MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2010 2nd Extraordinary Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Mettetal, Albritton, Baria, Blount, Brown, Browning, Bryan, Burton, Butler, Butler (36th), Carmichael, Chassaniol, Clarke, Davis, Dawkins, Dearing, Dickerson, Fillingane, Flowers, Frazier, Gollott, Gordon, Harden, Hewes, Hopson, Horhn, Hudson, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Lee (35th), Lee (47th), McDaniel, Michel, Moffatt, Montgomery, Nunnelee, Powell, Simmons, Stone, Tollison, Turner, Walls, Ward, Watson, Wilemon, Yancey

Senate Concurrent Resolution 519

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE MILITARY SERVICE OF UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS VETERAN SERGEANT WILLIAM CASEY BROWN OF SOUTHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXTENDING SYMPATHY ON HIS PASSING.

     WHEREAS, Sergeant William Casey Brown, United States Marine Corps, 34, passed away on Saturday, July 24, 2010, in Conway, Arkansas; and

     WHEREAS, Sergeant Brown had served a decade as a Marine, including two tours in Iraq.  After returning to civilian life, he worked as a firefighter in Tunica County, Mississippi.  While in Iraq, he shared his experiences with folks back home, writing a regular column in The Southern Reporter in 2004, 2005 and 2006.  Brown, who grew up in Sardis and Como, Mississippi, shared combat experiences from the soldier's view, information you may not pick up through traditional news sources.  He kept readers updated on the little things, the mail service, the weather, and the morale of his fellow soldiers.  A successful mission for Sergeant Brown and his squad meant no one had been injured in the day's work.  He shared dramatic details as his squad searched for the bad guys in "Thug Alley," conducted raids north of the Euphrates River, patrolled in Fallejah and protected the "Memphis" bridges.  Each week he signed off, listing his 12-man squad, who were his family while in Iraq; and

     WHEREAS, his letters sent back home were upbeat:  he praised the tanks that kept his Marines safe; the helicopters that were the eyes in the sky, and the vehicle armor, which helped protect his squad from the ever-present mines.  He also shared his deep love of his family back home.  In January 2005 while in his second tour, he offered support and advice to the soldiers and their loved ones who were in Iraq or preparing to go to Iraq.  This was a time when local guard units were preparing to deploy and the country's primary focus was on the war in Iraq.  In addition to offering advice, he also shared compassion for the troops and their families.  He reminded his readers that the Mississippi National Guard was leaving home to do what they volunteered to do, to protect the nation.  His articles inspired many back home to send letters not only to Brown, but also his men; and

     WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife, Debra Bishop Brown of Southaven, Mississippi; his parents, Bill and Leslie Brown of Como, Mississippi; and one sister, Shannon Scrimager of Collierville, Tennessee; and

     WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of this veteran whose inspirational military service is a matter of record:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the military service of United States Marine Corps Veteran Sergeant William Casey Brown of Southaven, Mississippi, and extend our sympathy to his surviving family on his passing.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Sergeant Brown and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.