The Illinois House of Representatives this week honored United States Army National Guard Specialist Christopher Alexander Patterson of North Aurora who gave his life for our country in January. His family was present in the House Gallery as a resolution was presented and unanimously adopted honoring his life, his service and his sacrifice.

House Resolution 931

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of United States Army National Guard Specialist Christopher Alexander Patterson of North Aurora, who gave his life defending America’s freedom on January 6, 2012, in the Shah Wali Kot District in Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, SPC Christopher Patterson was born on April 17, 1991, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; he was the son of Mary and Robert Patterson; and

WHEREAS, SPC Christopher Patterson graduated from WestAurora High School in June of 2009, where he participated in a variety of musical groups, including the STUDy Hall Choir and the premier A Capella Choir; he also played the trombone in the West Aurora High School bands and enjoyed playing on the West High Chess Team; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from West Aurora High School, SPC Christopher Patterson enlisted in the Indiana Army National Guard in the summer of 2009; he later joined the ROTC at Valparaiso University to become a leader for tomorrow’s Army;
and

WHEREAS, SPC Christopher Patterson attended Valparaiso University to study music education and was a member of the University Chorale; upon graduation, he hoped to share his love of music and become a vocal music teacher; and

WHEREAS, Not only was SPC Christopher Patterson a soldier, he was a man of faith; he was raised in the Lutheran faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Batavia; he always stood by his convictions and his family heard from at least 3 people that he brought them back to their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; he did this by sharing Bible verses with them that he felt could help them with problems they had in their lives; and

WHEREAS, SPC Christopher Patterson was the recipient of numerous awards, including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Medal, the NATO Medal, and the Combat Action Badge; and

WHEREAS, SPC Christopher Patterson dedicated his life to defending America’s freedom and made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his nation; he will be dearly missed by his mother, Carl, Sean, and Thomas; his grandparents, Mike and Sally Patterson and Jim and Claire Schneider; his fellow soldiers; the members of the West Aurora High School, Valparaiso University, and Immanuel Lutheran Church communities; and the citizens of a grateful nation; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family, friends, and the members of a grateful nation, the passing of United States Army National Guard Specialist Christopher Alexander Patterson; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of SPC Christopher Patterson as a symbol of our sympathy.