Press Release - Saturday, April 29, 2006
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QUINN PAYS TRIBUTE TO FALLEN GREEN BERET, STAFF SGT. GARY RAY HARPER, JR. Sgt. Harper was Virden's first fatality from the Global War on Terror
VIRDEN—Today, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn paid tribute to fallen Virden Green Beret, Staff Sgt. Gary Ray Harper, Jr. at the bench dedication ceremony held in his honor. Engraved with Sgt. Harper's name, the bench is located in Virden's city park as a lasting memorial to its first fatality from the Global War on Terror.
Quinn was joined by Sgt. Harper's mother, Linda Mae Morrison and his stepfather Joe. Linda Mae Morrison worked with Lt. Governor Quinn's office to pass the Let Them Rest in Peace Act after her son's memorial service was disrupted by a Kansas hate group that subjected mourners to a barrage of hateful epithets.
The Let Them Rest in Peace Act - legislation to prohibit vile and disruptive protests at funerals - was unanimously passed by the Illinois General Assembly earlier this week.
A 1994 graduate of Virden High School, Sgt. Harper enlisted in the National Guard in 1993. In 2004, after a rigorous two-year training program, Sgt. Harper was selected to join the Green Berets - the elite Army unit sent into some of the world's most dangerous conflicts. Sgt. Harper was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Sgt. Harper died October 9, 2005 when his reconnaissance mission was attacked by Islamic insurgents in Baghdad, Iraq. He was 29 years old.
Sgt. Harper is survived by his widow, Danielle and their three children - daughter Madison and sons Tristen and Gabrian.
During his military career, Sgt. Harper received numerous awards and medals. In honor of his admirable service, Sgt. Harper was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.
Quinn was also joined by Virden Mayor Don Neighbors, who was Sgt. Harper's Boy Scout leader. Members of Boy Scout Troop 61 and the Virden American Legion Post 386 were also in attendance.
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