84R20435 BK-D
By: Miller of Comal H.R. No. 1963
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, March 27, 2015, was indeed a momentous day in the
life of eight-year-old Rowan Windham, for on that day he became an
honorary member of the Texas Army National Guard at a special
enlistment ceremony at Camp Mabry; and
WHEREAS, Rowan has been diagnosed with a rare disorder known
as Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome, which affects multiple organ
systems; he has spent more than 900 days in the hospital, during
which time he has endured dozens of blood transfusions and some 70
trips to the operating room; all the while, he has met the
challenges of his illness with unfailing grace and courage, and he
has inspired others with his ability to find joy in the simple
things of life; and
WHEREAS, A resident of New Braunfels, Rowan is supported by
his loving parents, Carrie Windham and Brian Windham, who served in
the United States Navy, and by his older brother, Ian; motivated by
a sense of patriotism and a selfless desire to help others, Rowan
has dreamed of one day following in his father's footsteps as a
member of the military, and his dream was fulfilled during a
surprise visit to Camp Mabry, headquarters of the Texas Army
National Guard; and
WHEREAS, The experience of a lifetime for Rowan began when he
and his family arrived at the base and were greeted by service
members at all levels of command; Rowan and his brother then rode in
a World War II-era Jeep to a building where Rowan was given his own
army-issued uniform and dog tags; standing before a crowd of 300
national guard members, state and local officials, and members of
the media, Rowan was inducted into the national guard as an honorary
lifetime soldier; and
WHEREAS, During the emotional ceremony, the host for the
occasion, Staff Sergeant Mireya Cruz, expressed how Rowan
exemplified the army's core values, saying, "Despite mental and
physical adversities that many adults could not manage, Rowan has
consistently demonstrated trust in his faith, [a] humble spirit,
and compassion for others, all of which he has placed before his own
personal needs"; and
WHEREAS, Brigadier General Sean Ryan, deputy commander of the
Texas Army National Guard, then administered the honorary
enlistment oath to Rowan and presented the guard's newest solider
with the division's traditional Stetson hat and spurs; Ian was also
singled out for recognition and was awarded a medal for his care and
protection of his younger brother; and
WHEREAS, This well-deserved tribute was initiated by
Sergeant David Hixson, a combat medic in the national guard who had
treated Rowan while working as a civilian nurse's aide; in
addition, numerous other individuals at Camp Mabry helped to make
possible the day's events, which included a special tour of the base
for Rowan and Ian; and
WHEREAS, At only eight years old, Rowan Windham has shown a
deep commitment to his country and a maturity well beyond his years,
and it is a great privilege to honor this remarkable young Texan in
concert with the valiant service members who have welcomed him into
their ranks; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Private First Class Rowan Windham
on his enlistment as an honorary member of the Texas Army National
Guard and extend to Rowan and his family sincere best wishes for the
future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Windham family as an expression of high regard by
the Texas House of Representatives.