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TO RECOGNIZE AND SALUTE PRIVATE FIRST CLASS LARRY RONALD GOURDINE, A GENUINE AMERICAN PATRIOT AND THE ONLY RECORDED CASUALTY FROM GOOSE CREEK, SOUTH CAROLINA IN THE VIETNAM WAR, AND TO HONOR HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE WITH THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives have learned that a memorial service will be held on May 26, 2021, honoring the life and service of Private First Class Larry Ronald Gourdine, who was the only South Carolinian from Goose Creek to be killed in action during the Vietnam War;
Whereas, a member of the 3rd Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, L Company, Private First Class Larry Ronald Gourdine was a machine gunner in the United States Marine Corps; and
Whereas, born January 22, 1949, PFC Gourdine, who called Goose Creek in Berkeley County home, came to make the bold decision to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, in order to nobly and dutifully serve his country; and
Whereas, on March 3, 1968, just forty-one days after PFC Gourdine's nineteenth birthday, he was killed in action when he came under small arms fire in the Quang Tri province of South Vietnam; and
Whereas, awarded the Purple Heart in acknowledgment of his sacrifice, he is honored and memorialized on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington, D.C., where his name is inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 42e, Line 52; and
Whereas, the bravery and selflessness displayed by PFC Gourdine should serve as a shining example of the best of our citizenry. A humble young man from Goose Creek, he served with honor in the United States Marine Corps and will be remembered by his community and this State as the kind of upright, virtuous, and selfless individual we can all aspire to be; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives wish to express their deepest sympathy for the loss of PFC Larry Ronald Gourdine, and also salute him for his service as he is honored on May 26, 2021. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and salute Private First Class Larry Ronald Gourdine, a genuine American patriot and the only recorded casualty from Goose Creek, South Carolina in the Vietnam War, and honor his distinguished service with the United States Marine Corps.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Private First Class Larry Ronald Gourdine.
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