LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the untimely death of United States Army
Specialist Abraham Sherrod Wheeler III, and paying tribute to his coura-
geous actions in Afghanistan

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to express sympathy
for the loss of a courageous soldier who sacrificed his life while serv-
ing in Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is deeply moved to mourn the untimely
death of United States Army Specialist Abraham Sherrod Wheeler III, and
to pay tribute to his courageous actions in Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, Specialist Abraham Wheeler, 22, died on Friday, August 28,
2009; born in Columbia, South Carolina, Rod, as he was affectionately
called by family and friends, was educated in the public schools of
Richland County, and was a 2005 graduate of Ridgeview High School; and
WHEREAS, At Ridgeview, Rod was honored for two years as the Best
Defensive Player for the football team; he continued his education at
Bamberg Technical School where he received a certificate in welding, and
on June 20, 2007, Specialist 4th Class Rod Wheeler, joined the United
States Army; and
WHEREAS, Specialist Wheeler completed his Basic Training at Fort
Benning, Georgia, along with his Advanced Individual Training at Fort
Gordon, Georgia, and was assigned to HHT 3/71 Cavalry at Fort Drum, New
York; in December of 2008, Rod's unit was deployed to Afghanistan where
he was performing his duties as a communication specialist; and
WHEREAS, During his brief military service, Rod Wheeler was the recip-
ient of the National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and
postmortem, the Purple Heart Award; and
WHEREAS, The freedoms and security we cherish as Americans come at a
very high price for those serving in the military in times of conflict;
it is fitting and proper that we who are the beneficiaries of those who
risk their lives, leaving their families behind, express our appreci-
ation and eternal gratitude for their sacrifices and courageous acts;
and
WHEREAS, Specialist Abraham Wheeler III is survived by his father,
Abraham, Jr., mother, Wendy, and his brother, Travis; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the untimely death of United States Army Specialist Abraham Sher-
rod Wheeler III, and to pay tribute to his courageous actions in Afghan-
istan; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Specialist Abraham Sherrod Wheeler III.