SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 201
(By Senators Tomblin, Mr. President, Bailey, Boley,
Bowman,
Burnette, Caldwell, Chafin, Craigo, Deem, Edgell, Facemyer,
Fanning, Helmick, Hunter, Jackson, Love, McCabe, McKenzie,
Minard, Minear, Mitchell, Oliverio, Plymale, Prezioso, Redd,
Ross, Rowe, Sharpe, Snyder, Sprouse, Unger and Wooton)
Memorializing the life of SSG Gene Arden Vance, Jr., who became an
American hero on May 19, 2002, while serving his nation in
Afghanistan.
Whereas, Gene Arden Vance, Jr., was born into a military
family in Frankfort, Germany, on November 30, 1963, the son of the
late Gene Arden Vance, Sr., and June Steel Vance; and
Whereas, Gene Arden Vance, Jr., a McDowell County native, was
a 1981 graduate of Oceana High School, Wyoming County, where he was
voted "most quiet" in his high school senior class; and
Whereas, Gene Arden Vance, Jr., who managed one of West
Virginia's largest sporting goods stores in Morgantown, was a true
West Virginia Mountaineer. He was not only a student at West
Virginia University, but an avid outdoorsman who loved mountain
biking, backpacking and kayaking; and
Whereas, Gene Arden Vance, Jr., served his nation in the United States Army from 1983 to 1990. He joined the United States
Army Reserves in 1992 and was a member of the Support Company 2nd
Battalion, 19th Special Forces of Kenova. He was highly trained in
advanced international Morse code and Persian Farsi language. He
had earned a Bronze Star for his service in the Persian Gulf; and
Whereas, In December, 2001, after the terrible events of
September 11, 2001, which began America's war on terrorism, Support
Company 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces of Kenova was activated
and SSG Gene Arden Vance, Jr., became a part of Operation Enduring
Freedom; and
Whereas, On May 19, 2002, SSG Gene Arden Vance, Jr., was on a
mission in Afghanistan to extract Taliban and al-Qaida forces when
his group was ambushed. Sadly, SSG Gene Arden Vance, Jr., was
killed in action. He was the first West Virginia National
Guardsman to be killed in action since World War II; and
Whereas, SSG Gene Arden Vance, Jr., made the ultimate
sacrifice in our nation's pursuit of terrorists for which a
grateful nation bows its head in sorry. His death and his
dedication and commitment to the armed forces strengthens our
resolve as a nation; and
Whereas, Fittingly, SSG Gene Arden Vance, Jr., was laid to
rest on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2002. During his memorial
service, he was posthumously bestowed a second Bronze Star, a
Purple Heart and a Legion of Merit Award along with the West Virginia Distinguished Service Medal. He was also awarded a West
Virginia University diploma, Honorary Regents of Bachelor of Arts
degree; and
Whereas, SSG Gene Arden Vance, Jr., leaves behind his beloved
wife, Lisa Selmon Vance of Morgantown; daughter, Amber Nichole
Vance of Lake Wales, Florida; mother, June Steel Vance of
Rutherfordton, North Carolina; sister, Jamie Vance-Minc of
Marietta, Georgia; and brother, SGT William David Vance of Fort
Campbell, Kentucky; therefore, be it
Resolved by the West Virginia Legislature:
That the Legislature hereby recognizes the sacrifice of SSG
Gene Arden Vance, Jr., who's service to a grateful nation will not
be forgotten and who's passing has only strengthened our resolve in
pursuit of terrorists and those who harbor them; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislature hereby recognizes that
the death of SSG Gene Arden Vance, Jr., has touched the heart of a
grateful nation and has enshrined him in American history as a true
hero; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby
directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the family of SSG
Gene Arden Vance, Jr.