Press Releases

<P><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">       </SPAN><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">SPRINGFIELD</B> – Brig. Gen. Richard J. Hayes of Buffalo Grove, Director of the Joint Staff of the Illinois National Guard, was awarded the Legion of Merit at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, June 1.</P>
<P>       Brig. Gen. Daniel Krumrei of Springfield, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, presented Hayes with the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious service as the commander of the 129th Regional Training Institute in Springfield from Feb. 1, 2010 to July 31, 2013. </SPAN></P>
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<P><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1">       </SPAN>Through Hayes’ leadership and clear guidance, the 129th has emerged and distinguished itself as one of the premier training platforms in the National Guard, stated the award citation.</P>
<P>      <SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Hayes was commissioned in 1987 from the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Kansas and joined the Illinois National Guard in 1989. Since 1989 he has served in various positions within the field artillery, infantry and joint force headquarters.</SPAN></P>
<P></P><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1">      </SPAN>As the Director of the Joint Staff, Hayes is responsible for developing and coordinating all policies, programs, and plans in joint matters that affect Illinois' 13,000 Army and Air National Guard personnel.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He is responsible for the integration and coordination of National Guard capabilities in support of Homeland Defense and Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) operations to include the operational control of 3,000 dedicated Army and Air personnel in DSCA.</SPAN>
<P></P>     The Legion of Merit is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.</SPAN>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">     The Legion of Merit is the U.S. military’s sixth highest award. </SPAN>

Buffalo Grove General Receives Legion Of Merit
SPRINGFIELD – Brig. Gen. Richard J. Hayes of Buffalo Grove, Director of the Joint Staff of the Illinois National Guard, was awarded the Legion of Merit at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, June 1.

<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="center"><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Maj. Gen. Dennis Celletti retires from the Illinois National Guard after four decades</SPAN></I></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="center"><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN></I><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Story by Mike Chrisman, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs</SPAN></I></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="center"> </P><FONT size="2"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size="3" face="times new roman,times,serif">SPRINGFIELD, Ill.</FONT></SPAN></B><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size="3" face="times new roman,times,serif"> – Maj. Gen. Dennis Celletti of Springfield has always made time for both his military and civilian family.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>After 41 years, he is saying farewell to his family in the Illinois Army National Guard.</FONT><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif"> </FONT></SPAN></FONT>
<P><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif"></FONT></P><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">He holds a strong bond to family life.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>His ability to manage the busy life of the Guard and then take time to spend time with all of us is unbelievable,” said Celletti’s only son, Maj. Jason Celletti of Springfield, Ill., with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Urbana. “As a father and grandfather he is very committed to ensure that he is at events like football games, volleyball games and even just the family cook outs.”</SPAN></FONT></FONT>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">Celletti commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1976 and will retire May 31 as the Assistant Adjutant General-Army for the Illinois National Guard.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">“In order to be a professional, you have to have a professional career and my wife and family have always understood that and been very supportive and that makes it easier to balance,” Celletti said.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“When I have had time, I have gone out of my way to have family time and that’s important.”</FONT></SPAN>
<P></P><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">Jason said his dad always taught him the Illinois Army National Guard was a family that instills the common threads of commitment, service, dedication and caring. While his dad was extremely busy with work, Jason said he always found time to attend sporting events and volunteer with the Boy Scouts. </SPAN></FONT></FONT>
<P></P><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"></SPAN>Jason said the birth of his daughter Milana brought out a side of the general that many never see.</SPAN></FONT></FONT>
<P></P><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">"The strong, stern major general just melts in her hands,” Jason said. “Just the other night she was coloring in her book and like any 2-year old, she missed the page. Sure enough it put a big green streak on the white carpet.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>What would have been a scold or life lesson for me, for her it was; ‘Oh it will wash out, no big deal.’"<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT>
<P></P><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">Celletti admits his granddaughter tugs at his heart.</SPAN></FONT></FONT>
<P></P><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">"I’ve missed a lot of family time in my career and it makes you enjoy the precious times even more,” Celletti said.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“Others have said kids bring out a side of me that most people haven’t seen before.”</SPAN></FONT></FONT>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">There are many experiences that stand out to Celletti during his career.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, the proudest moments involve his family and watching his son grow as a Soldier and leader.</FONT></SPAN>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">“I am proud of my son because he has made all of the decisions on his own,” he said.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“He made all the right decisions and he is right where he needs to be and doing well. I am proud of him, but he is not following in my footsteps.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He is making his own way through a professional organization doing what he wants to do.”</FONT></SPAN>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">Celletti became the first Assistant Adjutant General in Illinois history to achieve the rank of major general.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He has served in the position since 2005 and advises the Adjutant General on all matters pertaining to the Illinois Army National Guard and its 10,000 Soldiers.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">“I feel proud, but it’s not about what I have done.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It’s about what we have done and accomplished as an organization,” Celletti said. “We are a solid team.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Everyone has the same goals and objectives.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I hope I look back in 10 years and still see that we have the same attitude.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That is what makes us the Guard.”</FONT></SPAN>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">Celletti grew up in Sterling, Ill., and followed several generations of family who donned a uniform</FONT></SPAN>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">“I saw what they did for our country and I felt the need to serve,” Celletti said.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“Our military is one percent of the population.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If you break it down, it goes generation to generation of families serving.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It’s patriotism built in the genes and it keeps carrying on.” </FONT></SPAN>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">Over his lengthy career, Celletti made a lot of special connections across Illinois.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, the relationship he built in Woodstock, Ill., was different than many others.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Company D, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry in Woodstock lost four Soldiers when it deployed to Afghanistan in 2008 to 2009.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">   </SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">"I had the honor of working with several of the Gold Star families,” Celletti said.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“They are now part of the Illinois National Guard family and we will not forget their loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice to our nation.”</FONT></SPAN>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">Mark Greenleaf of Woodstock worked with Celletti several times when Celletti visited Woodstock and praised the general for his commitment to the military and community.</FONT></SPAN>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">"You don’t have to serve with Major General Celletti to understand how much he cares for the men and women in his command; a civilian like me could see it,” Greenleaf said. ‘We’re very grateful for the visits he made here when our Soldiers deployed to Afghanistan, when they returned from combat, and to honor our local veterans, our military families and our fallen.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>After his 40 years of distinguished service, I wish him a happy and well-earned retirement.”</FONT></SPAN>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">Over the course of a career, many individuals influenced Celletti and made him the leader he is today.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Col. (ret.) Ray Perry of Springfield, Ill., was the commander of the 106th Cavalry in Rock Falls when Celletti first commissioned as a second lieutenant 37 years ago.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Perry said he knew Celletti was going to be a solid leader for the Illinois National Guard.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">"He was one of the hardest workers I have ever had in my formations,” Perry said.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“He did the best he could do and always stood up for what was right.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He has become an amazing leader.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">Celletti said some of the toughest assignments he had in his career have been when he was in command of a unit.</FONT></SPAN>
<P></P><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">"<SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">It’s tough when you are in the position, but looking back it was worth it to know Soldiers respected you and do what you want,” he said.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“They’re doing it because they respect you.”</SPAN></FONT></FONT>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">Jason said his dad was a great leader, but his leadership is the reason the Illinois Army National Guard won’t miss a beat when he retires.</FONT></SPAN>
<P></P><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">"He once told me that if you do your job as a leader and trainer, then you will have full confidence in the Soldiers that will fill your shoes,” Jason said. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">Celletti’s advice to young servicemembers is to never stop learning and always strive to improve.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He also stressed the importance of looking after the people who are important.</FONT></SPAN>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">“Take care of your family and fellow Soldiers and Airmen by doing the right thing and they will take care of you,” he said.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">Celletti has numerous awards including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">Celletti jokingly said the top three things he plans to do when he retires are: golf, golf and more golf with some trips in the RV and occasional work in his woodshop.</FONT></SPAN>
<P></P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT face="times new roman,times,serif">"After several months together with my wife Kathy, I know she will make me do something to keep me busy and her sane,” Celletti said.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“So, until then, I may look for some good retirement job just to keep my mind sharp, but a job with a lot of flexibility to still do number one, number two and number three on my list.”</FONT></SPAN>
<P></P>

41 Years Of Military Service; Lifetime Family Man
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Maj. Gen. Dennis Celletti of Springfield has always made time for both his military and civilian family. After 41 years, he is saying farewell to his family in the Illinois Army National Guard.

<p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>Story by Capt. Dutch Grove, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
CHICAGO – Illinois National Guard Special Forces Soldiers have taken advantage of a relatively new Department of Defense initiative to bring realism to military training by conducting it in public places rather than the controlled environment of a military base. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“The Realistic Military Training (RMT) initiative creates more opportunity to train realistically and to train with the populace in an area that has non-standard buildings, government structures, traffic lights…things that we wouldn’t normally encounter on a military base,” Said Joseph Kilcullen, commander of Company A, 20th Special Forces Group in Chicago. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
The RMT mission dubbed “Operation Pushback” was May 17 to 19 at several suburban Chicago residential and government buildings. The training scenario challenged Illinois National Guard Special Forces Soldiers’ foreign language skills while gathering intelligence information to break up a human, gun and drug trafficking ring. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
The unit planned and executed the training exercise with the help of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which assisted securing training locations and played the role of the bad guys. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“This training gives both agencies more tools to use in the field. It is going to keep both of us safer and make us more effective at our jobs,” said James Gibbons, deputy special agent in charge of HSI Chicago. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Staff Sgt. Stevie Lundell, of Chicago, and an Illinois National Guard linguist, was also a role player and said using civilian locations made the training seem like a real event. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“A lot of times we use a mock plywood or cinderblock structure, but tonight was an actual building with running water and electricity…they actually busted in and took us from the location, it wasn’t just a notional arrest,” she said. “I had no problem pretending I was scared. They were very intimidating and command a certain authority when they entered the room.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Kilcullen said besides the added realism, partnering with DHS has many other benefits. </font></p></font></p>

Illinois Guard Soldiers Find Opportunities Training In Civilian Places
CHICAGO – Illinois National Guard Special Forces Soldiers have taken advantage of a relatively new Department of Defense initiative to bring realism to military training by conducting it in public places rather than the controlled environment of a military base.

<p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>SPRINGFIELD – Four chaplain candidates were inducted into the Illinois Army National Guard’s Chaplain Corps May 18 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
The candidates where presented a stole, a liturgical vestment used by various Christian denominations, to honor their completion of Army chaplain training, seminary school and their induction into the Illinois Army National Guard Chaplain Corps. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
The chaplain candidates inducted into the Chaplain Corps were: </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
• 1st Lt. Justin Anweiler of Lincoln with the 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment in Peoria </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
• 1st Lt. Monte Bowers of Shelbyville with the 766th Engineer Battalion in Decatur </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
• 1st Lt. Kip Troeger of Springfield with the 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battlion in Machesney Park </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
• 1st Lt. Jeffery Nelson of Grayslake with the 2nd Battalion, 123rd Artillery Regiment in Milan </font></p></font></p>
The new chaplains will provide spiritual and religious support for Soldiers in the Illinois National Guard. Chaplains are among the support groups available to Soldiers and family looking for advice, counseling and guidance. </font></p>
Many of the National Guard chaplains are also pastors in their civilan occupations providing spiritual guidance in their local communities. </font></p>
The U.S. Army Chaplain Corps is one of the oldest and smallest branches of the Army. The Chaplain Corps dates back to July 29, 1775, when the Continental Army was authorized one chaplain per regiment. </font></p>

Four New Candidates Inducted Into Illinois National Guard Chaplain Corps
SPRINGFIELD – Four chaplain candidates were inducted into the Illinois Army National Guard’s Chaplain Corps May 18 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'>
CHAMPAIGN – Today the U.S. military honors those who do not wear the uniform but who stand beside their servicemembers everyday: military spouses. May 10, Military Spouse Appreciation Day, was established by Ronald Reagan in 1984 and is celebrated the Friday before Mother’s Day each year. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Sgt. 1st Class Sean P. Broderick said his wife, Donna K. Broderick, both of Fisher, has proven herself as a spouse who goes above and beyond to make her husband’s service to his country possible. Broderick, along with his daughter, Pfc. Kierstin M. Broderick of Urbana both serve in Company B, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Champaign. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Just four months after they married, Sean deployed to Afghanistan with the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team in 2008. Donna was left to run the house and take care of their now combined five children. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“I thought deployment, from my perspective, was harder on my wife than it was on me,” said Broderick. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Despite the family dynamics, deployment and any other stressors, Sean said Donna held the family together while he was overseas. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“She’s pretty awesome,” said Sean. “For someone who has never dealt with anything like a deployment, she really held it together. I was really impressed with how she held herself together and dealt with everything.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Donna said the family transition and the deployment was difficult at first, but over time she adapted. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“It was hard enough with our family dynamics because we were combining families, trying to find boundaries with the older kids, working, not knowing what (Sean) was getting himself into, especially after what happened in Iraq in 2005,” said Donna. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Sean, a purple heart recipient, was injured in a rocket attack during the 2005 deployment that put him in the hospital for several months.
Donna took on even more responsibility when she took charge of the Family Readiness Group (FRG) just five months ago after the previous leader abruptly stepped down. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“The FRG was so helpful while our Soldiers were gone,” said Donna. “It’s not like being at a normal military base where your neighbors have Soldiers deployed. You’re kind of out there on your own.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Although Military Spouse Appreciation Day has been around for nearly three decades, many servicemembers are not aware of its existence.
“I think it’s incredible,” said 2nd Lt. Anastasia M. Flanagan of Danville, acting commander of Co. B, 634th BSB. “I think military spouses, especially on the Guard side, are often overlooked. I think this is an excellent program to get the word out that as an Army, in the National Guard, we do appreciate our spouses and we do think they are an invaluable members of the team.” </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
Donna has made progess to improve the FRG after only five months in the leadership role. </font></p><p style='margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 31.5pt;'><font size='2' face='Arial'>
“I was immediately impressed with how she brings her ideas into the FRG meetings and is working outside of the two hours that we have our meetings,” said Flanagan. “She’s working toward trying to have our meetings run efficiently and bring new and fresh ideas. That’s been incredible.” </font></p></font></p>

Military Spouse Appreciation Day Honors Those Who Support Service Members
CHAMPAIGN – Today the U.S. military honors those who do not wear the uniform but who stand beside their servicemembers everyday: military spouses. May 10, Military Spouse Appreciation Day, was established by Ronald Reagan in 1984 and is celebrated the Friday before Mother’s Day each year.

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