Bill Text: IL HR0696 | 2009-2010 | 96th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulates Edward T. Meyers, Sr. on the occasion of his 90th birthday on October 28, 2009 and salutes his 39 years of service and loyal work in organizing reunions for the 65th Signal Battalion.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2009-10-28 - Resolution Adopted [HR0696 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2009-HR0696-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Illinois House of Representatives wishes to
recognize the accomplishments of its distinguished residents
and their efforts to ensure that our country never forgets the
sacrifices made by the veterans of its Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, Edward T. Meyers, Sr. of Joliet will celebrate his
90th birthday on October 28, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Meyers was born on October 28, 1919, in
Joliet; he is the youngest child of Charles Meyers and
Elizabeth (McGee) Myers; and
WHEREAS, When World War II broke out, Mr. Meyers tried to
enlist, but was initially refused because of his poor eyesight;
however, as the war escalated, he was later drafted into the
U.S. Army in 1943 and assigned to the 65th Signal Battalion's
Company A; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Meyers did not have any previous skills in the
communications field, but his high grades earned him an offer
to attend Officers' Candidate School, which he declined; he had
a natural knack for figuring out how both mechanical and
electrical devices worked and could install virtually
anything, a skill he still has today; and

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WHEREAS, During World War II, the 65th Signal Battalion
Company A was assigned to Germany, where Mr. Meyers served 2 of
his 3 years of service; and
WHEREAS, After the war, Mr. Meyers became a truck driver
and married Virginia Hill; he also gained a step-daughter,
Judy, and the couple had a son, Edward Jr.; Edward Sr. later
became a dispatch supervisor for a trucking company; and
WHEREAS, In 1970, Edward T. Meyers, Sr. responded to a call
from 3 of his fellow veterans, Jimmy Ford, Troy Spear, and Jim
Alstatt, who were organizing a reunion of the 65th Signal
Battalion Company A, by attending and assisting with the
reunions; and
WHEREAS, The first reunion was held in 1970 at Mammoth
Cave, Kentucky and lasted 4 days; the reunion was a big
success, with 45 heroes and families in attendance; as time
went by, Mr. Meyers assumed more reunion duties and other
companies asked to join the Company A reunions, resulting in
the entire 65th Signal Battalion companies reuniting annually;
and
WHEREAS, The stories told at these reunions were very sad;
veterans wept as they remembered how some of their comrades

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died in action; some were killed by snipers while perched atop
poles repairing or installing lines as the 65th Signal
Companies forged ahead into enemy lines to establish
communications for approaching friendly troops; and
WHEREAS, These surviving veterans felt that the great bond
forged among them was due to their dependence on each other to
stay alive; and
WHEREAS, All were devoted to their country, but, on an
individual basis, would do anything for each other; the trust
and loyalty shared among them is unmatched, as is their respect
for each other; and
WHEREAS, In the late 1980s, the original organizers of the
reunions of the 65th Battalion Companies passed away, leaving
Edward T. Meyers, Sr. as the reunion's main organizer; in this
role, he would send notices to the newsletter, visit the city
chosen for the next reunion, review proposed contracts from
several hotels, and complete the agreement that would meet the
reunion's needs; he helped arrange the events to be held,
collect fees for the dinner, and help arrange the reunion's
video presentations, speakers, and entertainment; and
WHEREAS, Edward T. Meyers, Sr. has been attending and
organizing reunions of the 65th Signal Companies for 39 years;

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next year's reunion will mark his 40th year; and
WHEREAS, Edward T. Meyers, Sr. still lives independently at
his home in Joliet; he has always kept his wife, Virginia, who
passed away in 1990, in his heart; he still enjoys spending
time with his granddaughter, Kim, and his great-grandchildren,
Keara and Kayla; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
congratulate Edward T. Meyers, Sr. on the occasion of his 90th
birthday and salute his 39 years of service and loyal work in
organizing reunions for the 65th Signal Battalion; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to Edward Meyers, Sr. as a symbol of our esteem and
respect.