WHEREAS, Seaman Dakota Kyle Rigsby, USN, a patriotic member of the Palmyra community, died on June 17, 2017, in service to the nation as a member of the United States Navy; and

WHEREAS, Dakota Rigsby brought joy to the lives of others through his well-known sense of humor, infectious laugh, and constant smile; he loved his family and friends and strove to make his community a better place; and

WHEREAS, possessed of a servant's heart, Dakota Rigsby joined the Lake Monticello Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad in January 2014, then enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17; and

WHEREAS, Dakota Rigsby completed basic training and "A" School at Naval Station Great Lakes, then was assigned to the USS Fitzgerald in Yokosuka, Japan, as a gunner's mate; and

WHEREAS, Dakota Rigsby died tragically while serving aboard the USS Fitzgerald after the ship sustained severe damage from a collision; and

WHEREAS, Dakota Rigsby will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his parents, Lloyd and Shawn; fiance, Jacqueline L'anglais; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Seaman Dakota Kyle Rigsby, USN; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Seaman Dakota Kyle Rigsby, USN, as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.