HR0525 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0525 LRB099 12463 MST 36001 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Cpl. Sara Medina at the age of 23; and

WHEREAS, Cpl. Medina was one of 6 Marines killed while on a relief mission in Nepal the week of May 12, 2015; the helicopter was delivering rice and tarps to areas that were hit the hardest by the recent earthquakes; and

WHEREAS, Cpl. Medina was serving as a combat photographer on the relief mission, documenting the work done by the Marines and the need for assistance in Nepal; before deploying to Nepal, she had photographed Marines in South Korea, the Philippines, Japan, Australia, and the United States; she was assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 from Camp Pendleton, California; and

WHEREAS, Cpl. Medina was a 2010 graduate of East Aurora High School, where she was a member of the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps; during high school, she also did clerical work in a mechanic shop, but did not hesitate to get in and change oil or fix mufflers; and

WHEREAS, Cpl. Medina returned to her high school to talk to current students about the importance of getting a good education and about how, through her military service, she was seeing parts of the world she had only dreamed about in high school; and

WHEREAS, Cpl. Medina joined the United States Marines in November of 2010; her decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Marine Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; and

WHEREAS, Cpl. Medina is survived by her parents and siblings, in addition to a fiance and many friends; she is described as a caring, sweet, and loving person who always thought of others; and

WHEREAS, Cpl. Medina died fulfilling her dream and serving her country; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Cpl. Sara Medina, and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Cpl. Medina as an expression of our deepest sympathy.