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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Wilbert Vincent "Vince" Rolves, born to Frank and
3Anna (Smith) Rolves on February 23, 1924 in Albers and recently
4of Carlyle, is a United States Army veteran and Illinois native
5who has dedicated his life to the service of Illinoisans, first
6abroad, within the North African region of the European Theater
7of World War II, and then throughout Southern Illinois; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Vince Rolves enlisted in the 45th Infantry
9Division of the United States Army during World War II before
10returning to Illinois, opening a trucking business, and later
11transitioning to a position that he held for 30 years as a
12government employee within Scott Air Force Base; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Soon after he deployed across the Atlantic while
14serving as a ground trooper or "Ground Pounder", Vince Rolves
15was appointed as a sergeant; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Vince Rolves' decorated military career is marked
17by a passionate perseverance through dire circumstances; in
18December of 1943, only half a year after he was deployed, he
19was shot and wounded in Italy as his unit was captured by
20German forces; for 18 months, he endured the harsh East
21Prussian environment as an American prisoner of war within the
22European Theater of World War II; and
 

 

 

HR0569- 2 -LRB101 15062 MST 64157 r

1    WHEREAS, Vince Rolves was forced to work hard labor within
2a prison camp and was under threat of death and subjected to a
3bitter and icy environment and extreme malnutrition; he was
4honored for his sacrifices with a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, a
5Purple Heart, and a Prisoner of War Medal; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Upon returning to Southern Illinois from Europe,
7Vince Rolves married his late wife, Loretta Thouvenin, on
8October 24, 1946 and has since bestowed upon the region a
9lasting impression; he has established an organization for
10former POWs in the area, and he has shared his experiences with
11local students in the hope of offering to such individuals an
12appreciation for the services and sacrifices of American
13servicemen and servicewomen; therefore, be it
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
15HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
16we commend, honor, and thank Wilbert Vincent "Vince" Rolves for
17his passionate and dedicated service to Illinois and his
18exemplary leadership during the Second World War and as a
19private citizen within the State of Illinois; and be it further
 
20    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
21presented to Vince Rolves as a symbol of our respect and
22esteem.