Resolution 64

By Beavers

A RESOLUTION to honor the memory of Specialist Michael Lane Stansbery, Jr., United States Army.

WHEREAS, the members of this General Assembly were greatly saddened to learn of the untimely death of Michael Lane Stansbery, Jr., a courageous member of the United States Army who gave his life in service to our nation; and

WHEREAS, following in the patriotic tradition for which our nation's finest sons and daughters are renowned, Specialist Stansbery was a brave and honorable member of the Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division; and

WHEREAS, Spc. Stansbery lost his life on July 30, 2010, while deployed as an active duty U.S. Army Automated Technical Data Systems Specialist in the Kandahar Providence of Afghanistan; he was twenty-one years of age; and
WHEREAS, a beloved son, brother, and fiancé, Michael Lane Stansbery, Jr. was a devout member of the Cooks United Methodist Church and a 2007 graduate of Wilson Central High School, where he was a member of the wrestling team, and proud member of Jr. ROTC; and
WHEREAS, hailing from a family of military heroes, Spc. Stansbery was inspired to join the armed forces after hearing of the unfailing sense of duty exhibited by his relatives who fought in World War II and by his father, a Marine, who rendered sterling service in Desert Storm; and WHEREAS, as a first grader, Michael Stansbery identified himself as a future soldier when he wrote: "I will go to battle and have a bunch of men with me to help. I will go to the ocean and save someone from trouble."; and

WHEREAS, Michael Lane Stansbery’s previous assignments include Ft. Sill, Oklahoma; Ft. Carson, Colorado; Ft. Campbell, Kentucky; and a tour of duty in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, after he was killed in the line of duty, police cars and motorcycles paved the way for a procession in Mt. Juliet as the entire community lined the sidewalks to pay their final respects and honor the fallen warrior; he was laid to rest on the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery; and

WHEREAS, Michael Stansbery is survived by his parents, Michael and Tammy Stansbery; his sister, Michelle Stansbery; and his fiancée, Heather Tyree; and
WHEREAS, he will also be sorely missed by his aunt, Lynelle Chauncey Zelnar, who is one of the founders of Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, an outstanding group that sends packages overseas to our deployed troops; and

WHEREAS, Spc. Stansbery’s extraordinary heroism, indomitable courage, and aggressive leadership reflect great credit on himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of this nation's armed forces; and WHEREAS, the members of this General Assembly should pause to remember the singular patriotism, courage, and commitment to duty of this exceptional soldier and human being, the late Specialist Michael Lane Stansbery, Jr., United States Army, whose loss is mourned by a grateful nation; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, that we honor the memory of Specialist Michael Lane Stansbery, Jr., a man of impeccable character and limitless courage who stalwartly committed himself to the defense of his nation as a member of the United States Army.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we express our sympathy and offer our condolences to the family of Specialist Stansbery.

Sources: Resolution: https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SR0064.pdf

Resolution Courtesy of Tennessee General Assembly, www.capitol.tn.gov/,