State representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) and fellow chief co-sponsors, representatives Keith Wheeler, Barbara Hernandez, Maura Hirschauer, and Mark Batinick, and all other members of the Illinois House passed House Joint Resolution 79 to honor the memory of U.S. Navy veteran Herschel Luckinbill by designating a section of U.S. Route 30 as “Herschel Luckinbill Road.” Mr. Luckinbill died July 28, 2021.
“Herschel was a special man in so many ways,” said Kifowit. “He distinguished himself with his service in Vietnam while in the United States Navy, and after his military service he continued a life of service to veterans and other members of the community staying active as a volunteer and a leader for so many.”
As the result of the House Resolution, Route 30 in Kendall County from Douglas Road to River Road will be named for Mr. Luckinbill.
Mr. Luckinbill served two tours of duty on the shores of Vietnam during the war aboard the USS O’Brien, a destroyer based in California.
His passion for helping fellow veterans was legendary. Mr. Luckinbill served 25 times as a guardian to veterans for Honor Flight Chicago, which flies veterans to Washington D.C. to see the memorials built in tribute to the service of our WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans. In addition, he was active in bringing the Vietnam Moving Wall to Aurora and Oswego and the Middle East Conflict Wall to Oswego, as further examples of his dedication to community.
In 2008 he took on the leadership of the Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club, whose purpose was to motivate more than 65 veterans to meet every other week for breakfast to stay active and engaged in the community. Mr. Luckinbill was active in many youth sports and other organizations.
“The whole community was saddened to hear the news of Herschel passing away in July 2021,” said Kifowit. “This is a befitting reminder to all of the dedication he had to our veterans and the entire community.”
—State representative Stephanie Kifowit