Session, 2011 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 45
BY SENATORS MARIONNEAUX, ADLEY, ALARIO, AMEDEE, APPEL, BROOME, CHABERT,
CHAISSON, CHEEK, CLAITOR, CROWE, DONAHUE, DORSEY, ERDEY, GAUTREAUX,
GUILLORY, HEITMEIER, JACKSON, KOSTELKA, LAFLEUR, LONG, MARTINY, MCPHERSON,
MICHOT, MILLS, MORRELL, MORRISH, MOUNT, MURRAY, NEVERS, PERRY, PETERSON,
QUINN, RISER, SHAW, SMITH, THOMPSON, WALSWORTH AND WILLARD-LEWIS
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana to the loved
ones and family of United States Marine Corporal Joe Wrightsman upon his death
while in the service of his country.
WHEREAS, Joe L. Wrightsman spent his early childhood in Kitsap County,
Washington, until the age of thirteen, when he moved with his mother and siblings to
Jonesboro, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, he attended Jonesboro High School where he ran track, cross country
and played football for the Tigers, and was a model leader among his peers; and
WHEREAS, as far back as his family can remember, Joe had an undying love for the
military and wanted to serve his country, so upon graduating from high school, he enlisted
in May 2005 and attended infantry school in August, and joined the 3
rd
Battalion, 3
rd
Marine
Regiment, based out of Marine Corp Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay in October 2005; and
WHEREAS, as a rifleman and team leader of Kilo Company, he served two
deployments in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, during his distinguished service he was awarded many honors,
including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Good
Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service
Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal and the NATO-International
Security Assistance Force Afghanistan Medal; and
WHEREAS, in spite of the risks, he loved his job and felt confident with his duties,
so when he was asked to volunteer to deploy to Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency
operations partnered with Afghan National Security Forces, he was among the first to sign
up; and SR NO. 45 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, on July 18, 2010, Corporal Wrightsman and his unit were patrolling
with Afghan trainees; upon attempting to cross the fast-flowing Helmand River, one of the
trainees was swept away; and
WHEREAS, with the kind of bravery that defined Corporal Wrightsman, without
knowing how to swim, he plunged into the treacherous water in full protective gear in an
effort to save his Afghani counterpart, but was quickly swept away by the powerful river;
and
WHEREAS, although every type of asset, aircraft, equipment, and personnel were
employed to rescue the two men, the Taliban forces were beginning to move in from the
north in an effort to capture Corporal Wrightsman's body before the Marines, but were
thwarted when the bodies of the two men were rescued two days later; and
WHEREAS, Corporal Wrightsman leaves behind many loved ones, including a son,
Mcae; his fiancee Kiara; his parents, and nine brothers and eight sisters; and
WHEREAS, all who knew and loved Joe Wrightsman were shocked at his untimely death,
but were also filled with pride to know that America still breeds men with a bias for action
who don't dwell on what they can't do.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby acknowledge United States Marine Corporal Joe L. Wrightsman for his brave
service to his country, and does extend its deepest and most profound condolences to his
family for their terrible loss.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Corporal Joe L. Wrightsman.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE