HR1599 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1599 LRB095 23016 GRL 53512 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of United States Army Staff Sergeant Kevin D. Grieco, who was killed in action in Pol-e Khomri, Afghanistan on October 27, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Kevin Grieco was born in Frankfort, Germany on October 25, 1973; he lived the first 18 years of his life as an "Army brat", moving from base to base with his family, including stays in the United States and two tours in Germany; he later attended Waynesville High School in Waynesville, Missouri, and after graduation became the third generation of his family to join the United States Armed Forces when he enlisted in the United States Navy; and

WHEREAS, In 1997, after five years in the U.S. Navy, Staff Sergeant Kevin Grieco joined the Navy Reserve and moved to Winfield with his parents to begin his academic career; after taking classes at North Central College and joining the ROTC at Wheaton College, he earned his bachelor's degree in outdoor recreation and leadership from Aurora University in 2004; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Kevin Grieco's passion for his country spurred him to rejoin the military in June of 2006, when he joined the Illinois National Guard and was placed in the 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery; in June of 2008, his unit was federalized and brought to the active component; after two months of training at Fort Bragg, he was sent to Afghanistan to provide security for Afghani police training in and around his base in Konduz, where he served until his unfortunate passing; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Kevin Grieco was the recipient of numerous awards for his dedicated service in Afghanistan, including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart; he was also the recipient of the Afghan Campaign Medal, the United Nations War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Abraham Lincoln Freedom Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, and the Combat Action Badge; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Kevin Grieco joined the Cub Scouts in 1982 and, within the span of seven years, achieved the honorable title of Eagle Scout; still a dedicated Scout, he volunteered as a scout leader for Troop 575 in Winfield at the age of 24; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Kevin Grieco and his beloved wife, Rashmi Chawathe Grieco, were blessed with two children, Joshua Grieco and Angeli Grieco; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Kevin Grieco's selfless acts of dedication and patriotism serve as a model to follow for the people of the State of Illinois and the nation at large; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of United States Army Staff Sergeant Kevin D. Grieco; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we honor the memory of Staff Sergeant Kevin Grieco and his willingness to serve our country, which led to him making the ultimate sacrifice; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Staff Sergeant Kevin Grieco as an expression of our sympathy.