HJ0005 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0005 LRB099 05826 GRL 25870 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is appropriate for the members of the Illinois General Assembly to remember the many sacrifices and contributions to the cause of freedom made by the outstanding men and women who served in combat and gave the ultimate sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, Gary J. Vasquez was born on November 12, 1974 in San Jose, California; he later moved to Highland, where he graduated from Highland High School in 1992; he subsequently earned his Bachelor of Arts in Theater from Illinois State University in 1996; he married Sarah Kramer of Chesterland, Ohio on October 14, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Gary Vasquez entered the United States Army in January of 2000 as a Cavalry Scout; after receiving Advanced Individual Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he was assigned to Troop A, 1st Battalion of the 17th Cavalry Regiment (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Gary Vasquez began the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2002 and subsequently earned the coveted Green Beret; his perseverance in becoming a Green Beret fueled his great advancements within the military; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Gary Vasquez's dedication and passion for his career was evident when he relayed stories about his missions with a sparkle in his eye and a soft excitement in his voice; and

WHEREAS, When Sgt. Gary Vasquez wasn't deployed or on a training mission, he would spend time talking about and planning for his own family with Sarah; he said that if he couldn't work for the Army as a Special Forces Sergeant, his career would be as a father to his children; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Gary Vasquez's military education includes the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, the Air Movement Course, the Survival Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Course, the Basic Airborne Course, the Warrior Leaders Course, the Ranger Course, and the Special Forces Qualification Course; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Gary Vasquez was the recipient of numerous awards and decorations, including 2 Bronze Star Medals, 2 Army Commendation Medals, 2 Service Medals, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Ranger Tab, and the Special Forces Tab; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Gary Vasquez was one of 3 soldiers who gave their lives defending America's freedom on September 29, 2008, when his vehicle hit an enemy improvised explosive device while conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol in the vicinity of Yakhchal, Helmand Province, Afghanistan; he was riding with Capt. Richard G. Cliff, Jr. of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina and Sgt. First Class Jamie S. Nicholas of Maysel, West Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Gary Vasquez was survived by his wife, Sarah; his mother, Margaret DuHasek, who passed away on August 1, 2014; a brother, Barry DuHasek; and a sister, Keely Vasquez; he was preceded in death by his father, Frank Vasquez, a lieutenant colonel who served in Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Gary Vasquez was buried with full military honors at Saint Joseph Cemetery in Highland; flags in the State of Illinois were also flown at half-staff in his honor from October 9-11, 2008; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the section of Illinois Route 160 between the intersection of Broadway and Poplar Street in Highland and the intersection of West 4th Street and West 2nd Street in Trenton as the Sgt. Gary J. Vasquez Green Beret Memorial Highway; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the name of the Gary J. Vasquez Green Beret Memorial Highway; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Sgt. Gary J. Vasquez, the Mayor of Highland, the Mayor of Trenton, and the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation.