Senator Garcia offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 37.

            A resolution commemorating the 1462nd Transportation Company, Michigan Army National Guard based in Howell, Michigan.

            Whereas, It is an honor and a privilege to commend the 1462nd Transportation Company for their distinguished service in Operation Iraqi Freedom II; and

            Whereas, In the great tradition of citizen soldiers, the men and women of the 1462nd answered their country’s call to arms without hesitation or regret; and

            Whereas, On December 18, 2003, the unit was activated for deployment and left for their mobilization station on January 3, 2004, to the early morning cheers of hundreds of family members, friends, and supportive community citizens; and

            Whereas, They completed their mobilization training at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, and departed for the Middle East on March 16, 2004; and

            Whereas, During their deployment, the company hauled over 100,000 short tons of supplies, parts, and ammunition from their home operating base, Anaconda, to forward operating bases in and around the hotbeds of opposition and insurgency at Fallujah, Mosel, Tikrit, Baghdad, and Kuwait; and

            Whereas, They sallied forth on missions of vital logistical importance which typically lasted four days and covered up to 1,500 miles; and

            Whereas, The unit drove over 1.2 million miles in order to accomplish their missions, all the while providing for the security of their own convoys as well as civilian contractors and third country national convoys; and

            Whereas, The company sustained numerous casualties and received twenty-five Purple Hearts, and fortunately, suffered no one killed in action, including the soldiers and contract civilian drivers attached to them on various missions; and

            Whereas, They all returned safely home to the affection and undying gratitude of the community on February 15, 2005; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body honor the soldiers of the 1462nd Transportation Company, Michigan Army National Guard for their magnificent service to our nation and state in the defense of all freedom-loving people around the world; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the 1462nd Transportation Company as a token of our deepest gratitude and esteem.