Route 173 renamed to honor 173rd Airborne

The Illinois Senate has followed the lead of the House by unanimously passing state Rep. Jack Franks' House Joint Resolution 107 (HJR 107) honoring the service and sacrifices of the men and women of the 173rd Airborne Brigade by renaming Route 173 as the 173rd Airborne Brigade Highway.

"America owes a debt of gratitude to the men and women of our armed services," Franks said. "Renaming Route 173 will serve as a reminder to everyone who uses the road just how much the soldiers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade have done in service to our country. I am honored to have been able to take part in giving them this token of our appreciation for the selfless sacrifices they have made on behalf of the United States. It is a well deserved honor."

The 173rd Airborne Brigade, nicknamed the Sky Soldiers, was activated in 1917 and has served as infantry, armor or airborne infantry units and has received campaign ribbons for engagements in World War II, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The 173rd Airborne Brigade has been recognized by the Presidential Unit Citation for Dac To in Vietnam and Meritorious Service Citations for Vietnam and Iraq.

Franks introduced House Joint Resolution 107 in February to honor the 173rd Airborne Brigade after a retired member of the brigade, Bob Getz, approached him to introduce the legislation.

HJR 107 renames Illinois Route 173, which runs through portions of McHenry, Boone, Winnebago and Lake Counties, as the 173rd Airborne Brigade Highway and directs the Illinois Department of Transportation to construct signs along the route honoring the 173rd.

"Known as the Sky Soldiers, all those who have served with or are currently serving with the Brigade are honored to have been recognized by the Illinois State Legislature," said Bob Getz Secretary for Chapter VI - Elite Forces, 173d Airborne Brigade Association.

"We are especially proud that Specialist Jacob M. Lowell of New Lenox, the first Sky Soldier Killed in Action on the current deployment, was recognized within HJR 107."

Now that HJR 107 has passed the House and Senate, IDOT will begin constructing signs along Route 173 and the members of the 173rd Airborne Brigade have scheduled a car and motorcycle victory ride down the length of Route 173 for Saturday, Aug. 23.