HLS 15RS-880 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 63
BY REPRESENTATIVES BROADWATER, HARRIS, AND HILL
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences upon the death of Chief Warrant Officer 4
George David Strother
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To express the condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death of Chief Warrant
3 Officer 4 George David Strother, of Alexandria, Louisiana, on March 10, 2015.
4 WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the Legislature of
5Louisiana has learned of the death of Chief Warrant Officer 4 George David Strother, who
6was killed in dutiful service to his country when his UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed
7during a nighttime exercise in Florida; and
8 WHEREAS, born on October 2, 1970, to the late George Douglas "Coach" and Sara
9Nell Vercher Strother, George David Strother grew up with a love of the outdoors; he had
10a passion for sports, riding four-wheelers, and found joy in songwriting and playing music
11with his friends and family; and
12 WHEREAS, heeding the call of his country, George David Strother began a career
13with the Louisiana Army National Guard in 1988 and served until 2007 and from 2009 until
14his death; and
15 WHEREAS, George David Strother was first stationed in Pineville as a utility
16helicopter repairer and quickly moved up the enlisted ranks; he was promoted to sergeant
17in 1992; and
18 WHEREAS, while active in the Louisiana Army National Guard, he served as a team
19leader for the Youth Challenge Program of Louisiana from 1993 until 1994; and
20 WHEREAS, on December 1, 1994, he was appointed to the rank of Warrant Officer
211, and upon completion of the Warrant Officer Basic course, he then concentrated his career
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HCR NO. 63
1path towards helicopter aviation; he advanced to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2 in
21997, Chief Warrant Officer 3 in 2007, and Chief Warrant Officer 4 on December 7, 2013;
3and
4 WHEREAS, throughout his prominent military career, Chief Warrant Officer 4
5Strother logged over two thousand four hundred flight hours, which included over seven
6hundred combat hours; he was deployed in Iraq for a year and in support of Operation Joint
7Guardian (KFOR) in Kosovo; and
8 WHEREAS, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Strother served in the Louisiana Army National
9Guard with great courage and valor as evidenced by his receipt of numerous awards and
10decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Army
11Commendation Medal, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, the National
12Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with
13Campaign Star, the Louisiana General Excellence Ribbon, and the Combat Badge and
14Master Aviator Badge; and
15 WHEREAS, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Strother left an indelible mark on his family,
16friends, community, and the state of Louisiana; and
17 WHEREAS, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Strother's passion for his country and
18community will forever remain in the hearts and minds of his loving wife of twenty years,
19Melissa Rachal Strother; his son, George David "DJ" Strother, II; his daughter, Chelsie
20Rachal; his mother; his brother, Bob Strother; his sister, Elizabeth Denell Wolf; and many
21other family members, nieces, and nephews; and
22 WHEREAS, the sacrifices made by the great men and women who protect and
23defend the United States and its citizens must always be acknowledged by those who are left
24behind to honor their memory; and
25 WHEREAS, it is with great pride that the Legislature of Louisiana records for
26posterity the extraordinary dedication and commitment to his country that Chief Warrant
27Officer 4 Strother displayed throughout his life and in the performance of his military
28service.
29 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
30express its condolences and most heartfelt sorrow to the family of Chief Warrant Officer 4
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HCR NO. 63
1George David Strother and does hereby acknowledge and record for posterity the unique and
2special contributions of Chief Warrant Officer 4 Strother to the city of Alexandria, to the
3state of Louisiana, and to the United States of America.
4 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
5to the family of Chief Warrant Officer 4 George David Strother.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 63 Original 2015 Regular Session Broadwater
Expresses the condolences of the legislature upon the death of Chief Warrant Officer 4
George David Strother.
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