SR1019: SR1019 Wilder, Jr., John Wesley; condolences

26 LC 129 1484 Senate Resolution 1019 By: Senators Harbison of the 15th, Rhett of the 33rd, Parent of the 44th, Orrock of the 36th, Harrell of the 40th and others A RESOLUTION Honoring the life and distinguished service of John Wesley Wild er, Jr.; and for other1 purposes.2 WHEREAS, John Wesley Wilder, Jr., a devoted husband, father, grandfather, veteran, and3 community leader, was born on August 28, 1941, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late John Wesley4 Wilder, Sr. and Evelyn Eanes Wilder; and5 WHEREAS, he received his early education in the Greater Cleveland School System before6 answering the call to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Army in 1960; and7 WHEREAS, John Wilder rendered two decades of honorable and faithful military service,8 retiring with distinction as a Sergeant First Class, during which time he served in numerous9 critical roles, including Drill Sergeant at Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Airborne Instructor10 at Fort Benning, Georgia; instructor at the 8th Army NCO Academy in Korea; and ROTC11 Instructor at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and12 WHEREAS, his military career took him across the globe, includi ng assignments at Fort13 Knox, Kentucky; Fort Benning, Georgia; Okinawa; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Mainz,14 S. R. 1019 - 1 - 26 LC 129 1484 Germany; Korea; and two tours of duty in Vietnam, where he demo nstrated courage and15 sacrifice in defense of this nation; and16 WHEREAS, for his exemplary service and valor, he was the recipi ent of numerous17 prestigious military honors and qualifications, including the M aster Parachutist Badge,18 Jumpmaster qualification, Pathfinder Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, Combat Infantryman's19 Badge, and the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat during the Vietnam War; and20 WHEREAS, following his distinguished military career, he contin ued his commitment to21 public service as a Civil Service employee for 24 years and fur thered his education by22 earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science from Troy University; and23 WHEREAS, John Wilder has been an active and impactful member of numerous civic and24 fraternal organizations, including serving as former president of the Men's Progressive Club;25 a member of Sons of King Solomon #358 Masonic Lodge; Eddie L. R oberts American26 Legion Post #333; former president of the Richard W. Williams Chapter of the Triple Nickle;27 former state commander of the Donald R. Johnston Chapter of the Military Order of the28 Purple Heart; and a dedicated member of the Lambda Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi29 Fraternity, where he was honored as Omega Man of the Year in 2001; and30 WHEREAS, he has faithfully served for more than 50 years as a devoted member of Greater31 St. Mark A.M.E. Church, contributing his time and leadership to numerous ministries,32 including the Steward Board, Trustee Board, Male Chorus, Mass C hoir, Usher Board,33 Kitchen Committee, and Finance Committee; and34 WHEREAS, he is a man of deep family values, having shared over 60 years of marriage with35 his beloved wife, Victoria P. Wilder, and together they have ra ised two sons, Michael K.36 S. R. 1019 - 2 - 26 LC 129 1484 Wilder and Steven S. Wilder, and are the proud grandparents of three grandchildren,37 William, Savannah, and Victoria; and38 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia is proud to recognize and honor individuals such as John39 Wesley Wilder, Jr. whose life of service, sacrifice, and dedication to community exemplifies40 the very best of this nation and this state.41 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body42 commend John Wesley Wilder, Jr., for his extraordinary life of service and extend their43 sincerest appreciation for his military, civic, and community contributions.44 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed45 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for di stribution to John Wesley46 Wilder, Jr.47 S. R. 1019 - 3 -