HR0796LRB103 40687 MST 73458 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House 0f
3Representatives wish to congratulate Richard A. Miller on the
4occasion of his 98th birthday and thank him for his military
5service during World War II; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Richard Miller was born in the City of Aurora on
7June 26, 1926; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Richard Miller graduated from East Aurora High
9School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Richard Miller bravely served his country during
11World War II aboard the U.S.S. Drexler DD-741, during which he
12survived an attack by two Japanese kamikaze planes that sank
13the ship in 49 seconds and resulted in the loss of 158 of his
14shipmates during the Battle of Okinawa, the largest battle in
15the Pacific, where 4,907 U.S. Navy sailors were killed and
164,824 were wounded; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Richard Miller, upon returning to civilian life,
18married his life-long sweetheart, Dorothy, and built his own
19house in Aurora, where he still resides and eventually raised
20two children, three grandchildren, and two
21great-grandchildren; and
 

 

 

HR0796- 2 -LRB103 40687 MST 73458 r

1    WHEREAS, Richard Miller attended Aurora College (Aurora
2University) upon returning from service and had a
3distinguished career as the personnel manager at the Aurora
4Post Office; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Richard Miller's dedication extends beyond his
6military service; he has been actively involved in his
7community, frequently speaking at local schools and civic
8groups, and has been honored at various patriotic events
9throughout the Fox Valley, becoming known as the WWII Singing
10Sailor; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Richard Miller's contributions have been
12recognized through his participation in Honor Flights and Vets
13Roll bus trips and by the Chicago White Sox as the Hero of the
14Game; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Richard Miller's devotion to his comrades and his
16country exemplifies the spirit of the Greatest Generation,
17inspiring admiration and gratitude; therefore, be it
 
18    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
19HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
20we congratulate Richard A. Miller on his 98th birthday, thank
21him for his military service and sacrifice to the United

 

 

HR0796- 3 -LRB103 40687 MST 73458 r

1States of America, commend him for his dedication to his
2family and community, and wish him the best in all his future
3endeavors; and be it further
 
4    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
5presented to Richard Miller as an expression of our esteem and
6respect.