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Tag: Illinois

THE ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARD TO CELEBRATE 300TH YEAR IN 2023
January 3, 2023 — On May 9, 1723 in the small village of Kaskaskia, Diron d’ Artaguiette, the Inspector of Troops for the French Commandant, drilled the first militia in the Illinois Country. What is today known as the Illinois National Guard arose from this humble beginning. Then, as now, the Illinois National Guard was part of the community and drew its strength from the community. The National Guard is the oldest component of the U.S. military and the only military component with both state and federal missions. The Illinois National Guard will celebrate its 300th year by commemorating significant dates in its history with communities across the state that share that history...

Illinois National Guard Helps Make 3-Year-Old June Peden-Stade's Wish for a Parade a Reality
December 20, 2022 — The temperature was 23-degrees Fahrenheit, but it was a warm June Day in Auburn, Illinois, on Dec. 17 as the Illinois National Guard joined hundreds of first responders, schools, and community groups from across the region to give 3-year-old June Peden-Stade a parade. "It means the world to June and us to have June's wish granted in such a big and heart-warming way," said Adam Stade, June's father. June is bravely fighting neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer. The parade included more than 200 vehicles and floats as well as two high school marching bands, multiple cheerleading squads, school sports teams, and colorful characters from the Paw Patrol to Santa and Mrs. Claus themselves. The Illinois Army National Guard contributed 10 trucks and about 20 Soldiers from the 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion; Charlie Company of the 634th Brigade Support Battalion; Battery B of the 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery; and the 3637th Maintenance Company - all based in Springfield, Ill., about 30 minutes from Auburn. The parade lasted more than two hours, with many pausing in front of June's Washington Street home to perform or to give a gift to June. The Illinois National Guard Soldiers presented June with flowers and a big Teddy Bear and saluted her bravery. With the weather outside being a little too frightful for June's health, she watched the parade through her front door window. The Make A Wish Foundation reached out to the City of Auburn with June's wish just four days before the parade and supporters flocked in from all over Central Illinois to make the parade a reality. Town, city, and county police and sheriff took part, including the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Secretary of State Police. Fire departments from all over, including the Illinois Fire Marshal's Office, were there in force. The Christian County Shrine Club sped around in miniature cars and "CJ and Joey" the mascots for HSHS Children's Hospital - where June receives treatment - waved to June from the back of a pick-up truck. Lt. Col. Mike Barton, the Commander of the 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, said that his unit's noncommissioned officers jumped on the opportunity to support June's parade as soon as the public affairs office sent the request. "The National Guard is part of the community and this was the community pulling together for June. We were truly honored to be part of her special day."...

Kincaid Man Retires From Army After 32 Years and Rising to Highest Enlisted Rank
April 7, 2022 — Growing up in the small town of Kincaid, Illinois, Anthony Mollusky Jr. didn’t have a lot of options. With only about 1,500 people, the former mining town had hit rough times. Jobs were drying up and the young man was uncertain about his future. So, he joined the Army. It was the beginning of a 32-year journey that would take him across the world and then back to Kincaid. On Sunday, April 3, during a ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, he retired with the highest rank an enlisted Soldier can achieve, command sergeant major. ...

Illinois Army National Guard Receives UH-60V Black Hawks
March 17, 2022 — The Illinois Army National Guard has received new UH-60V Black Hawk helicopters, the latest rotary-wing aircraft in the Army’s inventory. The helicopters are assigned to the 106th Aviation Regiment, stationed in Kankakee and Decatur...

ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS RECOGNIZED AS REGION’S BEST RECRUITERS
February 14, 2018 — 1st Sgt. Chad McDannald, a Jacksonville, Illinois, native, and Sgt. 1st Class Beau Detrick, of Marion, Illinois, with the Illinois Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion (ILARNG RRB) were recognized during a ceremony in Potomac, Maryland, Jan. 31, for being the best Army National Guard recruiters in a seven-state region.McDannald,...

Route 150 Through Galesburg Dedicated in Honor of Fallen Illinois National Guard Member

'Discipline, Sacrifice, Teamwork': 126th ARW Earns Metcalf Trophy

Grit, Courage and Resilience Define Illinois Army National Guard Combatives Champions

BROTHERHOOD BORN IN BATTLE – Veterans Reflect on Role in 2013 Defense of Forward Operating Base Ghazni

Team of Illinois Army National Guard Medics Respond to Real-Life Emergency During Northern Strike Exercise in Michigan

Illinois Army National Guard Officer Candidate School Graduates 22 Leaders

Quinn Honored for Nearly 3 Decades of Service and ‘Creating a Family’ of Soldiers

Two Illinois Army National Guard Teams Built Partner Capacity in Strategic Regions

Already a Coach, Artist, and ‘Brady Bunch’ Dad – Army Officer is Now a Major

U.S. and Malaysian soldiers conduct joint walking blood bank training

‘The Godfather’ Flies into Retirement after 42 Years of Service

Illinois Army Aviation MEDEVAC Writes Final Chapter of Unit’s History with Casing of Colors

Col. Jeffrey P. Hicks Appointed as United States Property and Fiscal Officer for Illinois

144th Army Band Hosts 3 Concerts to Celebrate Independence Day

Illinois' Jason Benhart Recognized as One of the Top Inspector General Civilians

American Revolution in the Midwest: How Parts of the War Were Fought in Illinois

Retired Chief Master Sergeant Wants to Help Veterans Heal Through Social Work

First Sergeant With ‘Toughness of Infantry and Compassion of Chaplain’ Retires After Nearly Three Decades of Military Service

Springfield-Based 233rd Military Police Company Mobilizes About 70 Soldiers For Critical Mission in Alaska

‘Rockstar’ Chief Warrant Officer Retires After Successful 25 Years of Service in the Illinois Army National Guard

Maj. Gen. Dan McDonough of Peoria Retires after Nearly Four Decades of Military Leadership

Illinois Army National Guard Aviator Wins Gen. Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award

Illinois National Guard's Director of Joint Staff Selected For Key Army Intelligence Role

The Power of Transformational Leadership: CMSgt Retires After 27 Years of Service

Illinois National Guard Leaders Welcome 10 New Second Lieutenants During Spring ROTC Commissioning Ceremonies

Proud New American: Spc. Edna Carrena Shares Her Journey To U.S. Citizenship Through Military Service

Aviation Soldiers Mobilize for Southern Command Mission

Belvidere Officer Retires from the Illinois Army National Guard After Two and a Half Decades of Selfless Service

Springfield-Based Military Police Co. Prepares for Deployment to Alaska

Illinois National Guard Soldiers step onto the range and step up to lead

Soldier Credits Gold Star Scholarships for Path to Success

Bloomington Soldier Credits Success to Giant Life Lessons

The 34th Division Sustainment Brigade (DSB) Change of Command

Fellow Veterans, Family Gather to Remember Soldier who Died During Annual Training Accident in 1999

Chicago White Sox Knock It Out of the Park, Answer Call for Replacement Memento Honoring Fallen Service Member

Illinois Air National Guard Judge Advocate Adjourns Career

Illinois National Guard 33rd IBCT Commander and Cavalry Officer Highlights Polish-American Military Bonds on Pulaski Day

Guard Officer Retires After 32 years; Has No Plans to Give Spouse’s Liver Back

Bryant Promoted to Major in Illinois Army National Guard

Illinois Army National Guard Commander Honors Captain Walter Dyett Award Recipient

Springfield Community Gathers to Remember 35th Anniversary of Desert Storm Cease Fire

Illinois National Guard Soldier Promoted to Staff Sergeant in Milan-based Unit

Illinois Army National Guard Field Artillery Battalion Joins With Community to Give Blood

From Soldier Care to Leadership: Lt. Col. Lionel Gonzalez Retires After 23 Years

Illinois Army National Guard Combatives Instructor Retires After 23 Years of Service

Brave Band 2026 Strengthens Multinational Readiness as U.S. National Guard Marks 11 Years of Partnership

Woodstock-Based ‘Honeybadgers’ Named Illinois Army National Guard’s Top Recruiting Company for Third Straight Year

Staff Sgt. Francisco Orozco Named Illinois’ Top Army National Guard Recruiter for Second Year, Earns National Recognition

Small Store, Big Impact: Illinois National Guard Soldiers Help Exchange Boost Soldier Morale at Forward Operating Site Karliki, Poland

Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Ramos Named Illinois Army National Guard Recruiting Rookie of the Year

Illinois National Guard Honors Former Guardsman Abe Lincoln

Cold-Weather Capable: IL ANG PA Airmen Test Limits During NS 26-1

Lake in the Hills Veterans Service Officer Promoted in the Illinois Army National Guard

Illinois Air National Guard’s New Top Enlisted Leader: ‘Get All the Training You Can’

404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade conducts Change of Command during Brigade Ball

National Guard Officer Retires from Army after 21 Years, Continues Service with VFW

Illinois National Guard, Portugal Formalize New State Partnership Agreement

Gov. Pritzker Names Colonel Steven B. Rice as Assistant Adjutant General - Air of the Illinois National Guard

725th Transportation Company Kept European Command Fueled

Upcoming retirement of Major General Daniel McDonough, the Assistant Adjutant General – Air and Commander of the Illinois Air National Guard after more than 38 years in uniform.

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Approximately 250 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers Return from Overseas Deployment

1-178th Infantry Welcomes New Commander

Approximately 265 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers Return from Overseas Deployment

Illinois National Guard Unit From Pontiac Played Vial Role in U.S. Military Operations in Somalia

Freeport-Based Military Police Unit Returns From Critical Mission in the Tundra

Illinois National Guard Regional Training Institute Gets New Commander

Illinois National Guard Soldier Becomes Naturalized U.S. Citizen During Ceremony

Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers Support Bright Star 25 in Egypt

Illinois National Guardsmen Compete in the Annual TAG Match 2025 to Test and Enhance Marksmanship

Two childhood friends from the Illinois Army National Guard compete together in the ILNG TAG Match 2025

Lincoln’s ChalleNGe Academy Welcomes New Director

Elmhurst, Ill.. Officer Takes Command of Illinois Army National Guard Infantry Brigade

Veterans and Gold Star Families Day at the Illinois State Fair

Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd Joins 8th Infantry Association in Scholarship Presentations

Sullivan-based Logistics Unit Returns After Deployment to Africa and Europe

Public Affairs Unit Returns after Historic Deployment to Europe

Illinois National Guard to Partner with Portugal as Part of National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program

Brig. Gen. Jorge M. Fonseca Promoted and Appointed Director of the Joint Staff

Retiring Lincoln’s ChalleNGe Academy Director Led Academy With Vision and Passion

Huntley Soldier Assumes Command of 766th Brigade Engineer Battalion 

Approximately 1,370 Illinois Guard Members Were Activated for Overseas Duty  