HR149: Celebrating the life of Sergeant First Class Dae Han Park, USA.
WHEREAS, Sergeant First Class Dae Han Park, USA, a proud member of the elite Green Berets, was killed in action on March 12, 2011; and
WHEREAS, born in the Republic of Korea, Dae Han Park, also known as Michael Schneider, grew up in Watertown, Connecticut, where he graduated from Watertown High School; and
WHEREAS, Dae Han Park studied at the University of Connecticut before ultimately joining the United States Army with his twin brother, the late Sae Jin Park-Schneider, in 1998; and
WHEREAS, Dae Han Park joined the United States Army Rangers in 2000 and completed his first overseas deployment to Iraq in 2003; he volunteered for Special Forces Assessment and Selection in 2005; and
WHEREAS, Dae Han Park was subsequently assigned to the Third Battalion, First Special Forces Group, as a communications sergeant with Operational Detachment Alpha 1333; he completed deployments throughout the world, including missions in Bangladesh, India, the Philippines, and Cambodia; and
WHEREAS, during his first deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Dae Han Park made the ultimate sacrifice when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device in the Wardak Province; and
WHEREAS, throughout his distinguished military career, Dae Han Park received the Bronze Star Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, and four Army Good Conduct Medals, among many other awards and decorations; and
WHEREAS, Dae Han Park is fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Mi Kyong; his daughters, Niya and Sadie; his parents, Joseph and Bonnie; his sister, Katie; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Sergeant First Class Dae Han Park, USA; 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 Sergeant First Class Dae Han Park, USA, as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for his memory.