HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 33

(By Delegate Savilla, Andes, Paxton and Martin)

Commemorating the life of Sergeant Deforest Lemar Talbert, son, father, brother and Sergeant in the West Virginia National Guard, who gave his life protecting the freedom of our country.

    Whereas, Sergeant Deforest Lemar Talbert was born on January 24, 1980, in Alexandria, Virginia where he grew up and attended TC Williams High School; and

    Whereas, Sergeant Deforest Lemar Talbert was a star running back for TC Williams, which is the school from the hit movie “Remember the Titans” and was known as “Touchdown Talbert”; and

    Whereas, Sergeant Deforest Lemar Talbert was a student at West Virginia State University where he was majoring in Communications; and

    Whereas, Sergeant Deforest Lemar Talbert enlisted in the West Virginia National Guard at Dunbar, West Virginia, while attending West Virginia State University and was assigned to Bravo Company 1/150 AR; and

    Whereas, Sergeant Deforest Lemar Talbert completed his basic armor training on September 13, 2001 and was awarded the 19K Armor MOS; and

    Whereas, Sergeant Deforest Lemar Talbert was mobilized as part of the Operation Iraqi Freedom on October 1, 2003, and was reassigned to Charlie Company 1/150 AR; and

    Whereas, Sergeant Deforest Lemar Talbert’s company was deployed on February 29, 2004, to Iraqi Theater of Operations along with the 1-150th Armor Battalion and the 30th Brigade Combat Team; and

    Whereas, Sergeant Deforest Lemar Talbert, once in Iraq, served as an Assistant Gunner with First Platoon, Charlie 12 gun truck; and

    Whereas, Sergeant Deforest Lemar Talbert, while patrolling on the evening of July 27, 2004, was killed when his convoy was the target of an enemy attack using an Improvised Explosive Device (IED); and

    Whereas, Sergeant Deforest Lemar Talbert’s awards include: The Army Service Ribbon, the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Badge (Pistol), the Expert Marksmanship Badge (grenade), SSI/FWS for the 30th Brigade Combat Team and the 1st Infantry Division, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with V Device; and

    Whereas, Sergeant Deforest Lemar Talbert is survived by his son Deantae, his mother Gloria Nesbitt, his father Benjamin Dickens, one brother and three sisters; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the House of Delegates:

    That regret is hereby expressed by the members of the House of Delegates at the passing of Sergeant Deforest Lemar Talbert, son, father, brother, and Sergeant in the West Virginia National Guard, who gave his life protecting the freedom of our country; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare certified copies of this resolution for the surviving family members of Sergeant Deforest Lemar Talbert.