1st Sgt. Ryan Crews gave his farewell speech during his retirement ceremony Aug. 7, at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, Springfield. Over his 34 year career, he served in a variety of command and staff positions including as a platoon sergeant, a brigade communications (S-6) noncommissioned officer-in-charge, a signal support systems specialist (25U) instructor, first sergeant of the 406th Signal Company, first sergeant of C Co., 766th Brigade Engineer Battalion, and lastly as the state tactical communications senior noncommissioned officer-in-charge.

Illinois Army National Guard 1st Sgt. Ryan Crews, of Mount Vernon, presents a certificate of appreciation to wife, Sara, during a retirement ceremony Aug. 7 at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois. Crews retired after 34 years in the Illinois Army National Guard. Crews retired from his civilian job, a captain in the Mount Vernon Police Department, in May.

Lt. Col. Mark Lueken, who serves as the deputy G-6 during drill status duty, presents Illinois Army National Guard 1st Sgt. Ryan Crews of Mount Vernon, Illinois, a wooden wall plaque in honor of Crews’ more than 34 years of military service at the retirement ceremony Aug. 7 at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, Springfield.

Lt. Col. Mark Lueken, who serves as the deputy G-6 during drill status duty, presents Illinois Army National Guard 1st Sgt. Ryan Crews of Mount Vernon, Illinois, a certificate of retirement during the retirement ceremony Aug. 7 at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, Springfield. Crews retires after 34 years of military service and looks forward to spending time with his wife and family.

The 709th Medical Company Area Support stand at attention during the mobilization ceremony Aug. 6 at Monroe Elementary School in Peoria. Approximately 55 Soldiers from the unit will deploy in support of Operation Inherent Resolve to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

Maj. Gen. Rich Neely, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, shakes hands with Maj. Karen Hernandez, of Bensenville, Commander, 709th Medical Company Area Support, based in Bartonville, after the deployment ceremony Aug. 6 at Monroe Elementary School in Peoria, Illinois. Approximately 55 Soldiers from the unit will deploy in support of Operation Inherent Resolve to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.