HR1568 LRB095 22758 GRL 53183 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives wish to thank Leon Jennings for his dedicated
4 service to his nation in the battle of Iwo Jima during World
5 War II; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Leon Jennings entered active service with the U.S.
7 Marine Corps on December 28, 1943 in Chicago; after training at
8 the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, he was
9 assigned to the 2nd Separate Engineer Battalion of the 5th
10 Marine Division for training at Camp Lejeune and Guam; and
 
11     WHEREAS, After Leon Jennings and his battalion landed on
12 Iwo Jima on February 20, 1945, Mr. Jennings was principally
13 assigned to perimeter security for his unit; he came close to
14 being wounded when shrapnel from U.S. Navy gunfire pierced his
15 mess kit that had been placed on the rim of his fighting hole;
16 during his time on Iwo Jima, he bore witness to the historic
17 event of the American flags being raised on Mount Suribachi;
18 and
 
19     WHEREAS, After leaving Iwo Jima at the battle's end, Leon
20 Jennings began training for the invasion of mainland Japan; in
21 December of 1945, he was honorably discharged with the rank of
22 Private First Class; and
 

 

 

HR1568 - 2 - LRB095 22758 GRL 53183 r

1     WHEREAS, After his honorable discharge, Leon Jennings had a
2 40 year career with Seal Masters in Aurora; he played fast
3 pitch softball for many years and is an accomplished bowler;
4 and
 
5     WHEREAS, Leon Jennings is a member of numerous
6 organizations, including the Marine Corps League (Fox Valley
7 Detachment 1233), the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Montgomery,
8 the American Legion in Sugar Grove, and the Tiger Club and
9 Phoenix Club in Aurora; and
 
10     WHEREAS, Leon Jennings has been married to Suzann for 40
11 years; he has seven children, 21 grandchildren, and 10
12 great-grandchildren; and
 
13     WHEREAS, Leon Jennings' great courage and devotion to his
14 country are worthy of the greatest respect; therefore, be it
 
15     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
16 NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
17 thank Leon Jennings for his dedicated service to his nation in
18 the battle of Iwo Jima during World War II and wish him the
19 best in his future endeavors; and be it further
 
20     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be

 

 

HR1568 - 3 - LRB095 22758 GRL 53183 r

1 presented to Leon Jennings as a symbol of our esteem and
2 respect.