HR0166 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0166 LRB095 11459 KXB 32422 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death in Afghanistan of Specialist Ryan C. Garbs of Edwardsville on February 18, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Ryan C. Garbs was mortally injured in a helicopter crash while executing operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; he was assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Ryan Garbs was born October 17, 1986 in Maryville, the son of Douglas & Jill Anne Burkard Garbs; he was a member of Glen Carbon New Bethel United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, Ryan Garbs gave up soccer and baseball to start physical conditioning after his sophomore year of high school; he wanted to be in great shape for the Army Rangers; he researched and began running daily, in addition to working out with weights; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from Edwardsville High School in 2005, Specialist Garbs entered the United States Army, completing basic training and advanced individual training in the military occupational specialty of Infantryman at Fort Benning, Georgia; he continued his military training and graduated from the United States Army Airborne School in February of 2006; following graduation from the Ranger Indoctrination Program, he was assigned to 1st Platoon, B Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in March of 2006; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Garbs was a two-time veteran of the Global War on Terrorism deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom; he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, where he served as a grenadier and rifleman; his awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Parachutist Badge; and

WHEREAS, He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal, and was promoted from Private 1st Class to Specialist; as a Ranger, Specialist Garbs distinguished himself as a member of the Army's premier light infantry unit, traveled to all corners of the world in support of the Global War on Terrorism, and fought valiantly to "uphold the prestige, honor, and high 'espirit de corp' of the Ranger Regiment; and

WHEREAS, Ryan C. Garbs is survived by his parents, Douglas and Jill Anne Garbs; his sister, Melanie Neely (husband, Staff Sergeant Matthew Neely, United States Air Force); his paternal grandfather, Lawrence Garbs; his paternal grandmother, Geneva "Jean" Garbs; and his maternal grandmother, Vera M. Burkard; he was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, A.A. (Bill) Burkard; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Specialist Ryan C. Garbs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we honor the memory of Ryan C. Garbs and his willingness to serve his country, which led to him making the ultimate sacrifice; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Ryan C. Garbs as a symbol of our sympathy.