SR0339 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0339 LRB096 13356 GRL 28058 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Illinois Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Joshua Melton of Germantown, who was killed in action in Kandahar, Afghanistan on June 19, 2009; and

WHEREAS, SSG Joshua Melton was born on October 8, 1982 in Breese to Michael Melton and Debbie Rodgers; he married Larissa Melton on July 22, 2006 at St. Boniface Church in Germantown; and

WHEREAS, SSG Joshua Melton was a member of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry of the Illinois Army National Guard based in Marion; after enlisting in the Illinois Army National Guard in November of 2000, his first deployment was in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from December 2004 to March 2006; he was then deployed to Afghanistan, where he remained until his passing; and

WHEREAS, SSG Joshua Melton and his military pals from downstate Clinton County styled themselves "the band of brothers" after the best-selling book and film of the same name; and

WHEREAS, SSG Joshua Melton enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially his daughter, Aubrey; he was also an avid hunter and fisherman and a member of the Carlyle VFW Post 3523; and

WHEREAS, SSG Joshua Melton was preceded in death by his grandmother, Clarice Reddick; his grandfather, Jinx Warren; his uncles, Dennis Melton and Tim Hitpas; and his aunt, Doris Legate; and

WHEREAS, SSG Joshua Melton is survived by his wife, Larissa Melton; his daughter, Aubrey Melton; his parents, Michael Melton and Debbie Rodgers; his brother, Dustin (Lauren) Melton; his father-in-law, Steve Verdeyen; his mother-in-law, Carolyn (Rick) Pennington; his sister-in-law, Andrea (friend, Nate Richter) Verdeyen; his grandparents, Elmer and Nadine Melton and Bill Reddick; and his many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends; and

WHEREAS, SSG Joshua Melton's patriotism and courage will be remembered fondly by his loving family, his fellow soldiers, and the citizens of our grateful nation; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of SSG Joshua Melton; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we honor the memory of SSG Joshua Melton 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 SSG Joshua Melton as an expression of our sympathy.