Stretch of Route 137 honors fallen soldier

SPRINGFIELD – In May 2021, the Illinois House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution offered by state Rep. Chris Bos, R-Lake Zurich, to honor the memory of fallen U.S. Army Spec. Wesley R. Wells by renaming a portion of Illinois Route 137.

Wells, a lifelong Libertyville resident, gave his life in 2004 while fighting insurgents in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. The signage along Route 137 to complete the designation recently was erected.

When the resolution passed the House, Bos said, “Specialist Wells felt the call to service after the 9/11 terror attacks. He subsequently joined the U.S. Army to make a career out of protecting his country. He paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation in 2004 while fighting insurgents in eastern Afghanistan. While designating a portion of Route 137 in his memory is a small act by comparison, it is the least we can do to honor his sacrifice.”

Wells was born in Libertyville on Oct. 24, 1982. He was a lifelong resident and attended Libertyville High School. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. In April 2004, he was deployed to Afghanistan to conduct combat operations with the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment. On Sept. 20, 2004, Wells was killed in action in Paktika, Afghanistan.

For his service, Wells was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army Service Ribbons, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

As part of the Heroes Way Designation Program, the resolution originally designated the portion of Illinois Route 137 from Illinois Route 21 to Butterfield Road in Libertyville to honor Wells’ memory. After further consultation with the family, the state extended the designation area east to O’Plaine Road, which now includes Ascension Cemetery, where Wells is laid to rest.

Joan Neal, Wells’ mother, said, “My family and I offer our sincere and heartfelt appreciation to Rep. Bos and Marshall Metcalf of the Illinois Department of Transportation for honoring Wesley’s service to our country.”

To view the video of Bos presenting the resolution honoring Wells on the House floor, visit RepBos.com.