Portion of Route 137 to honor fallen Libertyville soldier

The Illinois House of Representatives recently unanimously passed House Joint Resolution 21, offered by State Rep. Chris Bos (R-Lake Zurich), to honor the memory of fallen United States Army Specialist Wesley R. Wells.

Wells, a lifelong 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," Bos said.

"He paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation in 2004 while fighting insurgents in eastern Afghanistan. While designating a portion of Route 173 in his memory is a small act, by comparison, it is the least we can do to honor his sacrifice."

Wells was born in Libertyville on Oct. 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 Sept. 20, 2004, Wells was killed in action in Paktika, Afghanistan.

For his service, Wells was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Service Ribbons, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

As Bos referenced, to honor Wells' service and sacrifice, HJR 21 designates the portion of Route 137 from Route 21 to Butterfield Road in Libertyville as the "Army Spc. Wesley R. Wells Memorial Road."

The full text of HJR 21 is available at www.ilga.gov/legislation.

To view the video of Rep. Bos presenting the resolution honoring Wells on the House floor, visit RepBos.com.