H.R. No. 2309
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The friends and family of U.S. Army Sergeant Garrett
I. McLead suffered an immeasurable loss when he died on August 22,
2007, at the age of 23, while serving in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, A sniper who also did reconnaissance work, Sergeant
McLead died of injuries sustained in a helicopter crash near
Kirkuk; he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry
Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division,
based at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, The son of Patrick and Patricia McLead of Aransas
Pass, Garrett Ian McLead was born in Houston and grew up in
Rockport; he attended Rockport High School, where he played in the
band, competed in varsity tennis and soccer, and worked on the
yearbook staff; an upbeat and outgoing prankster with a warm smile
and infectious laugh, he enjoyed skateboarding, surfing, and
spending time with his lively, close-knit group of friends; he
possessed a deep faith and was a valued member of First Baptist
Church of Rockport and organized its annual Big Kahuna Surf Trip; in
addition, he was a member of Young Life Rockport and of the Third
Coast Squadron/Commemorative Air Force; and
WHEREAS, This valiant soldier dreamed of becoming an actor as
a boy, but following the attacks of September 11, 2001, he felt
called to serve his country and enlisted in the army shortly after
his birthday in May 2002, the year he graduated; his adventurous
nature led him to sign up for sniper school and mountain survival
training; after his initial tour of duty in Afghanistan, he chose to
re-enlist and took great pride in the important work he was doing in
Iraq; and
WHEREAS, Our state and nation are fortunate to have young men
and women whose love of country leads them to service in the
military, and time can never diminish the profound debt that
Americans owe to Sergeant McLead for his sacrifice; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Sergeant Garrett
McLead and extend sincere sympathy to all who mourn his passing;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Sergeant
Garrett I. McLead.
Hunter
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2309 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 21, 2009.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House