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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Kassidy L. Snyder, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ </SPAN></B><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">(Left to right)<B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"> </B>Sgt. John Meyer of Springfield, with Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield pins his brother, 2nd Lt. Joshua Meyer of Springfield, with the 44th Chemical Battalion in Macomb, along with his brother Spc. Michael Meyer of Springfield, with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in Litchfield during the winter accelerated Officer Candidate School graduation ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy March 25 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Kassidy L. Snyder, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ (Left to right) Sgt. John Meyer of Springfield, with Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield pins his brother, 2nd Lt. Joshua Meyer of Springfield, with the 44th Chemical Battalion in Macomb, along with his brother Spc. Michael Meyer of Springfield, with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in Litchfield during the winter accelerated Officer Candidate School graduation ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy March 25 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

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Honoring Our Fallen

<p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>SPRINGFIELD – Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Sheahan of St. Louis received a Meritorious Service Medal from Brig. Gen. Johnny Miller of Tamms, Illinois National Guard Assistant Adjutant General-Army, at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, May 5. Sheahan is retiring from the Illinois National Guard as the service maintenance noncommissioned officer in charge of the surface maintenance office at Camp Lincoln. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Sheahan enlisted May 8, 1980 in the active duty Army and served three years before transferring to the Illinois National Guard in September 1983. He deployed to Iraq as the operations sergeant major from 2005 to 2006. </font></p></font></p>

St. Louis Soldier Retires From Illinois National Guard
SPRINGFIELD – Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Sheahan of St. Louis received a Meritorious Service Medal from Brig. Gen. Johnny Miller of Tamms, Illinois National Guard Assistant Adjutant General-Army, at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, May 5. Sheahan is retiring from the Illinois National Guard as the service maintenance noncommissioned officer in charge of the surface maintenance office at Camp Lincoln.

<p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>Story by Staff Sgt. Jaime Witt, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
SPRINGFIELD, ILL. – As summer approaches and temperatures rise, more than 350,000 registered motorcycles in Illinois will emerge from their garages. The Office of Safety and Occupational Health would like to remind the motorcyclists of the Illinois Army National Guard of safety expectations and requirements. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Maj. Jayson Coble of Springfield, Ill., the safety and occupational health manager for the Illinois Army National Guard, said motorcycle safety is important because motorcycling is inherently more dangerous. According to the Division of Traffic Safety, there were 145 motorcyclist fatalities in 2011, an increase from the previous year. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“You’re riding on two wheels instead of four,” said Coble. “An experienced rider once told me that when you’re on a motorcycle you’ve always got to watch out for everyone else around you, because they’re not watching out for you.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Soldiers are reminded there are specific requirements for riding a motorcycle when on duty, which includes travel to and from training, as well as riding on any military installation. In order to ride, Soldiers must have the “M” designator on their Illinois driver’s license and must have completed the Basic Rider Course within the last three years. Coble said the 15-hour course is offered free of cost at many sites throughout the state from February through October every year. A refundable $20 deposit is required to hold a seat, and the course provides a helmet and motorcycle for student use. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“The course teaches a person who has never ridden a motorcycle before, by the end of the weekend, to ride by themselves confidently,” Coble said.
Sgt. 1st Class Michael Ladd of Seymour, Ill., a driving instructor with the 129th Regimental Training Institute out of Springfield, Ill., has been an avid rider since graduating high school and said the Basic Rider Course is essential. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“I am a Motorcycle Safety Foundation-trained rider from the beginning,” Ladd said. “I asked my father to teach me how to ride his bike. He told me when I turned 18, I could take a class from the state. I enrolled in the class after graduation and have been riding ever since.”
Coble stated even experienced riders benefit from taking the basic rider course. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“The course teaches you things you may not have thought of before,” Coble said. “Instructors talk about bad habits people get into after they’ve ridden for a while, and things certainly change over the course of time. After you’ve been riding for a long time, you can become complacent and complacency kills.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
In addition to the course and licensure requirement, Soldiers must wear a helmet, eye protection, full-length pants, jacket, gloves and reflective gear. Coble said appropriate personal protective equipment is not only required, but will help save you in the case of an accident. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“I think the most important thing is a helmet,” Coble said. “You have only one head, and that’s probably the most vulnerable part of your body to injury and head injuries are the hardest to recover from if you survive.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Ladd echoed this sentiment. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“Buy a helmet that you’ll wear,” Ladd said. “It is the most important thing I’ve picked up as I became a more seasoned rider. I wouldn’t wear a helmet if it was uncomfortable.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Ladd also said proper maintenance is another important part of safety, as well as riding alert. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“If there is any one thing to point out, don’t ride when you’re impaired,” Ladd said. “If you make a mistake, there is no forgiveness.” </font></p></font></p>

May Marks Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
SPRINGFIELD, ILL. – As summer approaches and temperatures rise, more than 350,000 registered motorcycles in Illinois will emerge from their garages. The Office of Safety and Occupational Health would like to remind the motorcyclists of the Illinois Army National Guard of safety expectations and requirements.

U.S. Army photo by Illinois National Guard Capt. Dutch Grove / Min Soo Kin, of Carol Stream, Ill., is sworn into the Illinois Army National Guard as a second lieutenant by Col. David Nelson, the Illinois National Guard Senior Army Advisor, May 8 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield. Kin is dental student at Midwestern University and will become an Illinois National Guard dentist when he graduates in 2015. </font></p>

Carol Stream Dental Student Sworn Into Illinois Army National Guard
SRINGFIELD, Ill. - Min Soo Kin, of Carol Stream, Ill., is sworn into the Illinois Army National Guard as a second lieutenant by Col. David Nelson, the Illinois National Guard Senior Army Advisor, May 8 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

<p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>Story by Sgt. Jesse Houk, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
ROCHESTER, Ill. – The bond between a mother and her children is one of the most foundational, yet significant relationships between human beings. This connection is so profound that not even time and distance can separate a mother’s love and devotion for her children. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Sgt. 1st Class Sarah J. Campbell, of Rochester, Ill., operations noncommissioned officer (NCO) of the 633rd Theater Gateway Personnel Accountability Team in Springfield, experienced this first hand when she was separated from her two children, Austin and Kiana, 10 and four respectively, while deployed to Kuwait with her unit from June 2012 to March 2013. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“I tried calling them every chance I got,” said Campbell. “It was hard sometimes, hearing them continuing on with their day-to-day life and telling me their stories and what they did that day.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Campbell, nearly half the world away, relied on phone conversations and video conferencing to stay connected with her children. Campbell worked the night shift and was able to make calls on her breaks while it was daytime back home. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Campbell said she tried her best to be there for her children and admits she missed out on some things during her nine-month deployment. The most obvious to her were the physical and academic growth of her children. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
The deployment was not only challenging for Campbell, but also her children. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“I really missed her,” said Austin. “But I think it’s cool that she’s in the Army because she gets to shoot bazookas.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Although being away was difficult, the deployment to Kuwait provided Campbell time to reevaluate her priorities. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“I got to reflect a lot about my life,” said Campbell. “A lot of my reflection had to do with my children. Sometimes life overwhelms you or kind of throws you off track and my deployment really helped me reflect on who I want to be as a person, a mother and Soldier.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
It’s difficult to balance the commitments of being a mother and Soldier, but Campbell has found a way to mesh the two. Her motherly instincts compelled her unit to give her the nickname of “mother hen” for the way she took charge during training. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“It is difficult juggling National Guard obligations with the responsibility of being a mother, but I feel they do compliment each other at times,” said Campbell. “I think being a mother helps me in my role as operations NCO because it’s all about taking care of people.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Campbell discovered a lot about herself while on deployment. That time was vital in defining her priorities. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“I would do anything for my children and for the military,” said Campbell. “My children will always come first no matter what.” </font></p></font></p>

Mother Returns From Deployment In Time For Mother’s Day
ROCHESTER, Ill. – The bond between a mother and her children is one of the most foundational, yet significant relationships between human beings. This connection is so profound that not even time and distance can separate a mother’s love and devotion for her children.

<p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>MOUNT VERNON, Ill. – Local employers and Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce businesses gathered at the Mount Vernon Readiness Center May 9 for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Breakfast with the Boss event. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
During the breakfast, attendees listened to presentations by ESGR representatives as well as the battalion and company commanders from the two Illinois Army National Guard units that drill in that armory: Company D, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment and Company F, 634th Brigade Support Battalion. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
All the commanders thanked the community members for their support and encouraged employers to communicate with commanders on issues or concerns about training or additional requirements expected of their Soldiers. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“If you have one take-away from today, it should be a phone number,” said Lt. Col. Charles Kitson of Springfield, 634th Brigade Support Battalion commander. “You can call us at any time.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Along with breakfast and presentations, military equipment was also on display for attendees to explore. </font></p></font></p>

Esgr Hosts Breakfast With The Boss In Mount Vernon
MOUNT VERNON, Ill. – Local employers and Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce businesses gathered at the Mount Vernon Readiness Center May 9 for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Breakfast with the Boss event.

<p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today honored the 290th birthday of the Illinois National Guard, saluting its members who embody the democratic ideal of the citizen soldier. The governor also thanked the families and employers who sacrifice so they can serve. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“For 290 years, sons and daughters from Illinois have answered the call of duty, both on the homefront and in battle zones far away,” Governor Quinn said. “We have a duty to honor the thousands of Illinois National Guard servicemembers have made the ultimate sacrifice, including 34 killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today and every day, they are in our thoughts and prayers.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
The Illinois National Guard has dual missions. The state mission, under the governor’s command, is to respond to domestic emergencies in Illinois or elsewhere through cooperative agreements between states. The federal mission is to go into combat or respond to federal emergencies at the direction of the President of the United States. There are 13,000 Illinois National Guard soldiers and airmen serving at more than 50 armories, bases and training facilities across Illinois. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
The birth date of the Illinois National Guard - May 9, 1723 - was determined last year after months of research by Illinois National Guard Command Historian Adriana Schroeder of Springfield. The diary of a French territorial captain, Diron Dartaguiette, was the primary source for the date. In the diary, Dartaguiette said he called together the village of Kaskaskia because he was ordered to form a company of military to defend themselves. The date the armed villagers first gathered and drilled was May 9, 1723. “When I found the diary entry, I knew I struck gold,” Schroeder said. “It was the gem I had been waiting for.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“Our first muster gives us a reference point to truly understand the rich history of this organization, which we can share with our communities and our families,” Brig. Gen. Daniel Krumrei, Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard said.
In addition to serving in every major United States conflict, the Illinois National Guard has conducted peacekeeping missions around the globe, including in Egypt and the Ukraine. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
At the direction of the governor, Illinois National Guard members have responded to countless domestic crises in Illinois and across the nation. Since 2009, Illinois National Guard members have responded to three floods, a historic blizzard and the NATO Summit in Chicago. The Illinois National Guard has assisted other states with Hurricanes Katrina and Irene, Superstorm Sandy, the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and security along the U.S. border. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
The Guard has served in such diverse roles as providing security during Pope John Paul II’s 1979 visit and the Chicago Bulls 1996 Championship riots, aiding victims of the 1871 Chicago Fire and 1958 Our Lady of Angels School fire, and conducting narcotics detection in the Shawnee National Forest in the 1980s. </font></p>

Governor Quinn Honors 290th Birthday Of The Illinois National Guard
SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today honored the 290th birthday of the Illinois National Guard, saluting its members who embody the democratic ideal of the citizen soldier. The governor also thanked the families and employers who sacrifice so they can serve.

<p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>NORTH RIVERSIDE – Approximately 20 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers who served in Sinai, Egypt as part of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) will return home this week. The 708th Medical Company based in North Riverside will have their homecoming ceremony at 1 p.m. May 8. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the North Riverside National Guard Armory, 8660 W. Cermak Road. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
This is the second half of a 45-man team that mobilized in July 2012 and deployed to Sinai, Egypt after training for a brief time at Camp Atterbury, Ind. The rest of the unit returned home April 29. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
The 708th was split into two teams, running operations out of two separate camps approximately 250 miles apart on the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt and surrounding areas in Egypt and Israel. The unit provided a full-range of medical, dental, physical therapy and preventative medicine services to more than 2,500 personnel from 14 countries who are part of the MFO. Within the medical clinics, 708th Soldiers worked with providers from the United States, Fiji, Columbia, Uruguay, Hungary and Italy. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
708th personnel responded to four mass casualty incidents in a three-month period where they were required to provide expedient, quality care to the patients brought in for treatment. Overall, 40 patients were treated during those four incidents. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
The unit also assisted in ensuring food-borne illnesses and the spread of diseases did not affect personnel in the area after a water shortage in October. When water returned to the region, water in the new wells was sampled to ensure the water was safe for consumption. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Because of their outstanding support, the 708th personnel and their medical clinics were nominated for the Army Superior Unit Award. Soldiers in the unit also received awards and coins from several general officers including Gen. Raymond Odierno, Chief of Staff for the Army. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
The MFO is an international peacekeeping force that oversees the terms of the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. For three decades the MFO has carried out its mission and has proven successful. The desire of peace on the part of both Israel and Egypt, combined with the effectiveness of the MFO, has resulted in a durable and lasting state of peace between the two nations. </font></p></font></p>

708th Medical Company Returns From Sinai Deployment
NORTH RIVERSIDE – Approximately 20 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers who served in Sinai, Egypt as part of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) will return home this week. The 708th Medical Company based in North Riverside will have their homecoming ceremony at 1 p.m. May 8. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the North Riverside National Guard Armory, 8660 W. Cermak Road.

<p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>Story by Sgt. Charlie Helmholt, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Two events to honor fallen servicemembers and recognize their families for their sacrifice were held at Camp Lincoln in Springfield May 4. The Fallen Heroes Memorial Ceremony honored fallen servicemembers and Connections in the Capital focused on fallen servicemembers’ surviving family and friends. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
The Illinois National Guard hosted these separate events in an effort to convey both sympathy for the losses military families have endured and facilitate their ability to carry on. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
The Illinois National Guard Fallen Heroes Memorial Ceremony paid homage to 34 Illinois National Guard members who have made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and way of life after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Alternatively, Connections focused on coping with loss and facilitating relationships between servicemembers’ surviving family and friends. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Brig. Gen. Daniel Krumrei of Springfield, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, attended both ceremonies, welcoming families to the installation and thanking them for their sacrifices. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“On behalf of Governor Quinn, on behalf of the Soldiers, Airmen, families, myself and my staff, welcome and I pray you peace in your journey of healing,” said Krumrei. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Krumrei laid a wreath at the Fallen Soldiers Memorial Ceremony and offered all of Camp Lincoln’s resources to the families of fallen servicemembers. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
During the ceremony the names of lost Illinois Army and Air National Guardsmen were read aloud and a wreath and rose laying ceremony took place shortly after the reading. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“Every day is a memorial day for us so it does bring back some of the pain, but knowing that the Guard still remembers them and honors them warms our hearts and gives us great hope that they will never be forgotten,” said Linda Grieco of Winfield, the mother of Staff Sgt. Kevin D. Grieco who was killed in action during Operation Enduring Freedom Oct. 27, 2008. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Illinois Connections for Families of the Fallen is a less somber occasion, designed initially from feedback of surviving family members after attending events like the Fallen Heroes Memorial Ceremony, in that they had felt alone in dealing with the emotions that arose during those services. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“I think one of the great ideas of Connections is that we all get to meet each other. We get to share our experiences. We get to share our laughter and we get to share our tears together,” said Jim Frazier of Woodstock, whose son, Illinois Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Jacob Frazier was killed in Operation Enduring Freedom March 29, 2003. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Connections brings together a myriad of local and national organizations whose mission is to connect families of the fallen servicemembers to resources to help find their new normal. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Krumrei summed up the day’s events with quotes from Abraham Lincoln who famously declared those who died in the service of their nation should be remembered and should never die in vain. </font></p>

Camp Lincoln Remembers Fallen Servicemembers
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Two events to honor fallen servicemembers and recognize their families for their sacrifice were held at Camp Lincoln in Springfield May 4. The Fallen Heroes Memorial Ceremony honored fallen servicemembers and Connections in the Capital focused on fallen servicemembers’ surviving family and friends.

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