Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

Tennessee Senate Bill SJR0363 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1
2	2	<BillNo> <Sponsor>
3	3
4	4	SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 363
5	5	By Briggs
6	6
7	7
8	8	SJR0363
9	9	006663
10	10	- 1 -
11	11
12	12	A RESOLUTION to honor Specialist Ethan M. Ward and Specialist
13	13	Brandon T. Moore, 2025 National Guardsmen of
14	14	the Year.
15	15
16	16	WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should salute those
17	17	extraordinary Tennesseans who, through their remarkable and exceptional efforts, have gone
18	18	above and beyond the call of duty by dedicating their lives to protecting the citizens of this State
19	19	and nation; and
20	20	WHEREAS, Specialist Ethan M. Ward and Specialist Brandon T. Moore of the
21	21	Tennessee National Guard's 776
22	22	th
23	23	Maintenance Company in Elizabethton were recently
24	24	selected to receive the 2025 National Guardsmen of the Year Award for their actions during the
25	25	disaster response to Hurricane Helene in Erwin on September 27, 2024; and
26	26	WHEREAS, on that fateful day at approximately 1:00 p.m., Specialists Ward and Moore
27	27	answered the call for soldiers needed for immediate response to perform high-water rescue at
28	28	the Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin; and
29	29	WHEREAS, due to Hurricane Helene's impact, the water around the hospital was rising
30	30	rapidly, and patients were in need of rescue; while Specialists Ward and Moore were in transit
31	31	to Unicoi County Hospital, the torrential rainfall continued, generating flash flooding and causing
32	32	large amounts of debris to be swept up in the rising water; and
33	33	WHEREAS, the Light Medium Tactical Vehicle they were riding in was struck by debris,
34	34	causing it to tip over on the passenger side and fill the cab with water; Specialists Ward and
35	35	Moore were able to exit the vehicle and swim to a floating debris pile nearby; and
36	36	WHEREAS, while waiting for rescue by first responders, Specialists Ward and Moore
37	37	witnessed six people being swept down the Nolichucky River, holding on to debris such as
38	38
39	39
40	40	- 2 - 006663
41	41
42	42	pipes and other objects from the industrial park upstream; without regard for their personal
43	43	safety, they bravely rescued all six civilians from the river and pulled them to safety on the
44	44	floating debris pile they were occupying and assured the civilians were safe; and
45	45	WHEREAS, Specialists Ward and Moore were then able to gain the attention of first
46	46	responders on land and began communicating, by using hand and arm signals, to relay the
47	47	civilians' status and coordinate a helicopter rescue, demonstrating exceptional crisis
48	48	management skills; and
49	49	WHEREAS, when the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter arrived, Specialists Ward and Moore
50	50	assisted the flight crew by ensuring that all civilians were hoisted to safety prior to their
51	51	extraction; and
52	52	WHEREAS, the unwavering courage and decisive actions of these two men in the face
53	53	of personal risk exemplify the highest standards of conduct expected of a National Guard
54	54	soldier; and
55	55	WHEREAS, their heroic dedication to their profession and to the safety of fellow soldiers
56	56	and citizens reflects great credit upon themselves and upholds the highest traditions of the
57	57	National Guard; and
58	58	WHEREAS, Specialists Ethan Ward and Brandon Moore embody the virtues of valor
59	59	and service above self, and it is our privilege to recognize them for their heroic actions that
60	60	saved the lives of Tennesseans in peril; now, therefore,
61	61	BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH
62	62	GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNES SEE, THE HOUSE OF
63	63	REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, that we honor Specialist Ethan M. Ward and Specialist
64	64	Brandon T. Moore for their bravery during the disaster response to Hurricane Helene,
65	65	congratulate them upon being named the 2025 National Guardsmen of the Year, and extend to
66	66	them our best wishes for every future happiness and success.
67	67
68	68
69	69	- 3 - 006663
70	70
71	71	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared
72	72	for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy and upon proper request made to
73	73	the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear
74	74	without House or Senate designation.