IL SR0975

Memorializes Sergeant First Class Ronald A. "Aaron" Grider of Brighton, Illinois, who was killed in action on September 18, 2010, in Kunduz province, Afghanistan.

Grider was born September 18, 1980, graduated from Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto in 1998, and was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, United States Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Served with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment and 75th Ranger Regiment, deploying once to Afghanistan and three times to Iraq before joining Special Operations Command in November 2005, where he deployed four additional times to Iraq and once to Afghanistan.

Posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal (third), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device, and numerous campaign and service medals including Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Bronze Service Stars and Iraq Campaign Medal with six Bronze Service Stars.

Survived by parents Ronald and Ginny Grider and Rita Grider, sister Sherry, wife Brittany, daughter Katie-Anne, and aunt Debbie Thompson; a copy of the resolution is to be presented to his family.