2009 Assembly Joint Resolution 116
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and military service of Lance Corporal Jacob Alexander Meinert.
Whereas, LCpl Jacob Alexander Meinert was born in Racine, Wisconsin, on June 24, 1989, to Brian Warzala and Krista Meinert Edquist, and was killed while on active duty in Afghanistan on January 10, 2010; and
Whereas, Jacob was an active participant at Fort Atkinson High School, participating in the concert and marching bands, jazz band, and pep band and played in the combo that accompanied Fort Atkinson's show choir. Jacob's lifelong dream was to become a United States Marine and live in Hawaii; and
Whereas, Jacob followed his dream by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 2007. Jacob graduated with Platoon 2167 from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, in October 2007, earning medals for good conduct and marksmanship; and
Whereas, Jacob received additional infantry training at Camp Pendleton and Twentynine Palms, California, in preparation for tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jacob was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; and
Whereas, Jacob served one tour of duty in Iraq from August 2008 to March 2009 with the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Bravo Company, 3rd Platoon as a radio operator charged with maintaining communications where he gained the admiration and respect of his fellow marines; and
Whereas, in November 2009 Jacob's battalion was ordered to Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations with the Afghan National Security Forces, providing security for the Afghan people and promoting development in the region. Again Jacob was chosen as the radio operator for his platoon because of his knowledge and professionalism; and
Whereas, on January 10, 2010, while on foot patrol as a fire team leader with his platoon, conducting a combat operation in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, Jacob was fatally injured by an improvised explosive device; and
Whereas, LCpl Jacob Meinert was awarded the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Hawaii Medal of Honor. Jacob earned the love and respect of all who served with him; and
Whereas, Jacob is survived by his mother, Krista Meinert Edquist, his father, Brian Warzala; his sister, Randi Meinert; his brother, Larson Edquist; his step-brother, Mitchell Edquist; and the family dog, Bosco. He is also survived and loved by many other relatives and friends; and
Whereas, Jacob was laid to rest in Fort Atkinson with full military honors on Wednesday, January 20, 2010; and
Whereas, Jacob courageously served the people and the state of Wisconsin and the United States of America and made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our way of life, while advancing the blessings of liberty and democracy to the Afghani people; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the
assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin state legislature hereby commend LCpl Jacob Alexander Meinert for his exemplary life, express their sorrow at his death, and extend deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall transmit a copy of this joint resolution to Brian Warzala and Krista Meinert Edquist.
