TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE SUPREME SACRIFICE MADE BY STAFF SERGEANT STEVEN M. THEOBALD OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY WHILE HE WAS SERVING A TOUR OF MILITARY DUTY IN KUWAIT, AND TO EXPRESS TO HIS FAMILY THE PROFOUND APPRECIATION OF A GRATEFUL STATE AND NATION FOR HIS LIFE, SACRIFICE, AND SERVICE.
Whereas, with deep appreciation, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly honor, on behalf of all South Carolinians, the great sacrifice that the men and women of the United States Armed Forces make for the ideals of liberty and justice so richly enjoyed in this nation; and
Whereas, born in Pensacola, Florida, Steven M. Theobald was the son of Geraldine Gullette Rabon and the late Martin Theobald, and he called Goose Creek his home; and
Whereas, he enlisted in the regular Army on July 18, 1975, and served for three years, and then joined the United States Army Reserve on April 26, 1984; and
Whereas, during his distinguished military career, Staff Sergeant Theobald served a tour of duty in Iraq from 2003 to 2004 and earned numerous awards, including the Army Achievement Medal, two Army Good Conduct Medals, and two National Defense Service Medals; and
Whereas, in Aprilof 2010, Staff Sergeant Theobald answered the call of his country to serve a tour of duty in Kuwait and deployed with his unit, the 287th Transportation Company; and
Whereas, on June 4, 2010, at the age of fifty-three, Staff Sergeant Steven M. Theobald gave his life in Kuwait City, Kuwait, after suffering injuries in a military vehicle rollover; and
Whereas, he left behind his beloved wife, Heike Braun Theobald; three loving children: Jessica, Christopher, and Daniel; his parents; and many other family members and dear friends; and
Whereas, there is no greater or braver sacrifice for a man to make for his country than to lay down his life; therefore, for his valor, Staff Sergeant Steven M. Theobald received the Palmetto Patriot Award from former Lieutenant Governor André Bauer; and
Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is honored to remember the life and sacrifice of a brave son and hero of the Palmetto State, Staff Sergeant Steven M. Theobald. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, honor and remember the supreme sacrifice made by Staff Sergeant Steven M. Theobald of the United States Army while he was serving a tour of military duty in Kuwait, and express to his family the profound appreciation of a grateful State and nation for his life, sacrifice, and service.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Staff Sergeant Steven M. Theobald.