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1 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, It is appropriate to remember the many sacrifices
3 and contributions to the cause of freedom made by the
4 outstanding men and women who served in the United States
5 Armed Forces; and
6 WHEREAS, The freedom we enjoy in the United States of
7 America and the State of Illinois is owed to those who made the
8 ultimate sacrifice for our nation and State; and
9 WHEREAS, Cpl. Tommy Neal Miller was born on July 19, 1949
10 and was raised in Meadowbrook near Bethalto in Madison County;
11 and
12 WHEREAS, Cpl. Miller enlisted in the United States Marine
13 Corps and served during the Vietnam War; he began his tour of
14 duty on June 10, 1968; his military specialty was mortarman,
15 and he was attached to Echo Company, Second Battalion, Fourth
16 Marines, Third Marine Division; and
17 WHEREAS, While serving as a radio operator on the morning
18 of February 25, 1969 at Fire Support Base Russell in Quang Tri
19 Province in South Vietnam, under assault by a large North
20 Vietnamese Army sappers unit, Cpl. Miller unhesitatingly
21 maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain in search of an
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1 undamaged radio; after locating operable equipment, he again
2 exposed himself to hostile fire to assist the commanding
3 officer with restoring communications; he then went to the aid
4 of his fellow Marines to free them from entrapment in debris;
5 as he attempted to free his comrades, he was mortally wounded
6 by fragments from an enemy grenade; and
7 WHEREAS, Cpl. Miller's heroic and timely actions inspired
8 all who observed him and contributed greatly to repelling the
9 enemy's assault; and
10 WHEREAS, Cpl. Miller's commendations include the Bronze
11 Star Medal with Combat "V", the Purple Heart, the Combat
12 Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam
13 Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Marine Corps
14 Presidential Unit Citation, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, the
15 Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and the Marine Corps
16 Expeditionary Medal; and
17 WHEREAS, Cpl. Miller is honored on the Vietnam Veterans
18 Memorial in Washington, DC; his name is inscribed at VVM Wall,
19 Panel 31w, Line 53; and
20 WHEREAS, Like so many who gave the ultimate sacrifice and
21 gave up many years of their lives, Cpl. Miller will forever be
22 19; and
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1 WHEREAS, Cpl. Miller is loved and missed by his family,
2 friends, and Marine brothers; therefore, be it
3 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
4 HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
5 SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate Illinois Route 140
6 as it travels through Meadowbrook as the "Cpl. Tommy N. Miller
7 Memorial Highway"; and be it further
8 RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation
9 is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with
10 State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs
11 giving notice of the name "Cpl. Tommy N. Miller Memorial
12 Highway"; and be it further
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