HR0575 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0575 LRB103 39134 MST 69276 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Wilbert Vincent "Vince" Rolves on the occasion of his 100th birthday on February 23, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Vince Rolves, a resident of Carlyle, was born on February 23, 1924 to Frank and Anna (Smith) Rolves in Albers in Clinton County; and

WHEREAS, Vince Rolves was drafted into the United States Army in 1943 at age 18 during World War II; he served in Company C, 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division in the North African region of the European Theater and then near Naples, Italy, where he first saw combat and was promoted to sergeant while serving as a ground trooper, commonly referred to as a Ground Pounder; and

WHEREAS, Vince Rolves was shot and wounded on December 14, 1943 in Italy as his unit was captured by German forces; he survived harsh conditions as an American prisoner of war (POW) in the harsh East Prussian region; he was honored for his sacrifices with the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and the Prisoner of War Medal; and

WHEREAS, Vince Rolves returned from his World War II service and married his late wife, Loretta Thouvenin, on October 24, 1946; he opened a trucking business and later worked for 30 years as an employee with Scott Air Force Base in southern Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Vince Rolves established an organization for POWs in the southern Illinois area, sharing his experiences with students; in 2017, he taped an audio interview for the Illinois Veterans History Project about his World War II service; he has supported all veterans and many community activities on behalf of our military service members, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars (V.F.W.) Post 3523 in Carlyle, the Marion County Soldiers' & Sailors' Reunion, and the Centralia Area Veterans Fourth of July Parade; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that on the occasion of his centennial birthday, we honor, and commend the exemplary service and sacrifice of Wilbert Vincent "Vince" Rolves to the United States of America, Illinois, Clinton County, and the southern Illinois region; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Vince Rolves as a symbol of our respect and esteem.