| 1 | 1 | | 88S10205 BPG-D |
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| 2 | 2 | | By: LaMantia S.R. No. 37 |
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| 3 | 3 | | |
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| 4 | 4 | | |
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| 5 | 5 | | R E S O L U T I O N |
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| 6 | 6 | | WHEREAS, Donald Thompson of Weslaco served his country with |
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| 7 | 7 | | great honor and distinction throughout his 24 years in the United |
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| 8 | 8 | | States Air Force; and |
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| 9 | 9 | | WHEREAS, After joining the military in 1963, Don Thompson |
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| 10 | 10 | | completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and went on to |
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| 11 | 11 | | student course training at Sheppard AFB with the 3772nd School |
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| 12 | 12 | | Squadron; he served in the Vietnam War, and one of his most |
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| 13 | 13 | | harrowing experiences occurred on a reconnaissance flight over Ho |
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| 14 | 14 | | Chi Minh Trail; the autopilot was engaged at 30,000 feet while the |
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| 15 | 15 | | pilot and copilot slept and the crew was occupied listening |
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| 16 | 16 | | intently for enemy trucks and tanks; no one immediately noticed |
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| 17 | 17 | | when the wings and fuselage began to ice up, and the aircraft |
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| 18 | 18 | | suddenly plunged 6,500 feet, pinning Mr. Thompson in place; |
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| 19 | 19 | | fortunately, the pilot was able to regain control at 13,500 feet and |
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| 20 | 20 | | none of the crew was injured; they continued with their mission, but |
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| 21 | 21 | | both wings of the plane later had to be replaced; and |
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| 22 | 22 | | WHEREAS, Mr. Thompson's international deployments also |
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| 23 | 23 | | included time in Taiwan and at Lajes Field in the Azores; stateside, |
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| 24 | 24 | | he was stationed at Offutt AFB in Nebraska, Kincheloe AFB in |
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| 25 | 25 | | Michigan, Lockbourne AFB in Ohio, and Little Rock AFB in Arkansas; |
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| 26 | 26 | | among numerous commendations, he received the Air Medal with one |
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| 27 | 27 | | bronze oak leaf cluster, the Military Education Graduate Ribbon |
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| 28 | 28 | | with two bronze oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Longevity Service |
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| 29 | 29 | | Award Ribbon with one silver oak leaf cluster, and the National |
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| 30 | 30 | | Defense Service Medal; he attained the rank of master sergeant; and |
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| 31 | 31 | | WHEREAS, Following his retirement in 1987, Mr. Thompson |
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| 32 | 32 | | worked as a loadmaster instructor; on June 6, 2023, he participated |
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| 33 | 33 | | in an Honor Flight for veterans in St. Louis, Missouri; he is |
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| 34 | 34 | | supported in all his endeavors by the love and encouragement of his |
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| 35 | 35 | | wife, Mary, and they are the proud parents of three children; and |
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| 36 | 36 | | WHEREAS, Don Thompson set an inspiring example through nearly |
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| 37 | 37 | | a quarter century of dedicated service as a member of the nation's |
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| 38 | 38 | | armed forces, and his fellow citizens owe him a lasting debt of |
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| 39 | 39 | | gratitude; now, therefore, be it |
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| 40 | 40 | | RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature, 1st |
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| 41 | 41 | | Called Session, hereby honor Donald Thompson for his long career in |
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| 42 | 42 | | the United States Air Force and extend to him sincere best wishes |
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| 43 | 43 | | for the future; and, be it further |
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| 44 | 44 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 45 | 45 | | prepared for Mr. Thompson as an expression of high regard by the |
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| 46 | 46 | | Texas Senate. |
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