Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Charlie Helmholt, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment/ Staff Sgt. Lonnie Lucas of Springfield stands next to Brig. Gen. Daniel Krumrei of Springfield as he places a wreath during the Illinois National Guard hosted Fallen Heroes Memorial Ceremony May 4, 2013 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield. The ceremony was held to honor the members of the Illinois Air and Army National Guard who have fallen during operations.

Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Charlie Helmholt,139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment/ Jim Frazier visits the Fallen Heroes Memorial during the Fallen Heroes Memorial Ceremony held at Camp Lincoln in Springfield May 4, 2013. Frazier has been an active member in memorial events throughout Illinois, since March 2003 when his son, Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Frazier was killed in action during Operation Enduring Freedom.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kassidy L. Snyder, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ Roger Purnell of Springfield, with the Illinois Army National Guard’s 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago, was promoted to the rank of master sergeant at Camp Lincoln in Springfield May 4. Purnell’s wife Tonya, pinned the new rank on her husband. His daughters, Star and Kaitlyn, were also present for the promotion ceremony.

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jason Dorsey, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ (Left) Maj. Gen. Dennis L. Celletti of Springfield, Illinois National Guard Assistant Adjutant General-Army, awards Col. Donna L. Cooper of Chicago a Military Medal of Merit and a Meritorious Service Medal May 3 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jason Dorsey, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ (Left) Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Sheahan of St. Louis receives 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.

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jason Dorsey, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ Command Sgt. Maj. Lew Alba of Shiloh received his retirement certificate and a commemorative flag at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, May 5.

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jason Dorsey, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ Command Sgt. Maj. Lew Alba of Shiloh shakes hands with Brig. Gen. Johnny Miller of Tamms, Illinois National Guard Assistant Adjutant General-Army, after receiving his retirement certificate and a commemorative flag at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, May 5.

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime L. Witt, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment/ Sgt. 1st Class Michael Ladd of Seymour, Ill., a driving instructor with the 129th Regimental Training Institute in Springfield, demonstrates proper wear of personal protective equipment while riding his motorcycle. All military motorcyclists must wear the appropriate personal protective equipment, pictured here. Required equipment includes full-length pants, jacket, boots that go above the ankle, gloves, reflective gear, eye protection, and a helmet. Helmets are required for Soldiers despite current Illinois law, which does not require motorcyclists to wear a helmet.

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime L. Witt, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment/ All military motorcyclists must wear the appropriate personal protective equipment, pictured here. Required equipment includes full-length pants, jacket, boots that go above the ankle, gloves, reflective gear, eye protection, and a helmet. Helmets are required for Soldiers despite current Illinois law, which does not require motorcyclists to wear a helmet.