Rep. Bos Resolution Designates Portion of Rt. 137 to Honor Fallen Libertyville Soldier
SPRINGFIELD - Today, the Illinois House of Representatives unanimously passed House Joint Resolution 21, offered by State Representative Chris Bos (R-Lake Zurich), to honor the memory of fallen United States Army Specialist Wesley R. Wells. SPC Wells, a life-long Libertyville resident, gave his life in 2004 while fighting insurgents in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.
"SPC Wells felt the call to service after the 9/11 terror attacks. He subsequently joined the United States Army to make a career out of protecting his country," said Bos. "He paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation in 2004 while fighting insurgents in eastern Afghanistan. While designating a portion of Rt. 173 in his memory is a small act, by comparison, it is the least we can do to honor his sacrifice."
SPC Wells was born in Libertyville on October 24, 1982, where he was a lifelong resident and attended Libertyville High School. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. In April of 2004, he was deployed to Afghanistan to conduct combat operations with the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment. On September 20, 2004, SPC Wells was killed in action in Paktika, Afghanistan.
For his service, SPC Wells was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army Service Ribbons, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
As Bos referenced, to honor SPC Wells' service and sacrifice, HJR 21 designates the portion of Illinois Route 137 from Illinois Route 21 to Butterfield Road in Libertyville as the "Army SPC Wesley R. Wells Memorial Road." Numerous family and friends of SPC Wells still live in the Libertyville area today.
The full text of HJR 21 and video of Rep. Bos presenting the resolution honoring SPC Wells on the House floor are available at RepBos.com.