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Regular Session, 2012 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 71
BY SENATORS ADLEY, ALARIO, ALLAIN, AMEDEE, APPEL, BROOME, BROWN,
BUFFINGTON, CHABERT, CLAI TOR, CORTEZ, CROWE,
DONAHUE, DORSEY-COLOMB, ERDEY, GALLOT, GUILLORY,
HEITMEIER, JOHNS, KOSTELKA, LAFLEUR, LONG, MARTINY,
MILLS, MORRELL, MORRISH , MURRAY, NEVERS, PEACOCK,
PERRY, PETERSON, RISER, GARY SMITH, JOHN SMITH,
TARVER, THOMPSON, WALSWORTH, WARD AND WHI TE
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana to the
family of United States Army Master Sergeant Jared Neville Van Aalst upon his
tragic and untimely death in Operation Enduring Freedom, and for his brave and
heroic service to his country in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Van Aalst was a native of Laconia, New Hampshire,
and a graduate of Plymouth High School; and
WHEREAS, two years after graduation Master Sergeant Van Aalst joined the United
States Army in 1995; and
WHEREAS, Van Aalst completed various training, including Ranger and Sniper
schools and then served as team leader, squad leader, instructor and shooter in the United
States Army Marksmanship Unit at Fort Benning, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, in 2003, Van Aalst served as a sniper platoon sergeant assigned to the
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment; and
WHEREAS, then Platoon Sergeant Van Aalst was deployed on his first combat
rotation to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, then to Operation Iraqi Freedom
in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, Van Aalst, as platoon sergeant, was deployed twice more to Iraq in
2005, and again to Afghanistan in 2006, and served on the front lines in extremely high-risk
jobs; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, he was selected for the United States Army Special Operations
Command in Fort Bragg; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, Van Aalst married Katie Himel, of Houma, Louisiana, after
they met at a mutual friend's wedding and fell in love; and SR NO. 71 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Van Aalst, a courageous and decorated soldier,
received many military awards and honors, which included two Meritorious Service Metals,
two Joint Service Commendation Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, seven Army
Achievement Medals, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, and
many awards and badges for combat infantryman, master parachutist, pistol shooting,
service-rifle individual championship, rifleman and excellence in competition; and
WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Van Aalst was killed in battle on Wednesday, August
4, 2010, at the age of thirty-four, in Kunduz province, Afghanistan, during his sixth combat
deployment; and
WHEREAS, being one of the bravest and dedicated soldiers in combat, Master
Sergeant Van Aalst was posthumously recognized with a second Bronze Star Medal, a third
Purple Heart Medal, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; and
WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Van Aalst is dearly missed by all who knew and loved
him, especially his wife, Katie, and his children, Kaylie Ann, 6, Ava Elizabeth, 3, and Hugh
Jared, 1; and
WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Van Aalst will forever be remembered as a true
American hero for his bravery and dedication to his country.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby extend its deepest and most profound sorrow and heartfelt condolences to the
family and friends of United States Army Master Sergeant Jared Neville Van Aalst for their
great loss and for his faithful service to his country and nation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Master Sergeant Jared Neville Van Aalst.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE