Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) | Photo Courtesy of Mark Batinick's website
Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) | Photo Courtesy of Mark Batinick's website
State Rep. Mark Batinick's (R-Plainfield) efforts to rename a section of Illinois Route 59 after a local fallen soldier has paid off.
Batinick has been working to make the memorial highway for Pfc. Andrew Meari since March. Earlier in May, the joint resolution to make it official cleared the house.
"It’s extremely difficult and daunting to do a resolution for someone that grew up down the street from where you live and played at the same park as some of your kids," said Batinick, who is a veteran. "But that’s what I’m trying to do right now to honor Pfc. Andrew Meari."
Meari served in Afghanistan as a member of the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). He was returning to camp from active patrol Nov. 1, 2010, near Combat Outpost Senjeray when a suicide bomber on a motorcycle approached the patrol.
"[Meari] stepped in front, absorbing the blast and paid the ultimate sacrifice," Batinick said. "What the House joint resolution does is designate Illinois Route 59 from Kane Farm Road to Route 126 as Pfc. Andrew Meari Memorial Highway."
One other member of Meari's squad also died that day.
Batinick also told Meari's story to the House in March when he reminded his colleagues of the price Meari paid for his squad members.
“The story is quite amazing, but what’s amazing to me is he grew up in the same subdivision as I live with my children, and they played in the same park," Batinick said. "Just a wonderful man who gave his life for the country, and I think we realize how special that is after this last year.”
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