Pictured, L-R: Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher Donaldson, Sargent Timothy Sayne
Effingham, IL-(Effingham Radio)- State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) and State Representative Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) passed Senate Joint Resolution 61 and Senate Joint Resolution 62 to name two overpasses in Effingham in honor of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher B. Donaldson and Sargent Timothy D. Sayne for their service and sacrifice to the nation. Both Resolutions were passed today in the Illinois House of Representatives and now become law.
The Donaldson Family experiences the ceremony from the Speaker’s Gallery on Tuesday.
Senate Joint Resolution 61 designates the Fourth Street Interstate 57/70 Overpass in Effingham as the “Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher Donaldson Memorial Overpass”. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Donaldson was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), at Fort Drum New York. He died May 5, 2006 when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was traveling in crashed during combat operations east of Abad, Afghanistan. Donaldson was born in Effingham on May 17, 1977, and graduated from Effingham High School in 1995.
“Chief Warrant Officer 2 Donaldson’s family was at the Capitol this week to share in this honor for their son and family member,” said Wilhour. “It was twenty years ago this month that CWO2 Christopher Donaldson made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and our freedoms. This is recognition is a fitting tribute to his service and sacrifice.”
The Sayne Family watches the proceedings in the Speaker’s Gallery in the House of Representatives on Thursday.
Senate Joint Resolution 62 designates the Fayette Avenue Interstate 57/70 overpass in Effingham as the “Sgt. Timothy Sayne Memorial Overpass.” Sergeant Timothy D. Sayne was stationed at Fort Wainwright in Alaska. A graduate of Effingham High School, Sgt. Sayne was assigned to B Troop, 5-1 Cavalry, 1/25 Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), 25th Infantry Division. He was killed in action in Afghanistan on Sept. 18, 2011.
“The family and friends of Sgt. Timothy Sayne will have something tangible to remember him by as the years pass, while the enduring love and fond memories remain,” commented Adam Niemerg. “Our community has always respected the men and women who wear the uniform in defense of our great nation. I am proud to carry this legislation in the Illinois General Assembly.”
Reps. Niemerg and Wilhour are appreciative of the Donaldson and Sayne families and Libby Moeller for their help and seeing these resolutions through.
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