Lake County Gazette

Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Lincolnshire) recently shared a Twitter post and photos of the dedication of the Grayslake Post Office, which was done in honor of Army Specialist Joseph Dimock II, who died while serving in Afghanistan in 2010.

"We dedicated the Grayslake Post Office in honor of Army Specialist Joseph ‘Joey’ W. Dimock II, who lost his life serving in Afghanistan 13 years ago today," Schneider wrote on July 10. "In the words of his commanding officer, 'Ranger Dimock represented everything that was right with America.'”

According to the Military Times, Dimock was killed on July 10, 2010, from a non-combat related incident when an explosion occurred in an ammunition holding facility during an inventory. Dimock, who was only 21, "didn't need to have a crazy time to have fun, friends said, but enjoyed simple pleasures such as his yellow car, eating crab legs on the beach and competing with his swim team," the report stated.

"He lived a short life, but boy did he live it,” Dimock's brother, Louis told the Associated Press.

"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," Schneider said in a release on his website. "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.

"Joey was an incredibly talented individual who was also known for always lending a hand to help out people," Schneider said, "through annual summer high school mission trips, he compassionately worked to help others."

Schneider honored the fallen Army Ranger at the dedication, saying "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," he said. "Naming this post office for Joey will help our community keep his memory alive, and ensure his is an example for generations to come."