LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the untimely death of Sergeant Merlin
German and paying tribute to his devoted service as a member of the
United States Marines

WHEREAS, The courage and bravery of our military personnel ensures 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, It is with feelings of deepest regret that this Legislative
Body mourns the untimely death of Sergeant Merlin German, and pays trib-
ute to his devoted service as a member of the United States Marines; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Merlin German died on April 11, 2008, at the age of
22, at Brooke Army Medical Center; and
WHEREAS, Merlin German was born in Manhattan, New York, to Hemery and
Lourdes German, immigrants from the Dominican Republic; he grew up in
Washington Heights and moved to Greensburgh, New York, in 2001 where he
attended Woodlands High School for his junior and senior years; and
WHEREAS, He enlisted in the Marine Corps on September 8, 2003, and
received a meritorious promotion to Private First Class (PFC) out of
boot camp; in April of 2004, he transferred to his first permanent duty
station, 5th Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division where he
served as a Field Artillery Cannoneer; and
WHEREAS, Shortly after Merlin German was assigned to his unit, he was
sent to Machine-gunner's Course; among the Corporals and Sergeants, he
was the only Private First Class to attend the course; he graduated
second in his class; and
WHEREAS, In September 2004, Sergeant Merlin German was deployed to
Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; his parent unit was 2nd
Battalion, 11th Marines from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Califor-
nia; and
WHEREAS, On September 28, 2007, Sergeant Merlin German was medically
retired, as a result of his injuries; and
WHEREAS, After regaining his ability to walk, Sergeant Merlin German
purchased a home in San Antonio, Texas, and founded the Merlin's Mira-
cles charity organization, to help child burn victims; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Merlin German is survived his loving parents and his
sisters Marcia and Lawren, as well as his brothers, Ariel, Freddie,
Johnny, Alejandro and Julio; and
WHEREAS. Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Sergeant Merlin German leaves behind a legacy which will
long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory
to all he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the untimely death of Sergeant Merlin German, and to pay tribute
to his devoted service as a member of the United States Marines; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Sergeant Merlin German.