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Jason M. Benhart is the top civilian Inspector General in the Army National Guard.

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John Sanders, from a crayon portrait in the collection of Colonel R.T. Durrett of Louisville, Kentucky. George Rogers Clark’s men caught Sanders who was hunting ducks near Vincennes, Indiana. They took him prisoner, interrogated him for information, and sent him into town with a note for the residents.

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George Rogers Clark, from a portrait painted by John Wesley Jarvis in the collection of Colonel R.T. Durrett of Louisville, Kentucky. As the American Revolutionary War intensified, Clark sought approval of a plan from Virginia’s Governor, Patrick Henry, to capture the British-held settlements of Kaskaskia, Cahokia and Vincennes in the Illinois Territory.

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Historical markers dotted in Kaskaskia, Cahokia Heights, Vincennes and Rock Island tell the stories and mark the locations of the westernmost events of the American Revolution as well as other early events involving the Illinois militia. (Graphic by Barbara Wilson, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

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Chief Master Sgt. Rebecca Velazquez, then serving in the Illinois Air National Guard, poses during her graduation ceremony at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Velazquez earned a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on leadership, psychology and sociology, a milestone that helped inspire her pursuit of a Master of Social Work degree and a future career supporting veterans and underserved communities.

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Then-Senior Airman Rebecca Velazquez receives recognition during her early years in the U.S. Air Force. Velazquez began her military career seeking adventure and opportunity, ultimately serving 27 years and retiring as the 183d Wing Command Chief, Illinois Air National Guard, before pursuing a new mission in mental health social work. (Courtesy photo)

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Brig. Gen. Jorge Fonseca, the Director of the Illinois National Guard Joint Staff, presents Jodi Hoffman with a Certificate of Appreciation signed by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff thanking her for her support of her husband, Illinois Army National Guard 1st Sgt. (ret.) Greg Hoffman, throughout his 27-year military career during Greg Hoffman’s June 6 retirement ceremony on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.

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State Command Chaplain (Colonel) Steve Foster congratulates 1st Sgt. (ret.) Greg Hoffman career during Hoffman’s June 6 retirement ceremony on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.

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1st Lt. Colin Kehoe will lead the approximately 70 Soldiers of the 233rd Military Police Co. on its deployment to Alaska where the Soldiers will protect infrastructure critical to the security of the United States of America. He stands with War Pig, the element’s mascot, during the company’s mobilization ceremony, June 7, on Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

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1st Lt. Colin Kehoe, who will lead the approximately 70 Soldiers of the 233rd Military Police Co. on its deployment to Alaska, displays the State of Illinois Flag with Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, during the unit’s June 7 mobilization ceremony on Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

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Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, addresses the deploying “War Pig” Soldiers and their families during the June 7 deployment ceremony for about 70 Soldiers of the 233rd Military Police Co.

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The “War Pigs” of the Illinois Army National Guard’s Springfield-based 233rd Military Police Co. salute during the unit’s mobilization ceremony, June 7, on Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

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Lt. Col. Russell Hayes, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team executive officer, presents Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jennifer Rosa with the Meritorious Service Medal during a retirement ceremony June 5 at the brigade headquarters in Urbana.

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Lt. Col. Russell Hayes, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team executive officer, presents a certificate of appreciation to Leosvaldo Rosa, the husband of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jennifer Rosa, in honor of his support of his spouse during her military service during a retirement ceremony June 5 at the brigade headquarters in Urbana.

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Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jennifer Rosa, the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s Human Resources technician, thanks family, friends, and fellow Soldiers for their support throughout her 25 years of service with the Illinois Army National Guard during a retirement ceremony June 5 at the brigade headquarters in Urbana.

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U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Kevin Jacobs, left, presents a framed aerial photograph to Maj. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough during a retirement ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois.

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U.S. Air Force Col. Shawn Strahle, left, presents a mounted jet engine fan blade to Maj. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough during a retirement ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, June 6, 2026.

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U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, left, and U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough hold a Certificate of Retirement during a ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, June 6, 2026.

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U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, left, presents U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough with a Citation of Merit during a retirement ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, June 6, 2026.

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U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Reed, center, presents a framed photograph of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft to Maj. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough during a retirement ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, June 6, 2026.

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