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Regular Session, 2014 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 90
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 Louisiana Army National Guard Specialist Christopher R. Drake upon his
death in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
WHEREAS, Specialist Christopher R. Drake was a native of Tickfaw, Louisiana, and
a 2011 graduate of Independence High School, where he displayed great talent and
proficiency on the school's football team and was recognized as an all-district cornerback;
and
WHEREAS, Specialist Drake dreamed of going to college to get a degree in
mechanical engineering; and
WHEREAS, it became apparent to Specialist Drake that his best option for financing
his educational goals would be to join the Louisiana Army National Guard, where
guardsmen are provided college benefits; and
WHEREAS, he enlisted in the Guard in September 2011, to become a truck driver,
completing his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and being assigned to the
1084
th
Transportation Company, 165
th
Combat Support Sustainment Battalion, 139
th
Regional Support Group of the Louisiana Army National Guard based in Reserve, Louisiana,
a unit that specializes in transportation on convoy escorts; and
WHEREAS, in April 2012, Specialist Drake arrived in Afghanistan in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom; and
WHEREAS, Specialist Drake was given the dangerous task of gunner on a Mine
Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle and he performed bravely during the deadly patrols his
unit conducted; and SR NO. 90 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, Specialist Drake soon won the hard-earned confidence of his fellow
soldiers, and those who rode with him would jokingly declare that he saved their lives on a
daily basis; and
WHEREAS, Specialist Drake was twenty years old when he and his crew were given
a mission for Sunday, May 26, 2013, to conduct mounted patrols in support of American
ground forces searching for the enemy; and
WHEREAS, on that day, Specialist Drake and his patrol found and engaged heavily
armed enemy soldiers in Bagram, Afghanistan, and in the ensuing firefight, he and his
vehicle were struck by a rocket-propelled grenade and Specialist Drake was mortally
wounded; and
WHEREAS, Specialist Drake's sacrifice has left those who loved him, his brothers
in arms, his friends and family and especially his mother Rose, his fiancee Britny and their
young son with a sense of loss that cannot be measured, but they are also proud to have
simply known such a truly great American.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby extend its deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends who
dearly loved Specialist Christopher R. Drake and now mourn his loss and celebrate his
contributions and sacrifices.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Specialist Drake's mother, Rose, and his fiancee, Britny McAdams.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE