SLS 13RS-3033 DRAFT 6/1/13 9:33 AM Copy of SR161 Original (rev 0).wpd
Page 1 of 3
Regular Session, 2013
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 161
BY SENATOR NEVERS
CONDOLENCES. Condolences to the family of Louisiana Army National Guard Specialist
Christopher Drake of Tickfaw, Louisiana, upon his death in Operation Enduring Freedom.
A RESOLUTION1
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana to the2
family of Louisiana Army National Guard Specialist Christopher Drake upon his3
death in ground combat in Operation Enduring Freedom.4
WHEREAS, Christopher Drake was a resident of Tickfaw, Louisiana, and grew up5
in Independence where he graduated in 2011 from Independence High School, where he was6
an all-district defensive back on the school football team and a starting cornerback his senior7
year; and8
WHEREAS, even though he was highly involved in athletics during high school,9
Christopher worked at Middendorf's Restaurant near Pass Manchac in order to have some10
income of his own; and11
WHEREAS, Christopher had dreamed of attending college after high school but he12
realized that he would have financial troubles with his tuition and so he decided to enlist in13
the Louisiana Army National Guard in order to help pay his way and get his degree in14
engineering; and15
WHEREAS, Christopher joined the military in September, 2011, successfully16
completed his basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and satisfied all the17
requirements for the military occupation specialty of truck driver; and18 SR NO. 161
SLS 13RS-3033 DRAFT 6/1/13 9:33 AM Copy of SR161 Original (rev 0).wpd
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, Specialist Christopher Drake was soon assigned to the 1084
th
1
Transportation Company, 165
th
Combat Support Sustainment Battalion, 139
th
Regional2
Support Group based in Reserve, Louisiana; and3
WHEREAS, Specialist Drake and his unit received their orders to deploy to4
Afghanistan in early 2013, and he was especially proud when he was promoted to the rank5
of Specialist in April; and6
WHEREAS, Specialist Drake was given the dangerous job of gunner on a mine7
resistant, ambush protected vehicle and given the task of maintaining control and security8
on the dusty roads north of the war-torn country's capital, Kabul; and9
WHEREAS, Specialist Drake was twenty years old when he and members of his unit10
were given the mission of patrolling and securing his area of operations near the small town11
of Bagram on Sunday, May 19, 2013; and12
WHEREAS, Specialist Drake's mounted patrol came under fierce attack by heavily-13
armed enemy fighters and his vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade that mortally14
wounded the young soldier; and15
WHEREAS, Specialist Drake's decorations and awards include the Purple Heart, the16
National Defense Service Medal, the Global War On Terror Service Medal, the Afghanistan17
Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Army Service Ribbon; and18
WHEREAS, Specialist Drake's mother, Rose, had always been the center of his19
world and now she must face the reality of a life without her precious son and the end of so20
many dreams they shared.21
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana22
does hereby extend its deepest and most profound condolences to the family of Specialist23
Christopher Drake for their immeasurable loss and his ultimate sacrifice during his brave24
service in his country's war on terror.25
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the26
family of Louisiana Army National Guard Specialist Christopher Drake.27 SR NO. 161
SLS 13RS-3033 DRAFT 6/1/13 9:33 AM Copy of SR161 Original (rev 0).wpd
Page 3 of 3
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Heyward Jeffers.
DIGEST
Nevers SR No. 161
Expresses condolences upon the death of LANG Specialist Christopher Drake in ground
combat during Operation Enduring Freedom.