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SLS 11RS-1309
Regular Session, 2011 ORIGINAL
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 54
BY SENATOR MARIONNEAUX
CONDOLENCES. Expresses the condolences of the Louisiana Senate upon the death of
United States Army Sergeant Joshua Abram Tomlinson in combat in Operation Enduring
Freedom.
A RESOLUTION1
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana to the2
family of United States Army Sergeant Joshua Abram Tomlinson upon his death in3
combat in Operation Enduring Freedom.4
WHEREAS, Sergeant Tomlinson was a native of Webster Parish and graduate of5
Lakeside High School in Sibley, Louisiana, where he will always be remembered for his6
love of the outdoors and his skills as a hunter and fisherman; and7
WHEREAS, he surprised his family and friends when he enlisted in the United States8
Army about a year after high school and headed off to begin his basic combat and advanced9
individual training; and10
WHEREAS, Sergeant Tomlinson welcomed the challenges of military life,11
successfully completed his military training, and was proud of his role and the part he was12
playing in the service of his country; and13
WHEREAS, he was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, V Corps, in14
Heidelberg, Germany, where he and his wife, Rowena, settled into the routine of overseas15
military duty; and16
WHEREAS, Sergeant Tomlinson was deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom in17 SR NO. 54 ORIGINAL
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September 2009, and was serving as a combat driver and an air defense artilleryman for1
Headquarters Support Group, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command in2
Kabul, Afghanistan; and3
WHEREAS, he was known as a highly skilled, well disciplined combat leader by his4
superiors and his fellow soldiers, and his outstanding conduct exemplified the best that5
America has to offer; and6
WHEREAS, Sergeant Tomlinson was escorting several high-ranking military7
officers who were conducting a site survey in advance of the deployment of a division8
headquarters on May 18, 2010, when enemy forces attacked his convoy with a vehicle-borne9
explosive device driven by a suicide bomber; and10
WHEREAS, Sergeant Tomlinson was twenty-four years old when he and four other11
soldiers were mortally wounded in the savage, terrorist attack on the convoy traveling down12
Darulaman Road in the northeastern town of Kabul; and13
WHEREAS, he will be mourned and deeply missed by his family, friends, and those14
who served with him, but he will be forever remembered for his courage and gallantry in15
combat and his sacrifice on behalf of his country in its war on terror; and16
WHEREAS, Sergeant Tomlinson was recognized by his country for his outstanding17
service and his awards and decorations which include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple18
Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National19
Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service20
Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon with Bar, the NATO Medal, the Combat Action21
Badge, and the Expert Weapons Qualification Badge.22
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana23
does hereby extend its deep and profound condolences to the family of United States Army24
Sergeant Joshua Abram Tomlinson for their immeasurable loss and his ultimate sacrifice in25
the fight to protect his country from its enemies.26
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to27
Sergeant Joshua Abram Tomlinson's family.28 SR NO. 54 ORIGINAL
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Danielle Doiron.
DIGEST
Marionneaux SR No. 54
Expresses condolences upon the death of United States Army Sergeant Joshua Abram
Tomlinson.