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1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the General Assembly
3pays honor and respect to the truly great individuals who have
4served our country and, in doing so, have made the ultimate
5sacrifice for our nation; and
 
6    WHEREAS, LCpl Jordan Bastean was a Pekin native and a 2010
7graduate of Pekin Community High School; during his time at
8Pekin High School, he was a four-year cadet of JROTC and
9captain of the Air Rifle Team; Chief Warrant Officer Jerry
10Becker, the main instructor for Pekin Community High School's
11JROTC program, described Bastean as "the son we all wish we
12had"; and
 
13    WHEREAS, LCpl Bastean enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on
14July 28, 2010 with the 1st Marine Division and completed
15recruit training at MCRD (Marine Corps Recruit Depot) San
16Diego, California; while in boot camp, he earned the rank of
17platoon high shooter, the second highest shooter in the
18company; following recruit training, he attended the School of
19Infantry at Camp Pendleton, California, where he earned the MOS
20(Military Occupation Specialty) of 0351 Infantry Assaultman;
21he reported to the Weapons Platoon, India Company, 3rd
22Battalion 7th Marines at Twentynine Palms, California; he was
23promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on April 1, 2011; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, LCpl Bastean served his country with pride and
2distinction as a member of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine
3Regiment of 1st Marine Division, 1 Marine Expeditionary Force
4out of Twentynine Palms, California; and
 
5    WHEREAS, On October 23, 2011, LCpl Bastean died in combat
6conditions while serving in support of Operation Enduring
7Freedom in Afghanistan; his personal service awards include the
8Purple Heart for wounds received in action against the enemy,
9the Combat Action Ribbon for service in Afghanistan, the Good
10Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the
11Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Campaign Star, the
12Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service
13Deployment Ribbon, the NATO Medal ISAF, and the Rifle Expert
14Badge (second award); and
 
15    WHEREAS, LCpl Bastean always believed in being the best he
16could be; he was courageous and an inspiration to others who
17knew him; according to Chief Warrant Officer Becker, "He was
18very mature for his age. He was very responsible and
19respectful."; and
 
20    WHEREAS, LCpl Bastean was the son of Kathy (Leichtenberg)
21Bastean and Steven Bastean; therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
3CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Illinois Department of
4Transportation is requested to erect appropriate signs that
5read "In Loving Memory of LCpl Jordan Bastean" on Veterans
6Drive in Pekin between station number 42+00 left and station
7number 646+00 right; and be it further
 
8    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
9presented to the family of LCpl Bastean and the Secretary of
10Transportation.