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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 combat and gave the
5ultimate sacrifice; and
 
6    WHEREAS, United States Army Staff Sergeant Matthew W.
7Weikert was born on May 15, 1981 in Sioux City, Iowa; his
8parents were Richard W. "Dick" and Susan B. Weikert; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Matthew Weikert was a 2000 graduate
10of Jacksonville High School, where he was a member of the
11soccer team; he was also a member of the First Presbyterian
12Church in Jacksonville; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Matthew Weikert enlisted in the
14United States Marine Corps in August of 2001 and served 3 tours
15in Iraq in only 4 years; he later enlisted in the United States
16Army, where he completed another tour in Iraq; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Matthew Weikert was serving in
18Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment,
193rd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division (Air
20Assault), out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky at the time of his
21death; as a military leader, he had the courage to endure 5

 

 

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1deployments in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom
2and considered it his personal mission to properly prepare the
3soldiers under his command and keep them safe from harm; and
 
4    WHEREAS, After his dismounted patrol encountered an
5improvised explosive device, Staff Sergeant Matthew Weikert
6was wounded, but was able to radio the coordinates of their
7group; helicopters were deployed to the scene, saving the life
8of 2 soldiers also wounded in the attack; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Matthew Weikert was the recipient
10of numerous decorations for his meritorious service, including
11the Combat Action Ribbon (Navy/Marine), the Presidential Unit
12Citation (Navy/Marine), the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the
13Army Good Conduct Medal, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal,
14the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service
15Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal,
16the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War
17on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Navy
18Reserve Sea Service with 2 Stars, the NATO Medal, the Combat
19Infantry Badge, and the Combat Action Badge; he was also
20awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Matthew Weikert gave his life
22defending America's freedom on July 17, 2010, in the Paktika
23Province in Southern Afghanistan; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, United States and Illinois State flags throughout
2the State of Illinois flew at half-staff from July 24 to July
326, 2010; in addition, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear ordered
4the flags to fly at half-staff on July 26, 2010 as a symbol of
5mourning and honor for the sacrifice of Staff Sergeant Matthew
6Weikert; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Matthew Weikert will be remembered
8for his love of country, his generous spirit, his patriotism,
9and his love for his family and friends; and
 
10    WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General
11Assembly pays honor and respect to the truly great individuals
12who have served our country and, in doing so, have gone above
13and beyond the call of duty to take part in truly heroic tasks;
14therefore, be it
 
15    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
16NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
17SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the section of "Old
18U.S. Route 36" along Morton Avenue in Jacksonville from west of
19U.S. Route 67 to north of I-72 at Exit 68 as the SSG Matthew
20Ward Weikert U.S. Army/USMC Memorial Highway; and be it further
 
21    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be

 

 

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1presented to the family of Staff Sergeant Matthew Weikert, the
2Mayor of the City of Jacksonville, and the Secretary of the
3Illinois Department of Transportation.