Bill Text: MS SC556 | 2015 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognize the patriotic service of Marine Corporal Justin Haynes of Oxford, known for iconic photo in Afghanistan with Ole Miss flag.
Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2015-02-18 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC556 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2015-SC556-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Tollison, Watson, Burton, Butler (38th), Carmichael, Chassaniol, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Massey, Norwood, Simmons (12th)
Senate Concurrent Resolution 556
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND RECOGNIZING THE PATRIOTIC SERVICE OF MARINE CORPORAL JUSTIN SANDERS HAYNES OF OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI, WHOSE ICONIC PHOTO ON DUTY IN AFGHANISTAN DISPLAYING AN "OLE MISS" FLAG WAS SEEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
WHEREAS, Marine Corporal Justin Sanders Haynes, 26 who was pictured in a photo that was iconic to the Ole Miss Community, passed away tragically on January 10, 2015, in Oxford, Mississippi. Born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Justin was a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps where he recently served his country in Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom; and
WHEREAS, he was a member of Marks Presbyterian Church and a graduate of Delta Academy in Marks, Mississippi. After attending Ole Miss, Justin called Oxford his home but never lost his love for the Delta where he grew up to appreciate the outdoors, especially hunting and playing sports. He was a confident athlete, and his family jokes that if you had any doubt of his ability, Justin could set you straight. He will be remembered as a natural-born leader, on and off the battlefield, and was fiercely loyal to his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Corporal Haynes' face was seen all over the country when the photo of him and fellow Marine Corporal Eric Nix posing with an Ole Miss flag sent to Afghanistan by the Ole Miss Athletic Department was posted on the Ole Miss Alumni Association website, where former Dean of Students Sparky Reardon said it carried a record number of hits. It was also one of the most popular ever posted on the "Forever OLE MISS" Facebook page. "It was celebrated by Rebels around the world," said Ed Meek, Hotty Toddy.com publisher, on their website. Haynes and Nix knew each other from their time at Ole Miss. As fate would have it, they ended up assigned to the same company in the same platoon. That was the beginning of a friendship Nix could only describe as closer than a brother. Haynes served in Afghanistan with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines, one of only nine Marine reserve battalions in the country. He had been with a different unit previously, but when he and fellow Ole Miss fan Nix heard the 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines was leaving for Afghanistan, they called their friend Corporal Michael Pounders and the three of them switched platoons and headed out; and
WHEREAS, survivors include his parents, Kathy and Sandy Haynes; his fianc�, Kaitlyn Rae Crosby; sister, Randall Haynes Mize and her husband, Lee; brother, Austin Carter Haynes; grandmother, Mrs. Fletcher S. Haynes; and a niece, Bailey Katherine Mize. In honor of Justin's service to his country, the flag of the United States Marine Corps was flown at Waller Funeral Home; and
WHEREAS, Corporal Haynes will be sorely missed. He rose up courageously and with gentlemanly honor to life's opportunities and challenges. While he has departed this earth, his worldly impact on his many friends and family will never be forgotten by a proud state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and recognize the patriotic service of Marine Corporal Justin Sanders Haynes of Oxford, Mississippi, whose iconic photo on duty in Afghanistan displaying an "Ole Miss" flag was seen across the country, and extend the condolences of the Legislature to his surviving family.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Corporal Haynes, forwarded to the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
