HR0208 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of USMC Corporal Aaron J. Ripperda of Marine, who passed away on March 18, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Corporal Aaron J. Ripperda graduated from Highland High School in 2005; during high school, he played football and was involved in the school's annual madrigal dinner; and

WHEREAS, After high school, Corporal Aaron J. Ripperda attended St. Xavier University in Chicago for a year and then enrolled in and graduated from the L'Ecole Culinaire School in St. Louis, Missouri; and

WHEREAS, Being an avid traveler, Corporal Aaron J. Ripperda felt a calling to explore the world by becoming a Marine in 2008; while at Camp Lejeune, he developed a passion for sailing, bought a two-person sailboat, and often took friends out on a bay near the base; and

WHEREAS, While enlisted in the Marine Corps, Corporal Aaron J. Ripperda traveled to several countries, including Haiti to help with recovery efforts after the 2010 earthquake, and Afghanistan; in April of 2011, he was promoted to the rank of corporal; among his numerous honors were a Navy Unit Commendation and a Humanitarian Service Medal; and

WHEREAS, Corporal Aaron J. Ripperda was one of seven members of the Second Marine Division whose lives was lost on March 18, 2013, in an explosion during training at the Hawthorne Army Depot in western Nevada; he was the most senior of those lost on that day, both in age and rank; and

WHEREAS, Corporal Aaron J. Ripperda is survived by his father, Kent (Colleen) Ripperda; his mother, Tina (Jeff) Sutton; his sister, Kendall (significant other, Charlie Swaim) Ripperda; his paternal grandmother, Rita Ripperda; his maternal grandfather, Ronald (Jackie) Lesicko; his special friend, Jessica Iskrzycki; his aunts and uncles, Kurt (Lynn) Ripperda, Cara (significant other, John Zerkle) Tomasek, William (Beverly) Lesicko, Patrick (Julie) Lesicko; and his many cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Corporal Aaron J. Ripperda; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we honor the memory of Corporal Aaron J. Ripperda and his patriotism and willingness to serve his country, which led him to making the ultimate sacrifice; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Corporal Aaron J. Ripperda as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.