HR0631 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0631 LRB097 14731 GRL 59733 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Staff Sergeant Ari Richard Cullers of Waterford, Connecticut, who passed away on October 30, 2011; and

WHEREAS, SSG Ari Cullers was born in New London, Connecticut; he joined the Army soon after graduating from Waterford High School in 2001; and

WHEREAS, SSG Ari Cullers was a member of the Army's Headquarters Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Third Brigade Combat Team of the Army's 10th Mountain Division, based out of Fort Drum, New York; and

WHEREAS, SSG Ari Cullers earned numerous awards for his meritorious service, including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver W Bar, the Combat and Special Skill Badge, the Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge, the Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), and the Overseas Service Bar; and

WHEREAS, SSG Ari Cullers was preceded in death by his grandfather, Benjamin David Cullers Sr.; his grandmother, Madeline Epperson; and his cousin, Jeremy Ferrell; and

WHEREAS, SSG Ari Cullers is survived by his father, Benjamin David Cullers Jr., and his wife, Stachia Cullers; his mother, Robin E. Cornele; his brother, Jacob Cullers; his grandmother, Kay Cullers; his uncles and aunts, Gene and Ruth Teal, Bruce and Jana Cullers, Janice Reyes, Daniel Coleman, Kimball Poletti, Shawn Cornele, Jeffery Epperson, Carol Coleman, Pamela Coleman, Kathy Coleman, and Patricia Burt; and his many cousins and their families; and

WHEREAS, SSG Ari Cullers' 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 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Staff Sergeant Ari Richard Cullers; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of SSG Ari Cullers as an expression of our sympathy.