HJ0005eng 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0005 Engrossed LRB103 26024 MST 52378 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 5

WHEREAS, It is appropriate to remember the many sacrifices and contributions to the cause of freedom made by the outstanding men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, Corporal Nathan E. Carlson was born in Rockford; he graduated from Harlem High School in 2019, where he was captain of the swim team; upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and attended boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego; he graduated from boot camp in August 2019 and officially earned the title of Marine; and

WHEREAS, CPL Carlson then reported to the School of Infantry in Camp Pendleton, California, where he attended Marine Combat Training (MCT); and

WHEREAS, Upon completing MCT, CPL Carlson attended Naval Aircrew candidate School in Pensacola, Florida, where he received water survival training; in January 2020, he reported to the Center of Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) at Marine Corps Air Station New River, where he learned the basic technical skills of a MV-22B mechanic; upon graduating CNATT, he attended Marine Air Group 26 (MAG-26) for initial crew chief training on the MV-22B at Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204; on September 11, 2020, he was winged and officially became a Naval Aircrewman; and

WHEREAS, In September 2020, CPL Carlson then reported to MAG-39, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 364 (VMM-364), where, in the course of his duties, he was promoted to the rank of corporal and served as a leader in the Flight Line Division as a Basic Instructor Crew Chief and Plane Captain; and

WHEREAS, In October 2020, CPL Carlson participated in Service Level Training Exercise 21-1; in April 2021, he was deployed with the squadron to Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command based out of Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait and Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia; and

WHEREAS, Upon returning from deployment, CPL Carlson married the love of his life, Emily Baxter; subsequently, he trained to become a Low Altitude Tactics instructor, Night Systems instructor, Tail Gunnery Instructor, and Collateral Duty Inspector; he amassed over 500 total flight hours and over 70 combat hours while at VMM-364; and

WHEREAS, CPL Carlson was killed in the line of duty during a military training exercise on June 8, 2022; and

WHEREAS, CPL Carlson is survived by his wife, Emily Baxter-Carlson; his parents, Karrie and Eric Carlson; his sisters, Casey and Mylee Carlson; and many close family and friends; and

WHEREAS, CPL Carlson will forever be remembered as a loving husband, son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the portion of Illinois Route 173 from its intersection with Illinois Route 251 to Interstate 90 as the "CPL Nathan E. Carlson 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 "CPL Nathan E. Carlson Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of CPL Carlson, the Secretary of Transportation, the Principal of Harlem High School, the Village President of Machesney Park, and the Mayor of Loves Park.