HR0615 LRB093 15000 KEF 40569 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the
3 State of Illinois recognize William Franker for his heroic
4 military service; and
 
5     WHEREAS, In March 1967, at 17, Mr. Franker enlisted in the
6 Unites States Marines; five days after graduation from Chicago
7 Vocational he was on his way to boot camp; six months later, he
8 landed in Vietnam; and
 
9     WHEREAS, He spent his battles with Alpha Company in a tank,
10 first as crewman, then as a tank commander, then as a heavy
11 section leader; and
 
12     WHEREAS, Mr. Franker was wounded twice, each time when he
13 was out of his tank; the first, May 19, 1969, took him out of
14 action for weeks because he lost his hearing; it happened as he
15 was guiding the tanks into defensive position for the night
16 when one rolled over a land mine; he was four feet away, but
17 the blast got him; and
 
18     WHEREAS, The second time he was wounded was August 2, 1969,
19 when after a heavy storm of mortar fire, he got out of the tank
20 to take care of his guys and help move the wounded; mortar fire
21 started again, he was hit; and
 
22     WHEREAS, Things were tough for Mr. Franker when he returned
23 from Vietnam in June 1970 after two tours; people didn't know
24 how to treat him; it was tough to get a job; he is currently the
25 warehouse manager at Illiana Transit warehouse in Hammond; and
 
26     WHEREAS, Mr. Franker and his wife of 24 years, Mary, have
27 three children, Steve, Lauren, and Kim; therefore, be it
 
28     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE

 

 

HR0615 - 2 - LRB093 15000 KEF 40569 r

1 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
2 honor William Franker who served his country valiantly through
3 his military service; and we wish him well in all his future
4 endeavors; and be it further
 
5     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6 presented to William Franker as an expression of our respect
7 and esteem.