Bill Text: VA SJR196 | 2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Corporal Ryan C. McGhee, USA.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2020-03-03 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ196ER) [SJR196 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-SJR196-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Corporal Ryan C. McGhee, USA, of Spotsylvania, who fearlessly took decisive action to engage the enemy, and in so doing, saved the lives of several fellow Rangers, was killed in the line of duty on May 13, 2009; and
WHEREAS, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ryan McGhee relocated to Virginia, where he attended Massaponax High School, earning second team all-state honors as a defensive lineman on the football team; and
WHEREAS, Ryan McGhee was inspired by the events of September 11, 2001, and by his role model, the late Pat Tillman, a former professional football player and United States Army Ranger, to serve his country after graduating high school; and
WHEREAS, Ryan McGhee enlisted in the United States Army on August 1, 2006, and was assigned to Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment on March 1, 2007; he served as a rifleman and grenadier before becoming one of the founding members of Delta Company as a weapons squad team leader; and
WHEREAS, Ryan McGhee made the ultimate sacrifice while conducting combat operations in central Iraq to eliminate a known weapons facilitator and suicide vest cell during his fourth deployment in support of the Global War on Terror; he had previously completed three deployments to Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, Ryan McGhee earned several awards and decorations for his service, including the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Ranger Leadership Tab, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Combat Star, and the Iraq Campaign Medal with Combat Star, among many others; and
WHEREAS, Ryan McGhee is fondly remembered and greatly missed by his mother, Sherrie; his brother, Zachary, who named a son in his honor; his half-siblings, Gabriel and Elle; and numerous other family members, friends, and fellow service members; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Corporal Ryan C. McGhee, USA; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Corporal Ryan C. McGhee, USA, as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
