Photos

Illinois Army National Guard Lt. Col. Michael Legler (right), of Pekin, Illinois, receives the Meritorious Service Medal from Maj. Gen. Michael Zerbonia, of Chatham, Illinois, Assistant Adjutant General – Army, during his retirement ceremony April 30 at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.

Illinois Army National Guard Lt. Col. Michael Legler, of Pekin, Illinois, thanks friends and family for their support throughout his military service during his retirement ceremony April 30 at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. Legler retired with more than 33 years of military service, including 28 years in the National Guard.

Krista Legler (center), wife of Illinois Army National Guard Lt. Col. Michael Legler (right), of Pekin, Illinois, receives a Certificate of Appreciation from Maj. Gen. Michael Zerbonia, of Chatham, Illinois, Assistant Adjutant General – Army

Illinois Army National Guard Lt. Col. Michael Legler (right), of Pekin, Illinois, receives a Certificate of Retirement from Maj. Gen. Michael Zerbonia, of Chatham, Illinois, Assistant Adjutant General – Army, during his retirement ceremony April 30 at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.

U.S. Army Col. Thomas Ransom, (right) of Highland Park, Illinois, Illinois National Guard Inspector General (ILNG IG), addresses attendees at his farewell ceremony April 9 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. Ransom, who has served as the ILNG IG since 2017, will head to Fort Shafter, Hawaii for his next military assignment as the Deputy Chief of Exercises.

U.S. Army Col. Thomas Ransom (right) of Highland Park, Illinois, Illinois National Guard Inspector General (ILNG IG), receives a Meritorious Service Medal and the Illinois National Guard Military Medal of Merit, from Maj. Gen. Rich Neely, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard.

U.S. Army Col. Thomas Ransom (right) of Highland Park, Illinois, Illinois National Guard Inspector General (ILNG IG), receives an Illinois National Guard Inspector General Office Guidon.

On April 9, Illinois Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Henry Dixon was selected as the Assistant Chief of Staff, Director of Operations (G3), for the U.S. Army Central Command.

Newly promoted Lt. Col. Michael Barton, of Greenview, Illinois, (right) receives the Meritorious Service Medal from Maj. Gen. Michael R. Zerbonia, Assistant Adjutant General – Army, Illinois National Guard and Commander, Illinois Army National Guard, for Barton’s work as the Assistant to the Chief of Staff, Illinois Army National Guard.

Newly promoted Lt. Col. Michael Barton, of Greenview, Illinois, points to the United States flag on his uniform to illustrate each member of the Illinois National Guard is an ambassador regardless of their reason for serving.

Family of newly promoted Lt. Col. Michael Barton, of Greenview, Illinois, children Bryer, Scarlett and Rhett, and uncle, Neil Tousley, tack on new rank during Barton’s promotion ceremony April 5 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.

Col. Donald "DK" Carpenter was selected as the new Director of Logistics, Engineering, and Force Protection for the Air National Guard. With this selection, Carpenter will be promoted to brigadier general.

Illinois Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Mark Jackson of Frankfort, Illinois, has been selected as the Deputy Commanding General of Operations for First Army and will be promoted to Major General.

Illinois Air National Guard Capt. Jennifer Weitekamp poses next to the Women in the Air Force exhibit honoring her accomplishment at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force March 5.

Illinois Air National Guard Capt. Jennifer Weitekamp poses for a photo next to the Women in the Air Force exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force March 5.

Illinois National Guard State Chaplain (Col.) Steve Foster, of Riverton, Illinois, presents newly commissioned Illinois Army National Guard Jewish Chaplain (Capt.) Aaron Melman, of Northbrook, Illinois, with the Chaplain’s Stole during a ceremony March 17 at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois.

Rabbi Aaron Melman, of Northbrook, Illinois, recites the oath of commissioning as a captain in the Illinois Army National Guard administered by Chaplain (Col.) Stephen Foster, of Riverton, Illinois, Illinois National Guard State Chaplain, during a ceremony March 17 at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois.

Newly commissioned Illinois Army National Guard Chaplain (Capt.) Aaron Melman, of Northbrook, Illinois, offers thanks to family and friends attending virtually for their support during his commissioning ceremony at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois, March 17.

William Hills, of Freeport, Illinois, shows the U.S. flag and certificate presented to him by Illinois National Guard Lt. Col. Eric Smith, of Springfield, Illinois, Deputy G4, Illinois Army National Guard, to his family on a Facetime call on Hills’ 97th birthday Jan. 29.

Maj. Gen. Brian Mennes, Commander, 10th Mountain Division, provided a certificate wishing William Hills of Freeport, Illinois, a 97th birthday Jan. 29.