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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of United
4States Army Staff Sergeant Matthew W. Weikert of Jacksonville,
5who gave his life defending America's freedom on July 17, 2010,
6in the Paktika Province in Southern Afghanistan; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Matthew W. Weikert was born May 15, 1981 in Sioux
8City, Iowa; he is the son of Richard W. "Dick" and Susan B.
9Weikert; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Matthew Weikert was a 2000 graduate
11of Jacksonville High School, where he was a member of the
12soccer team; he was also a member of the First Presbyterian
13Church in Jacksonville; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Matthew Weikert enlisted in the United States
15Marine Corps in August of 2001 and served 3 tours in Iraq in
16only 4 years; he later enlisted in the United States Army,
17where he completed another tour in Iraq; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Matthew Weikert was serving in
19Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment,
203rd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division (Air
21Assault), out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky at the time of his

 

 

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1death; as a military leader, he had the courage to endure 5
2deployments in support of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom
3and considered it his personal mission to properly prepare the
4soldiers under his command and keep them safe from harm; and
 
5    WHEREAS, After his dismounted patrol encountered an
6improvised explosive device, Staff Sergeant Matthew Weikert
7was wounded, but was able to radio the coordinates of their
8group; helicopters were deployed to the scene, saving the life
9of two soldiers also wounded in the attack; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Matthew Weikert was the recipient
11of numerous decorations for his meritorious service, including
12the Combat Action Ribbon (Navy/Marine), the Presidential Unit
13Citation (Navy/Marine), the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the
14Army Good Conduct Medal, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal,
15the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service
16Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal,
17the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War
18on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Navy
19Reserve Sea Service with 2 Stars, the NATO Medal, the Combat
20Infantry Badge, and the Combat Action Badge; he was also
21awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star; and
 
22    WHEREAS, United States and Illinois State flags throughout
23the State of Illinois flew at half-staff from July 24 to July

 

 

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126, 2010; additionally, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear
2ordered the flags to fly at half-staff on July 26, 2010 as a
3symbol of mourning and honor for the sacrifice of Staff
4Sergeant Matthew Weikert; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Matthew Weikert will be remembered
6for his love of country, his generous spirit, his patriotism,
7and his love for his family and friends; and
 
8    WHEREAS, In his spare time, Matthew Weikert enjoyed hunting
9pheasant with his grandfather, playing golf with his family and
10friends, and spending time with his son, Jayse, which he looked
11forward to the most; he was also an avid St. Louis Cardinals
12and Dallas Cowboys fan; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Matthew Weikert dedicated his life
14to defending America's freedom and gave the ultimate sacrifice;
15he will be missed by his mother and father, Susan B. (Kiel) and
16Richard W. "Dick" Weikert of Jacksonville; his sisters, Meghan
17and Melissa; his son, Jayse Schaecher Weikert; his girlfriend,
18Danica Schild and their daughter, Mattisyn Weikert; the mother
19of his son, Megan Schaecher; his paternal grandparents, Richard
20A. and Virginia Weikert of Sioux City, Iowa; his maternal
21grandparents, Reverend Wesley and Nell Kiel of Holland,
22Michigan; his aunts and uncles, Cathy and Neil (deceased)
23Dartman, Kim Weikert-Moner and Chris Moner, Steven (Sheryl)

 

 

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1Kiel, Sheryl (Dave) Mallehan, Scott (Cathy) Kiel; his many
2cousins; his fellow soldiers; and the citizens of our grateful
3nation; therefore, be it
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
5NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
6we mourn, along with his family, friends, and the rest of a
7grateful nation, the passing of United States Army Staff
8Sergeant Matthew W. Weikert; and be it further
 
9    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
10presented to the family of Staff Sergeant Matthew Weikert as a
11symbol of our sincere sympathy.