TITLE: In memory of U.S. Marine Corps Private First Class Colton Wesley Rusk of Orange Grove.

SUMMARY: In memory of U.S. Marine Corps Private First Class Colton Wesley Rusk of Orange Grove.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Words cannot adequately express the heartache felt at the loss of U.S. Marine Corps Private First Class Colton Wesley Rusk of Orange Grove, who died in Afghanistan on December 6, 2010, at the age of 20; and WHEREAS, Born on September 23, 1990, in Corpus Christi to Darrell and Kathy Rusk, Colton Rusk attended Orange Grove High School, where he excelled in sports, lettering in both football and baseball; known for his winning personality and brilliant smile, he was named the senior class favorite and Mr. Orange Grove High School by his fellow students; and WHEREAS, In June 2008, the summer before his senior year, this patriotic young Texan took the first step toward fulfilling his dream of becoming a marine by enlisting in the corps's delayed entry program; a year later he received his diploma and embarked for basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego; and WHEREAS, Private Rusk was deployed to Afghanistan on his 20th birthday, September 23, 2010; he bravely served his country as a member of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California, and he was recognized with the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal; and WHEREAS, A machine gunner with Weapons Company, Private Rusk was selected to train as a dog handler with the Improvised Explosive Device Detection team; he shared a special bond with Eli, the black Labrador retriever that accompanied him to Afghanistan, and they worked as a team to save the lives of American troops by detecting hidden bombs and weapons; when Private Rusk was mortally wounded, Eli steadfastly remained by his side; Eli has since been retired from service and adopted by the Rusk family; and WHEREAS, The marine corps values of honor, courage, and commitment have had no finer champion than Private First Class Colton Rusk, and all who knew this brave Texan will forever remember him with admiration and gratitude; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas hereby pay tribute to the memory of U.S. Marine Corps Private First Class Colton Wesley Rusk and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his parents, Darrell and Kathy Rusk; to his brothers, Cody and Brady Rusk; to his grandparents, Wayne and Katy O'Neal and Jan Rusk; to his great-grandmother, Vivian Alphin; to his aunts, Stacy Hoot, Crystal Blakeney, and Yvonne Rusk; to his uncles, Wayne O'Neal, Jr., and Brian Rusk; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of Colton Rusk.