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1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, It is appropriate to remember the many sacrifices
3and contributions to the cause of freedom made by the
4outstanding men and women who served in the United States
5Armed Forces; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The freedom we enjoy in the United States of
7America and the State of Illinois is owed to those who made the
8ultimate sacrifice for our nation and State; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Cpl. Tommy Neal Miller was born on July 19, 1949
10and was raised in Meadowbrook near Bethalto in Madison County;
11and
 
12    WHEREAS, Cpl. Miller enlisted in the United States Marine
13Corps and served during the Vietnam War; he began his tour of
14duty on June 10, 1968; his military specialty was mortarman,
15and he was attached to Echo Company, Second Battalion, Fourth
16Marines, Third Marine Division; and
 
17    WHEREAS, While serving as a radio operator on the morning
18of February 25, 1969 at Fire Support Base Russell in Quang Tri
19Province in South Vietnam, under assault by a large North
20Vietnamese Army sappers unit, Cpl. Miller unhesitatingly
21maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain in search of an

 

 

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1undamaged radio; after locating operable equipment, he again
2exposed himself to hostile fire to assist the commanding
3officer with restoring communications; he then went to the aid
4of his fellow Marines to free them from entrapment in debris;
5as he attempted to free his comrades, he was mortally wounded
6by fragments from an enemy grenade; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Cpl. Miller's heroic and timely actions inspired
8all who observed him and contributed greatly to repelling the
9enemy's assault; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Cpl. Miller's commendations include the Bronze
11Star Medal with Combat "V", the Purple Heart, the Combat
12Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam
13Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Marine Corps
14Presidential Unit Citation, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, the
15Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and the Marine Corps
16Expeditionary Medal; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Cpl. Miller is honored on the Vietnam Veterans
18Memorial in Washington, DC; his name is inscribed at VVM Wall,
19Panel 31w, Line 53; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Like so many who gave the ultimate sacrifice and
21gave up many years of their lives, Cpl. Miller will forever be
2219; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Cpl. Miller is loved and missed by his family,
2friends, and Marine brothers; therefore, be it
 
3    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
4HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
5SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate Illinois Route 140
6as it travels through Meadowbrook as the "Cpl. Tommy N. Miller
7Memorial Highway"; and be it further
 
8    RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation
9is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with
10State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs
11giving notice of the name "Cpl. Tommy N. Miller Memorial
12Highway"; and be it further
 
13    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
14presented to the family of Cpl. Miller and the Secretary of the
15Illinois Department of Transportation.