2019 Regular Session ENROLLED SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 164 BY SENATORS BOUDREAUX, ALARIO, ALLAIN, APPEL, BARROW, BISHOP, CARTER, CHABERT, CLAITOR, COLOMB, CORTEZ, DONAHUE, ERDEY, FANNIN, GATTI, HENSGENS, HEWITT, JOHNS, LAFLEUR, LAMBERT, LONG, LUNEAU, MARTINY, MILKOVICH, MILLS, MIZELL, MORRELL, MORRISH, PEACOCK, PETERSON, PRICE, RISER, GARY SMITH, JOHN SMITH, TARVER, THOMPSON, WALSWORTH, WARD AND WHITE A RESOLUTION To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana to the family of United States Army Specialist Duke Gilmore upon his death while serving his country as a member of its armed forces. WHEREAS, Duke Gilmore was born on a Veteran's Day, November 11, 1983, in Monroe, Louisiana, and was a native of Bastrop, Louisiana; and WHEREAS, he was the son of Mike and Bonnie Gilmore; and WHEREAS, he was a devoted child of God, a loving son, and an All American patriot; and WHEREAS, Spc. Gilmore joined the National Guard and became a citizen warrior fulfilling a lifelong dream as a member of the Mississippi National Guard, 1-98 CAV; and WHEREAS, as a cavalier scout he was trained to engage the enemy with anti-armor weapons and scout vehicles in the field, track and report enemy movement and activities, and direct the employment of various weapon systems onto the enemy; and WHEREAS, these specialized skills enabled Spc. Gilmore to assist with observation and listening posts, perform and help with navigation, and help secure and transport ammunition; and WHEREAS, as a cavalier scout, Spc. Gilmore lead, served, and assisted as a member of a scout crew in reconnaissance, security, and other combat operations; and WHEREAS, the United States Army has seven core values which are Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage; and WHEREAS, during his service, Spc. Gilmore exemplified the seven Army core values and was the perfect example of Army Pride; and Page 1 of 2 SR NO. 164 ENROLLED WHEREAS, Spc. Gilmore exhibited leadership attributes and was an expert military tactician; and WHEREAS, he was normally soft-spoken, his tone was apt to change in intensity when he spoke of commitment to his family and country; and WHEREAS, he and his dad would often talk about the check that Duke had signed upon enlistment as his dad would advise that, "A veteran – whether active duty, retired, or National Guard or Reserve – is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America for an amount of up to, and including, their life"; and WHEREAS, Spc. Gilmore, being always ready to serve his country, had a deployment date set for June 1, 2019; and WHEREAS, Spc. Gilmore lost his life during an Army training exercise on Saturday, May 12, 2018, at Fort Bliss, Texas; and WHEREAS, the Bastrop and Morehouse Chamber and members of the Patriot Guard lined the streets with American Flags as a way of honoring the life of Spc. Gilmore; and WHEREAS, Spc. Gilmore was interred at Memorial Park Cemetery of Bastrop with full military honors on behalf of a grateful nation; and WHEREAS, Spc. Gilmore is survived by his parents, Mike and Bonnie Gilmore, and his sister, Storm Marie Vance. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby extend its deepest and most profound condolences to the family of United States Army Specialist Duke Gilmore for their immeasurable loss and wish to recognize him for his service and for the great sacrifices he made on behalf of his country. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the family of U.S. Army Specialist Duke Gilmore. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE Page 2 of 2