What:

Dedication ceremony renaming the Maroa Post Office to the Army National Guard Specialist Jeremy Ridlen Post Office

When:

Tuesday, October 25, 2022 – 10:00 a.m.

Where:

Maroa Post Office
200 East Main Street
Maroa, IL 61756

Who:

Master of Ceremonies - Mark Wilson Manager Post Office Operations
United States Postal Service

Posting of Colors - 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion
 Illinois Army National Guard

National Anthem -Dathan Lidy, Maroa-Forsyth High School

Invocation-Reverend Scott Marsh, Maroa Christian Church

Speakers-
The Honorable Rodney Davis
U.S. House of Representatives, Illinois 13th District

Sgt. 1st Class Phillip Tuttle, Convoy Commander
Illinois Army National Guard

Brig. Gen. Rodney Boyd, Commander
Illinois Army National Guard

Bernice Joseph, Customer Relations Manager
United States Postal Service

Post Office Dedication
Congressman Rodney Davis
Bernice Joseph

Retiring of Colors - 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion
Illinois Army National Guard

Background:

On June 15, 2022, H.R. Bill 3579 to designate the Post Office building located at 200 East Main Street in Maroa, Illinois, as the “Jeremy Ridlen Post Office” was signed into law by President Joe Biden. This legislation was introduced in the United States House of Representatives by Representative Rodney Davis (IL-13).

Army National Guard Specialist Jeremy Ridlen was born raised in Maroa, Illinois, where he attended Maroa-Forsyth High School with his twin brother, Jason. Jeremy and Jason were inseparable. They were active in their church, played on its softball team, and were included in its weekly prayer list after they both deploy. The brothers went on to attend Illinois State University, and both signed up for the National Guard.

They were assigned to the 1544 Transportation Company, which was activated in 2003 and deployed to Fallujah, Iraq. Jeremy served as the postal clerk there.

Sadly, on May 23, 2004, Jeremy was killed in an ambush after a truck exploded next to his convoy.

Specialist Ridlen was an outstanding patriot who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Designating this post office in honor of Jeremy will serve as a testament to his bravery and a reminder of all those who laid down their life for the United States of America. 

Jeremy Ridlen died serving his country, and for that, he is a hero to all of us. He put his country above all else, and we thank him for his service.

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