Gold Star Father Tony Vazquez (left) hugs fellow Gold Star Father Ralph Grieco after the Chicago Fire Boat Architectural Tour on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River.
230729-A-OH563-9154.JPG Photo By: Lt. Col. Brad Leighton, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Director

CHICAGO, Illinois - Gold Star Father Tony Vazquez (left) hugs fellow Gold Star Father Ralph Grieco after the Chicago Fire Boat Architectural Tour on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. Tony's son, Staff Sgt. Jason Vazquez was killed in action on September 17, 2008. Ralph's son, Staff Sgt. Kevin Grieco was killed in action on October 27, 2008. Both were Soldiers in the 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery and were killed in Afghanistan during the Illinois Army National Guard's 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team's 2008-2009 deployment. The July 29 boat tour was organized by the U.S. Army's Survivor Outreach Services and the Illinois National Guard for the 34 Illinois National Guard Gold Star Families whose service members were killed overseas since the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. The tour, led by Maj. Gen. Neely, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, gave the Gold Star Families time to connect with each other and the leader of the Illinois National Guard.


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