State Representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego), chair of Veterans Affairs and USMC veteran, was honored to be host to Willard Fruits, a Korean War veteran and Newark resident, former resident of Montgomery, to deliver the invocation at the beginning of official business during a recent Spring session of the Illinois House of Representatives in Springfield. He was given a roaring round of applause from the members of the State House. Following his invocation, Mr. Fruits, 90, was invited to stay and be honored when the Illinois House conducted its annual memorial ceremony to honor fallen veterans.
Fruits began and ended his remarks with “Wow, I cannot believe I am here today.”
“I have lost many good friends in Korea and I’ll never forget them,” he recalled, then offered George Washington’s prayer as the invocation.
“It was an honor to host Mr. Fruits, an individual that I am proud to call a dear friend, to deliver the Invocation for the Illinois House of Representatives,” representative Kifowit said. ‘We honored the fallen service members that day, and Willard was on the front lines and saw a lot of sacrifice, and we honored him that day too,” said Kifowit. “Willard is a local and national treasure for his service in the Korean War. His thoughtful words, his recount of his experience in the Korean War, his genuine appreciation for Illinois and his infectious positivity showed the members of the IL House of Representatives true patriotism.”
U.S. Army Sergeant Fruits was a demolition expert and served on the USS Massey, a destroyer used for blockade and bombardment support. He also saw intense combat just south of the 38th Parallel on the Korean mainland. As for his length of service, “14 months, 21 days and 22 minutes,” said Fruits. When asked by his Captain how soon he could be ready to leave for home he added, “2 seconds!”
Major General Neely and Brigadier General Boyd of the Illinois National Guard were present to thank Mr. Fruits for his service before the annual Memorial Ceremony.
Representative Kifowit joined Senator Munoz in the Illinois General Assembly in passing Senate Joint Resolution 34 that urges Congress to authorize president Biden to present Congressional Gold Medals to Korean War Veterans in recognition of their service and sacrifice.
Representative Kifowit invited Willard Fruits to accompany her when the official copy of Senate Joint Resolution 34 was presented to Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) and U.S. Congressman Bill Foster (D-Illinois) with hopes of passage of legislation in the US Congress this calendar year.
Representative Kifowit would like to extend the invitation for members of the public who may be interested in participating in the Invocation on the Illinois House Floor during session days, to contact her district office if they live in the 84th District, or contact the Representative of their own district.
—Representative Stephanie Kifowit, MPA, USMC Veteran 90-94, IL House District 84