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Illinois Army Guard’s Top Recruiter Pays it Forward
January 3, 2025
Brig. Gen. Lenny Williams, the assistant adjutant general - Army of the Illinois National Guard and the commander of the Illinois Army National Guard, State Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Kelly, and State Command Chief Warrant Officer CW5 Thomas Black present Staff Sgt. Francisco Orozco with an award at the Illinois Army National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion's annual awards banquet Nov.16, 2024, in Peoria. Orozco was the Illinois Army National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Noncommissioned Officer of the Year with 35 enlistments.

World War II POW Guardsman Returned Home for Burial
October 2, 2024
A military and funeral honors team loads the flag-draped coffin containing the remains of Illinois Army National Guard Pfc. Harry Jerele into a hearse at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago Oct. 1, 2024. Jerele was a World War II prisoner of war who died in captivity in 1943.

Young Cancer Patient Made Honorary 1st Sergeant in Illinois Guard
June 11, 2024
Jamir Gibbs,7, of Marion, Illinois, shows off the football jersey he received with 1st Sgt. Beau Detrick of November Company, Recruit Sustainment Program, Illinois Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Command. Jamir was promoted to "Honorary First Sergeant" June 8, 2024, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Marion Readiness Center in honor of his courageous fight against cancer.

Illinois Guard's ChalleNGe Academy Graduates 16,000th Cadet
June 12, 2023
Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy graduate Nickolas McCauley delivers the class summary during graduation ceremonies June 10, 2023, in Springfield, Ill. The Illinois National Guard program  July 1993 on the former Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, has helped 16,000 struggling young men and women find a path to success.

Illinois Guard Helps Make Sick Child’s Wish a Reality
December 19, 2022
Maj. Christopher Hanson, left, the operations officer of the 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, and Capt. Jacob Brue, the battalion's training officer, carry flowers for June Peden-Stade along her parade route in Auburn, Illinois, Dec. 17, 2022. The Illinois National Guard joined hundreds of first responders and community groups from across the region to give 3-year-old June a parade.

Post Office to be Named After Fallen Illinois National Guardsman
June 21, 2022
Illinois Army National Guard Spc. Jeremy Ridlen of Paris, Illinois, was among approximately 170 Soldiers who deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in December 2003 with the 1544th Transportation Company. He was just 23 years old when he died from small-arms fire May 23, 2004.

Illinois Guardsman helps fellow vets battle suicide with song
March 15, 2022
Illinois Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class David Allen Stone performed his song "Bury These Burdens" at Gap Bar & Grill in Herod, Illinois, Sept. 4, 2021. The song has an important message for anyone contemplating suicide.

ChalleNGe Academy initiative gives cadets job skills
October 28, 2021
Lincoln’s ChalleNGe Academy cadets work together during a GAF Roofing Academy class to learn basic roofing skills in Rantoul, Illinois. The Academy is administered by the Illinois National Guard.

From Afghan interpreter to service in the National Guard
August 25, 2021
2nd Lt. Fahim Masoud, center, briefs Maj. Gen. Rich Neely, left, the adjutant general of Illinois and commander of the Illinois National Guard, and Command Sgt. Maj. Dena Ballowe, senior enlisted leader of the Illinois National Guard, during a visit to a COVID-19 mass vaccination site in Chicago Feb. 1, 2021.

Illinois Soldier joins 38th ID from aligned-for-training unit
June 8, 2021
Maj. Andrew Salmo of Herrin, Illinois, the 38th Infantry Division plans officer, at the division's tactical operations center at Camp Atterbury near Edinburgh, Indiana, June 5, 2021. As part of the Army National Guard's aligned-for-training program, Salmo jumped at the opportunity to work at a division level.