HJ0052LRB098 14129 GRL 48710 r

1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, It is appropriate for us to remember the many
3sacrifices and contributions to the cause of freedom made by
4the outstanding men and women who served in the United States
5Armed Forces and gave the ultimate sacrifice defending
6America's freedom; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Corporal Aaron J. Ripperda was one of seven
8members of the 2nd Marine Division whose lives were lost on
9March 18, 2013, in an explosion during training at the
10Hawthorne Army Depot in western Nevada; he was the most senior
11of those lost on that day, both in age and rank; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Corporal Aaron J. Ripperda was born January 6,
131987 in Breese and graduated from Highland High School in 2005;
14during high school, he played football and was involved in the
15school's annual madrigal dinner; and
 
16    WHEREAS, After high school, Corporal Aaron J. Ripperda
17attended St. Xavier University in Chicago for a year and then
18enrolled in and graduated from the L'Ecole Culinaire School in
19St. Louis, Missouri; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Being an avid traveler, Corporal Aaron J. Ripperda
21felt a calling to explore the world by becoming a Marine in

 

 

HJ0052- 2 -LRB098 14129 GRL 48710 r

12008; while at Camp Lejeune, he developed a passion for
2sailing, bought a two-person sailboat, and often took friends
3out on a bay near the base; and
 
4    WHEREAS, While enlisted in the Marine Corps, Corporal Aaron
5J. Ripperda traveled to several countries, including Haiti to
6help with recovery efforts after the 2010 earthquake, and
7Afghanistan; in April of 2011, he was promoted to the rank of
8corporal; among his numerous honors were a Navy Unit
9Commendation and a Humanitarian Service Medal; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Corporal Aaron J. Ripperda is survived by his
11father, Kent (Colleen) Ripperda; his mother, Tina (Jeff)
12Sutton; his sister, Kendall (significant other, Charlie Swaim)
13Ripperda; his paternal grandmother, Rita Ripperda; his
14maternal grandfather, Ronald (Jackie) Lesicko; his special
15friend, Jessica Iskrzycki; his aunts and uncles, Kurt (Lynn)
16Ripperda, Cara (significant other, John Zerkle) Tomasek,
17William (Beverly) Lesicko, Patrick (Julie) Lesicko; and his
18many cousins; and
 
19    WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General
20Assembly pays honor and respect to the truly great individuals
21who have served our country and, in doing so, have gone above
22and beyond the call of duty to take part in truly heroic tasks;
23therefore, be it
 

 

 

HJ0052- 3 -LRB098 14129 GRL 48710 r

1    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
2NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
3SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the portion of
4Illinois Route 143 within the city limits of Highland as the
5Cpl. Aaron J. Ripperda Memorial Highway; and be it further
 
6    RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation
7is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with
8State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs
9giving notice of the name of the Cpl. Aaron J. Ripperda
10Memorial Highway; and be it further
 
11    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
12presented to the family of Corporal Aaron J. Ripperda and the
13Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation.