SJ0034 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0034 LRB101 11624 MST 57735 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the General Assembly pays honor and respect to the truly great individuals who have served our country and, in doing so, have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation; and

WHEREAS, LCpl Jordan Bastean was a Pekin native and a 2010 graduate of Pekin Community High School; during his time at Pekin High School, he was a four-year cadet of JROTC and captain of the Air Rifle Team; Chief Warrant Officer Jerry Becker, the main instructor for Pekin Community High School's JROTC program, described Bastean as "the son we all wish we had"; and

WHEREAS, LCpl Bastean enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on July 28, 2010 with the 1st Marine Division and completed recruit training at MCRD (Marine Corps Recruit Depot) San Diego, California; while in boot camp, he earned the rank of platoon high shooter, the second highest shooter in the company; following recruit training, he attended the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, California, where he earned the MOS (Military Occupation Specialty) of 0351 Infantry Assaultman; he reported to the Weapons Platoon, India Company, 3rd Battalion 7th Marines at Twentynine Palms, California; he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on April 1, 2011; and

WHEREAS, LCpl Bastean served his country with pride and distinction as a member of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment of 1st Marine Division, 1 Marine Expeditionary Force out of Twentynine Palms, California; and

WHEREAS, On October 23, 2011, LCpl Bastean died in combat conditions while serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan; his personal service awards include the Purple Heart for wounds received in action against the enemy, the Combat Action Ribbon for service in Afghanistan, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the NATO Medal ISAF, and the Rifle Expert Badge (second award); and

WHEREAS, LCpl Bastean always believed in being the best he could be; he was courageous and an inspiration to others who knew him; according to Chief Warrant Officer Becker, "He was very mature for his age. He was very responsible and respectful."; and

WHEREAS, LCpl Bastean was the son of Kathy (Leichtenberg) Bastean and Steven Bastean; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Illinois Department of Transportation is requested to erect appropriate signs that read "In Loving Memory of LCpl Jordan Bastean" on Veterans Drive in Pekin between station number 42+00 left and station number 646+00 right; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of LCpl Bastean and the Secretary of Transportation.