HR0696 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0696 LRB096 15128 GRL 30184 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Illinois House of Representatives wishes to recognize the accomplishments of its distinguished residents and their efforts to ensure that our country never forgets the sacrifices made by the veterans of its Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, Edward T. Meyers, Sr. of Joliet will celebrate his 90th birthday on October 28, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Meyers was born on October 28, 1919, in Joliet; he is the youngest child of Charles Meyers and Elizabeth (McGee) Myers; and

WHEREAS, When World War II broke out, Mr. Meyers tried to enlist, but was initially refused because of his poor eyesight; however, as the war escalated, he was later drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943 and assigned to the 65th Signal Battalion's Company A; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Meyers did not have any previous skills in the communications field, but his high grades earned him an offer to attend Officers' Candidate School, which he declined; he had a natural knack for figuring out how both mechanical and electrical devices worked and could install virtually anything, a skill he still has today; and

WHEREAS, During World War II, the 65th Signal Battalion Company A was assigned to Germany, where Mr. Meyers served 2 of his 3 years of service; and

WHEREAS, After the war, Mr. Meyers became a truck driver and married Virginia Hill; he also gained a step-daughter, Judy, and the couple had a son, Edward Jr.; Edward Sr. later became a dispatch supervisor for a trucking company; and

WHEREAS, In 1970, Edward T. Meyers, Sr. responded to a call from 3 of his fellow veterans, Jimmy Ford, Troy Spear, and Jim Alstatt, who were organizing a reunion of the 65th Signal Battalion Company A, by attending and assisting with the reunions; and

WHEREAS, The first reunion was held in 1970 at Mammoth Cave, Kentucky and lasted 4 days; the reunion was a big success, with 45 heroes and families in attendance; as time went by, Mr. Meyers assumed more reunion duties and other companies asked to join the Company A reunions, resulting in the entire 65th Signal Battalion companies reuniting annually; and

WHEREAS, The stories told at these reunions were very sad; veterans wept as they remembered how some of their comrades died in action; some were killed by snipers while perched atop poles repairing or installing lines as the 65th Signal Companies forged ahead into enemy lines to establish communications for approaching friendly troops; and

WHEREAS, These surviving veterans felt that the great bond forged among them was due to their dependence on each other to stay alive; and

WHEREAS, All were devoted to their country, but, on an individual basis, would do anything for each other; the trust and loyalty shared among them is unmatched, as is their respect for each other; and

WHEREAS, In the late 1980s, the original organizers of the reunions of the 65th Battalion Companies passed away, leaving Edward T. Meyers, Sr. as the reunion's main organizer; in this role, he would send notices to the newsletter, visit the city chosen for the next reunion, review proposed contracts from several hotels, and complete the agreement that would meet the reunion's needs; he helped arrange the events to be held, collect fees for the dinner, and help arrange the reunion's video presentations, speakers, and entertainment; and

WHEREAS, Edward T. Meyers, Sr. has been attending and organizing reunions of the 65th Signal Companies for 39 years; next year's reunion will mark his 40th year; and

WHEREAS, Edward T. Meyers, Sr. still lives independently at his home in Joliet; he has always kept his wife, Virginia, who passed away in 1990, in his heart; he still enjoys spending time with his granddaughter, Kim, and his great-grandchildren, Keara and Kayla; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Edward T. Meyers, Sr. on the occasion of his 90th birthday and salute his 39 years of service and loyal work in organizing reunions for the 65th Signal Battalion; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Edward Meyers, Sr. as a symbol of our esteem and respect.