SR0975 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0975 LRB096 24031 KXB 43440 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Sergeant First Class Ronald A. "Aaron" Grider of Brighton, who was killed while serving his country in the Kunduz province of Afghanistan on September 18, 2010; and

WHEREAS, He was born on September 18, 1980; he was an Alton native and a 1998 graduate of Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto; he was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, United States Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, He is remembered for running track and cross country and also wrestling during his high school years; he is also remembered for having a great sense of humor; and

WHEREAS, He was airborne-qualified and served with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg as a grenadier, rifleman, and scout team leader; during this time, he attended and graduated from Ranger school; once he was Ranger-qualified, he served with the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia, as a rifle team leader and squad leader, where he deployed once to Afghanistan and three times to Iraq; in November of 2005, he was assigned as a special operations team member, United States Army Special Operations Command, where he deployed an additional four times to Iraq and once to Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant First Class Ronald A. "Aaron" Grider was posthumously awarded his third Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart; his other awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device, three Army Commendation Medals, five Army Achievement Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the Iraq Campaign Medal with six Bronze Service Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, five Overseas Service Bars, and the Valorous Unit Award; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant First Class Ronald A. "Aaron" Grider is survived by his parents, Ronald and Ginny Grider and Rita Grider; his sister, Sherry; his wife, Brittany Grider; his daughter, Katie-Anne Grider; and his aunt, Debbie Thompson; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family, friends, and a grateful nation, the passing of Sergeant First Class Ronald A. "Aaron" Grider; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we honor the memory of Sergeant First Class Ronald A. "Aaron" Grider 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 Sergeant First Class Ronald A. "Aaron" Grider as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.