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Regular Session, 2012
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 50
BY SENATOR ADLEY
CONDOLENCES. Extends condolences on the death of U.S. Army Sergeant Christopher
Soderlund in Afghanistan.
A RESOLUTION1
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the2
death of United States Army Sergeant Christopher P. Soderlund during ground3
combat in Afghanistan.4
WHEREAS, Sergeant Soderlund was a native of Pineville, Louisiana, and enlisted5
in the Army in March, 2006, training to become an infantryman before being stationed at6
Fort Polk, Louisiana; and7
WHEREAS, Sergeant Soderlund was assigned to Fort Polk's 2
nd
Battalion, 30
th
8
Infantry Regiment, 4
th
Brigade Combat Team of the 10
th
Mountain Division, and in9
November, 2007, he was deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom until his return home in10
January, 2009; and11
WHEREAS, Sergeant Soderlund was blessed to have had the time to start a family12
with his wife, Jessica, his daughter, Adrianne, and his son, Gabriel, who were truly the most13
important parts in his life; and14
WHEREAS, Sergeant Soderlund's unit would again be deployed to a combat zone,15
this time in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where he was assigned to Logar16
Province, Afghanistan; and17
WHEREAS, Sergeant Soderlund was twenty-three years old when he lead his troops18 SR NO. 50
SLS 12RS-940 ORIGINAL
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on a mounted patrol, July 9, 2011, to check on reports of enemy soldiers operating in the1
area; and2
WHEREAS, Sergeant Soderlund and his patrol came under fire from heavily armed3
insurgents and as the two opposing forces engaged each other in the following firefight, a4
rocket propelled grenade struck his vehicle and mortally wounded him; and5
WHEREAS, Sergeant Soderlund's loss was a blow to his troops, but they bravely6
continued the fight against the enemy until the insurgents were forced to withdraw from their7
positions in retreat; and8
WHEREAS, both family and friends of Sergeant Soderlund were stricken by his loss,9
but they felt great pride in knowing the depth of the sacrifice he had suffered and that it was10
for his country, which he so loved dearly; and11
WHEREAS, Sergeant Soderlund was an outstanding soldier and his awards and12
decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation13
Medal, the Valorous Unit Award, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense14
Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War15
on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development16
Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal and the17
prestigious Combat Infantryman Badge. 18
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana19
does hereby extend its deepest and most profound condolences to the wife, children, parents20
and friends of United States Army Sergeant Christopher Soderlund for their immeasurable21
loss and for his ultimate sacrifice in the defense of his country's freedom.22
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to23
Sergeant Soderlund's wife, children and parents.24
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Heyward Jeffers.
DIGEST
Adley SR No. 50
Expresses condolences upon the death of U.S. Army Sergeant Christopher Soderlund in
Afghanistan.