LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the untimely death of Sergeant Joseph A.
Richard III, 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 Joseph A. Richard III, and
pays tribute to his courageous actions as a member of the United States
Army; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Joseph A. Richard III, a 10th Mountain Division
soldier based at Fort Polk, Louisiana, died on April 14, 2008, at the
age of 27, during an improvised explosive device attack while on patrol
in Baghdad; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Joseph A. Richard III was a combat engineer noncom-
missioned officer assigned to 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th
Brigade Combat Team; originally from St. Martinville, Louisiana, he
joined the United States Army in January 2003, and completed basic and
advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; and
WHEREAS, He was assigned to the Fort Hood, Texas-based 588th Combat
Engineer Battalion in May 2004, and 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment
in October 2005; Sergeant Joseph A. Richard III was reassigned to 4th
BCT in March 2007; previously, he deployed to Iraq from May 2003 to
April 2004, and again from December 2005 to November 2006; and
WHEREAS, His military education includes the Warrior Leader Course and
the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade-and-Below certification; and
WHEREAS, This outstanding soldier's awards and decorations include the
Purple Heart, Army Commendation 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 and the Combat Action Badge; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Joseph A. Richard III is survived by his wife,
Monique Richard; his mother, Lois Richard; and his father, Joseph Rich-
ard; 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 Joseph A. Richard III, 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 Joseph A. Richard III.