SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Illinois National Guard continues to reach out to returning veterans with the "Tying the Yellow Ribbon” campaign, which also focuses on families of deployed Soldiers.
The Illinois Army National Guard will conduct a series of 10 Reintegration Family Academies from Feb. 28 through May 23.
Although the academy is open to any family that has a deployed Soldier in any branch of the military, the focus of these 10 events is to reach out to families of Soldiers in the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Nearly 3,000 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers are deployed to Afghanistan to assist in training and mentoring the Afghan National Police.
The intent of the academy is to ensure families receive information and know the resources available to them while their Soldier is deployed.
Representatives from several different agencies will be available for family members. Some agencies attending include TRICARE (medical and dental insurance), Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Internal Revenue Service and Veteran’s Health Administration.
There will also be several workshops for families to attend providing guidance and information on issues like marriage after deployment, finances, challenges Soldiers face reuniting with their children and using college education benefits.
Counselors will also be available for private consultations.
"Reintegration is not just a program for Soldiers after a deployment, it’s something his or her entire family must also undergo as everyone readjusts to changes that have happened during the course of the Soldier’s deployment,” said 2nd Lt. Justin Anweiler, reintegration program coordinator. "This is one way the Illinois National Guard is trying to help families of our deployed men and women who are sometimes fighting their own battles at home while their Soldier is fighting a war overseas.”
The Illinois National Guard Family Academy is free and open to anyone in the public who has been affected by a deployment, but its focus is on the families of Soldiers currently overseas.
Illinois National Guard Family Academies
- Feb. 28, 2009 Lakeland Community College-Mattoon 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Feb. 28, 2009 Daley College-Chicago 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- March 14, 2009 Blackhawk College-Moline 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- March 14, 2009 John A. Logan Community College-Carterville 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- March 21, 2009 Lincoln Land Community College-Springfield 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- April 4, 2009 Highland Community College-Freeport 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- April 4, 2009 John A. Logan Community College-Carterville 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- April 18, 2009 Lakeland Community College-Mattoon 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- May 2, 2009 Highland Community College-Freeport 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- May 23, 2009 Joliet Junior College-Joliet 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.