SR1022 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1022 LRB103 40837 MST 73768 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Harold Junior Land of Topeka, who passed away on May 15, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Harold Land was born in Pekin to Harold and Mary (Watson) Land on December 27, 1949; he was drafted into the United States Army as an 11B Infantryman in 1969, where he completed Expert Jungle Training in Panama before being deployed to Vietnam with the 9th Infantry Division; he took part in months of heavy combat operations near Saigon and the Mekong River Delta and was awarded two Purple Hearts, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars; he was honorably discharged in 1971; he married Carol Siltman-Terrill in Topeka on June 29, 1991; and

WHEREAS, Harold Land retired from the United States Post Office in 2016, after 20 years of service, and was a member of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union; and

WHEREAS, Harold Land supported the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and multiple other veteran organizations; he always had an American Flag on display and served as a mentor for younger generations of veterans in his family; and

WHEREAS, Harold Land loved the outdoors and kept busy hunting, fishing, splitting wood, caring for his horses, and performing all the duties that came with caring for his property; in the summertime, he could be found in his garden working hard to produce a big harvest of vegetables to preserve for his family; he enjoyed NASCAR, riding his Harley, and a good game of cards; he treasured his time with family, always taking the time to teach them valuable lessons when the opportunity arose; and

WHEREAS, Harold Land was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Darlene Land; his brothers-in-law, Joe Stoehr, Bob Westerhouse, and Bob VanEtten; his nieces, Bobbi Jo Tyler and Amber Land; and his nephew, J.D. Siltman; and

WHEREAS, Harold Land is survived by his wife, Carol; his sons, Scott (Pam) and Matt (Chelsea) Terrill; his grandchildren, Chris, Kylie (Seth Newcomb), and Emily Terrill (Nick Sondag); his great-grandchildren, Ryan Terrill, Noah and Theodore Newcomb, and Hadley and Lucah Sondag; his sisters, Vivian Stoehr, Peggy Westerhouse, Linda VanEtten, Regina Trout, and Cherie Helfers; his brothers, Gary (Jodi), Terry "Turk" (Mary), and Doug (Janice) Land; and several nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Harold Junior Land and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Harold Land as an expression of our deepest sympathy.