Photos

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .mil

A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.

Secure .mil websites use HTTPS

A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Illinois Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class David Allen Stone wrote and recorded the song ‘Bury These Burdens’ to help anyone coping with depression and thoughts of suicide. The song was released Nov. 11, 2021. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are an average of 20 Veteran suicides per day in the United States.

Share

David Allen Stone of Robinson, Illinois, performs at Saratoga Tavern in Palestine, Illinois June 12, 2020.
Stone, a member of the Illinois Army National Guard, wrote the song ‘Bury These Burdens,’ to help those coping with mental illness and thoughts of suicide

Share

U.S. Army Col. Justin Towell, incoming chief of staff of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, provides remarks during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 26, 2022.

Share

U.S. Army Col. Justin Towell, incoming chief of staff of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, provides remarks during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 26, 2022.

Share

U.S. Army Col. Justin Towell, left, incoming chief of staff of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Carroll, senior enlisted leader of the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), assume authority of the CJTF-HOA mission during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 26, 2022.

Share

Jessica Sawyer, of Anna, Illinois, accepts a Certificate of Appreciation from husband, Staff Sgt. Phillip Sawyer, 2nd Battalion, 129th Regiment (Regional Training Institute), during his retirement ceremony Feb. 12 at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois.

Share

Staff Sgt. Phillip Sawyer, of Anna, Illinois, an instructor with 2nd Battalion, 129th Regiment (Regional Training Institute) accepts the Certificate of Retirement from Col. Daniel Reichen, of Springfield, Illinois, Commander, 129th RTI, during Sawyer’s retirement ceremony Feb. 12

Share

Private 1st Class Brandon Victor, of Monee, Troop A, 2nd Battalion, 106th Cavalry Regiment, directs traffic while Illinois State Police assist motorists Feb. 3.

Share

Soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard’s Troop A, 2nd Battalion, 106th Cavalry Regiment, based in Pontiac, assist the Illinois State Police during winter weather response operations Feb. 3 in the Champaign area.

Share

Col. Seth Hible, Chief of the Illinois National Guard Joint Staff.

Share

Maj. Gen. Rich Neely, of Springfield, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, speaks at the Department of Illinois Veterans of Foreign Wars 100th annual State Convention June 11 in Springfield, Illinois.

Share

Maj. Gen. Rich Neely, left, of Springfield, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, Senior Airman Cole Gelfius, of Dahlgren, second from left, Airman of the Year of the Illinois Air National Guard, Spc. Avery Caraker, of DuQuoin, center, Warrior of the Year of the Illinois Army National Guard, and Command Sgt. Maj. Dena Ballowe, of Litchfield, Senior Enlisted Leader of the Illinois National Guard, accept the Department of Illinois Veterans of Foreign Wars 2021 Hometown Heroes of the Year Award from Illinois VFW State Commander Laurie Emmer, of Sycamore, at their 100th annual State Convention June 11 in Springfield, Illinois.

Share

Spc. Jeremy Ridlen

Share

183rd Verne Orr Award

Share

Spc. Jared Reyes, front left, of Harvard, Illinois, is shown with Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston and other Soldiers honored at the Army-Navy game Dec. 11.

Share

Spc. Jared Reyes, third from the left, is shown with other Soldiers honored at the Army-Navy game Dec. 11.

Share

Chief Warrant Officer (5) Thomas Black of Springfield, Illinois, was the sixth Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Illinois National Guard.

Share

Lt. Col. Michael Mihalik

Share

A C-130H Hercules aircraft assigned to the 182nd Airlift Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, delivers 250 medical isolation pods to Chicago Midway International Airport, Chicago, Ill., April 8, 2020. Two 182nd Airlift Wing C-130 aircraft and aircrews flew the pods cross-country and overnight in a homeland defense mission for use at the McCormick Place COVID-19 alternate care facility. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Jay Grabiec)

Share

U.S. Army Sgt. Alec Broughton and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nicholas Hensley process a nasal test swab from an individual tested for COVID-19 at the McLean County Fair Grounds test site in Bloomington, Ill., April 21, 2020. Individuals perform the nasal test on themselves and then transfer the test kit to workers at the site without any contact, which eliminates much of the personal protection equipment that previously had to be worn. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech Sgt. Andrew Kleiser)

Share