LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the untimely death of Sergeant First
Class David R. Hurst, and paying tribute to his courageous actions as a
member of the United States Army

WHEREAS, The courage and bravery of our military personnel since the
United States Armed Forces commenced Operation Iraqi Freedom will ensure
our continued role as a Nation which embodies the ideals of democracy,
and as a defender of liberty for people throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who
have served so valiantly and honorably during Operation Iraqi Freedom,
deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, It is with feelings of deepest regret that this Legislative
Body mourns the untimely death of Sergeant First Class David R. Hurst,
and pays tribute to his courageous actions as a member of the United
States Army; and
WHEREAS, A 10th Mountain Division soldier, 4th Brigade Combat Team,
Sergeant First Class David R. Hurst died on June 8, 2008, at the age of
31, of wounds in Baghdad from an attack the day before on his Patrol by
an improvised explosive device; and
WHEREAS, An infantry noncommissioned officer assigned to 2nd Battal-
ion, 30th Infantry Regiment, Sergeant First Class David R. Hurst was
originally from Fort Sill, Oklahoma; he enlisted in the United States
Army in April 1996 and completed basic and advanced individual training
at Fort Benning, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, An earlier assignment was with 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry
Regiment at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Sergeant First Class David R.
Hurst also served with the 82nd Airborne Division from April 2002 until
April 2004; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant First Class David R. Hurst was a basic training
drill sergeant at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, from November 2005 to October
2007; he was reassigned to Fort Polk and 4th BCT in December 2007; his
military education includes Drill Sergeant School, Air Movement Oper-
ations Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Primary Leadership
Development Course and the Basic Airborne Course; he deployed to Panama
from January 1997 to May 1997; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant First Class David R. Hurst also previously deployed
to Iraq from February 2003 to May 2003, and August 2003 to April 2004;
and
WHEREAS, This outstanding soldier's awards and decorations include the
Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commen-
dation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National
Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism
Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon,
Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Drill Sergeant Identifica-
tion Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant First Class David R. Hurst is survived by his
parents, his mother, Harrette Kock, his father, Max Wayne Hurst, and his
stepmother, Lillian T. Hurst; and
WHEREAS, The banner of freedom will always wave over our beloved New
York and all of America, the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave;
and
WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which these men and women served their country, and must recognize
that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who gave their
lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing
in action; 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;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the untimely death of Sergeant First Class David R. Hurst, and to
pay tribute to his courageous actions as a member of the United States
Army; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Sergeant First Class David R. Hurst.