Lt. Col. (ret.) Autherine Jones speaks during the 8th Infantry Association's scholarship presentations. Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, helped present 8th Infantry Regiment Illinois National Guard Association scholarships to deserving high school seniors at the General Richard L. Jones Armory in Chicago on Aug. 9, 2025. The 8th Infantry Association keeps the memory of the Illinois Army National Guard's "Fighting" 8th Infantry Regiment alive by awarding scholarships to deserving high school seniors from the South Side of Chicago.

All members of the 8th Infantry Illinois Nations Guard Association proudly gather together at General Jones Armory, Illinois, August 9, 2025, to give out scholarships to the leaders of tomorrow. Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, helped present 8th Infantry Regiment Illinois National Guard Association scholarships to deserving high school seniors at the General Richard L. Jones Armory in Chicago on Aug. 9, 2025. The 8th Infantry Association keeps the memory of the Illinois Army National Guard's "Fighting" 8th Infantry Regiment alive by awarding scholarships to deserving high school seniors from the South Side of Chicago.

Major Gen. Rodney Boyd, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, presents his command coin to two members of the 8th Infantry Regiment Illinois National Guard Association at the General Richard L. Jones Armory in Chicago on Aug. 9, 2025. The 8th Infantry Association keeps the memory of the Illinois Army National Guard's "Fighting" 8th Infantry Regiment alive by awarding scholarships to deserving high school seniors from the South Side of Chicago.

Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, helped present 8th Infantry Regiment Illinois National Guard Association scholarships to Zoe Banguel, Seneea Boyd, Daniya Mcghee, Wade Hudson, Sania Sneed and Josiah Ruffian at the General Richard L. Jones Armory in Chicago on Aug. 9, 2025. The 8th Infantry Association keeps the memory of the Illinois Army National Guard's "Fighting" 8th Infantry Regiment alive by awarding scholarships to deserving high school seniors from the South Side of Chicago.

Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, helped present an 8th Infantry Regiment Illinois National Guard Association scholarship to Sania Sneed at the General Richard L. Jones Armory in Chicago on Aug. 9, 2025. Sneed will attend Oakton College this fall. The 8th Infantry Association keeps the memory of the Illinois Army National Guard's "Fighting" 8th Infantry Regiment alive by awarding scholarships to deserving high school seniors from the South Side of Chicago.

Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, helped present an 8th Infantry Regiment Illinois National Guard Association scholarship to Josiah Ruffin at the General Richard L. Jones Armory in Chicago on Aug. 9, 2025. Ruffin will attend DePaul University this fall. The 8th Infantry Association keeps the memory of the Illinois Army National Guard's "Fighting" 8th Infantry Regiment alive by awarding scholarships to deserving high school seniors from the South Side of Chicago.