RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Twelve members of the United States Marine Corps tragically lost their lives during a nighttime training exercise in the Pacific Ocean off Hawaii on January 14, 2016; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this event by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Two CH-53E helicopters, carrying six crew members each, collided approximately 2 Vz miles from the coast of Oahu; and
WHEREAS, The transport helicopters, known as Super Stallions, are the military's largest helicopter and their crews were assigned to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Base Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, Recovery efforts were suspended on January 23, 2016 after no remains were found following a massive search; and
WHEREAS, The victims of the crash included: Major Shawn M. Campbell of College Station, Texas; Captain Brian T. Kennedy of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Captain Kevin T. Roche of St. Louis, Missouri; Captain Steven R. Torbert of Florence, Alabama; Sergeant Dillon J. Semolina of Chaska, Minnesota; Sergeant Adam C. Schoeller of Gardners, Pennsylvania; Sergeant Jeffrey A. Sempler of Woodruff, South Carolina; Sergeant William J. Turner of Florala, Alabama; Corporal Matthew R. Drown of Spring, Texas; Corporal Thomas J. Jardas of Fort Myers, Florida; Corporal Christopher J. Orlando of Hingham, Massachusetts; and Lance Corporal Ty L. Hart of Aumsville, Oregon; and
WHEREAS, A ceremony honoring the crash victims was held on January 22, 2016 in which the Marines were remembered as dedicated and full of life; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this tenth day of February, 2016, do hereby commemorate the lives of these 12 courageous members of our military and do hereby express our condolences to their families; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Brigadier General Russell Sanborn, Commanding General of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
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