82R7189 RYA-D
By: Aliseda H.C.R. No. 67
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Words cannot adequately express the heartache felt
at the loss of U.S. Marine Corps Private First Class Colton Wesley
Rusk of Orange Grove, who died in Afghanistan on December 6, 2010,
at the age of 20; and
WHEREAS, Born on September 23, 1990, in Corpus Christi to
Darrell and Kathy Rusk, Colton Rusk attended Orange Grove High
School, where he excelled in sports, lettering in both football and
baseball; known for his winning personality and brilliant smile, he
was named the senior class favorite and Mr. Orange Grove High School
by his fellow students; and
WHEREAS, In June 2008, the summer before his senior year,
this patriotic young Texan took the first step toward fulfilling
his dream of becoming a marine by enlisting in the corps's delayed
entry program; a year later he received his diploma and embarked for
basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego; and
WHEREAS, Private Rusk was deployed to Afghanistan on his 20th
birthday, September 23, 2010; he bravely served his country as a
member of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine
Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton,
California, and he was recognized with the Purple Heart, the Combat
Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War
on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal; and
WHEREAS, A machine gunner with Weapons Company, Private Rusk
was selected to train as a dog handler with the Improvised Explosive
Device Detection team; he shared a special bond with Eli, the black
Labrador retriever that accompanied him to Afghanistan, and they
worked as a team to save the lives of American troops by detecting
hidden bombs and weapons; when Private Rusk was mortally wounded,
Eli steadfastly remained by his side; Eli has since been retired
from service and adopted by the Rusk family; and
WHEREAS, The marine corps values of honor, courage, and
commitment have had no finer champion than Private First Class
Colton Rusk, and all who knew this brave Texan will forever remember
him with admiration and gratitude; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby pay tribute to the memory of U.S. Marine Corps Private First
Class Colton Wesley Rusk and extend deepest sympathy to the members
of his family: to his parents, Darrell and Kathy Rusk; to his
brothers, Cody and Brady Rusk; to his grandparents, Wayne and Katy
O'Neal and Jan Rusk; to his great-grandmother, Vivian Alphin; to
his aunts, Stacy Hoot, Crystal Blakeney, and Yvonne Rusk; to his
uncles, Wayne O'Neal, Jr., and Brian Rusk; and to his other
relatives and friends; 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 and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
Colton Rusk.