LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the untimely death of Captain Andrew
Michael Pedersen-Keel, and paying tribute to his courageous actions as a
member of the United States Army

WHEREAS, It is with feelings of deepest regret that this Legislative
Body mourns the untimely death of Captain Andrew Michael Pedersen-Keel,
and pays tribute to his courageous actions as a member of the United
States Army; and
WHEREAS, Captain Andrew Pedersen-Keel was mortally wounded in Afghan-
istan on Monday, March 11, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Andrew Pedersen-Keel was born on June 8, 1984, in South
Miami, Florida, and grew up in Madison, Connecticut; he graduated from
Avon Old Farms High School and entered the United States Army in May of
2006 after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in American Legal
Studies from the United States Military Academy and then becoming
commissioned as an Infantry Officer; and
WHEREAS, After completing the officer basic course at Fort Benning,
Andrew Pedersen-Keel arrived at his first assignment as an Infantry
Rifle Platoon Leader with 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division (Light) at
Fort Hood, Texas in June of 2007; in June of 2008, he deployed with A
Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment in support of OEF IIX and
IX as an executive officer; and
WHEREAS, Andrew Pedersen-Keel was selected for a second platoon lead-
ership position in September of 2008 with 3rd Platoon, B Company, where
he remained for the remainder of that deployment; as a Platoon Leader in
Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, he led his platoon in over 150 combat
foot patrols and three air assault operations in a platoon area of oper-
ations that included five different villages; and
WHEREAS, Upon returning from this deployment Andrew Pedersen-Keel was
identified as the new Battalion S-1 Administrative Officer in September
of 2009, and he oversaw the manning drawdown of 2-2 Infantry Regiment
during 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division's BRAC directed transition
from Fort Hood, Texas to Fort Knox, Kentucky; upon completion of the
troop drawdown, and formal encasement of the unit colors, he attended
Special Forces Assessment and Selection in November 2009; in September
of 2010, he graduated from the Maneuver Captains Career Course at Fort
Knox and began the Special Forces Qualification Course in November of
2010, where he also studied Pashto during the language phase; and
WHEREAS, In 2011, Andrew Pedersen-Keel completed the Special Forces
Qualification Course and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special
Forces Group where he served as an ODA Commander until his last deploy-
ment in August of 2012 as an ODA Commander in Afghanistan; at the time
of his death, he was deeply involved in training the Afghan Army; and
WHEREAS, Captain Pedersen-Keel's awards and decorations include the
Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, two Bronze
Stars, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal,
the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terror Expeditionary
Medal, the NATO Metal, Ranger Tab, Special Forces Tab, Pathfinder Badge,
Air Assault Badge, and the Parachutist Badge; he is posthumously receiv-
ing a third Bronze Star and a Purple Heart in a ceremony at Fort Bragg;
and
WHEREAS, We must never forget the courage with which our men and women
served this country, and must recognize that no greater debt is owed
than that owed to those who give of their lives for their beloved
Nation; and
WHEREAS, Captain Andrew Pedersen-Keel is survived by his fiancee,
Celeste Pizza, parents, Helen Pedersen Keiser and Bob Keiser of Madison,

Connecticut, and Henry Keel of Pompano Beach, Florida; his sister, Mary,
and many loving, close family and friends; 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 Captain Andrew Michael Pedersen-Keel, and
pay tribute to his courageous actions as a member of the United States
Army; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Captain Andrew Michael Pedersen-Keel.