Honoring Army Ranger Joseph ‘Joey’ Dimock II
On July 10th, 2023, the Grayslake Post Office was renamed in honor of Army Specialist Joseph ‘Joey’ W. Dimock II, who lost his life serving in Afghanistan in 2010. Below are remarks shared by Congressman Brad Schneider at the dedication ceremony:
"Before saying anything more, I want to extend a special thank you to the Post Office personnel who have made today happen, and also to the Post Office personnel who do the work every day to deliver America’s mail.
"I also want to thank the servicemen and women here today with American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Rolling Thunder for their service to our nation and for joining us today.
"We are also joined by Pastor Erik Holm of Wildwood Presbyterian Church, and members of his congregation.
"Thank you to the members of the Grayslake Fire Department and Boy Scout Troop 672 for being here today.
"Most importantly, I want to again recognize and thank Joseph and Ellen Dimock for being here today, for their support throughout this process, and for their friendship.
"I think it’s been almost a decade since I first met the Dimock family.
"Over the years, I’ve been inspired by their, and especially Ellen’s, passion and dedication to carrying on her son’s legacy and helping local veterans in need.
"So it gives me great pride and satisfaction to be sharing this dedication with them today.
"Ellen and Joseph, we are here to honor and memorialize your son, but we also honor you…not just for your sacrifice, but for the extraordinary courage you display day in and day out in keeping Joey’s memory alive and ensuring that his life lived is a blessing for us all.
"Now I get to do some pretty cool things in Congress, including working to name, or rename, federal facilities.
"Passing postal naming legislation is no small undertaking. It requires that the entire Illinois delegation review and cosponsor the legislation.
"I reached across the aisle to bring together every Illinois representative.
"Once the bill passed the House, I then worked with Senators Durbin and Duckworth to get the legislation included in a larger package in the Senate.
"Finally, President Biden signed the bill into law on December 29 of last year.
"Today marks the 13th anniversary of the day when Army Specialist Joey Dimock made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our great nation supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
"Joey's story is not just one of sacrifice and a life lost far too young, but an account of what it means to live and serve with honor and distinction.
"In the presence of Joey's parents, Joseph and Ellen, and the rest of his beloved family, friends, congregation, and community, we remember Joey as a son, brother, friend, teammate, Eagle Scout, and US Army Ranger who wholly embodied the values of courage, selflessness, and service, and who this community knew and loved.
"As we have heard, Joey was born in Libertyville on May 25th, 1989. He and his brothers, Louis and Michael, grew in Wildwood.
"He was a dedicated member of the Wildwood Presbyterian Church and faithfully attended Sunday School, worship, and the middle-school and high-school youth fellowship groups.
"Through annual summer high school mission trips, he compassionately worked to help others.
"Joey loved the outdoors and was an active member of Cub Scout Pack, Venture Crew, and Boy Scout Troop 672 where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
"For his Eagle Scout project, Joey collected nearly 200 worn American flags so they could be honorably retired in a special ceremony.
"Joey attended Warren Township High School where he and his fellow teammates on the Warren Blue Devils swim team set a junior varsity record for the 400-yard freestyle relay.
"He shared his love and gift for swimming by teaching swimming for many years through the Wildwood Park District.
"During the spring of his senior year, Joey enlisted in the Army, completing his basic training at Fort Benning and serving in the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.
"Joey served three deployments overseas, one in Iraq, and two in Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
"SPC Dimock received several awards through his years of service to our country, including the Bronze Star Medal and Army Commendation Medal.
"In the words of his commander, Lt. Col. Mike Foster, “Ranger Dimock represented everything right with America. He was an incredibly talented young man, who volunteered to serve his nation in a time of war and ultimately gave his life in support of her cause.”
"We can’t bring Joey back to life. But we can keep his memory alive by honoring his life, remembering his goodness, and letting his example inform who we, the living, conduct ourselves.
"Joey is a role model to all who knew him, and I hope that, with this memorialization of Joey's life, his service and bravery may serve as a model for all of Grayslake and that his memory will, indeed, always be a blessing.
"Naming this post office for Joey will help our community keep his memory alive, and ensure his is an example for generations to come.
"Thank you.
"And it is now my pleasure to invite Jewel Morrow, USPS District Manager, to speak."