By Eric Stock

WASHINGTON – As the federal government shutdown rolled into its second day on Sunday, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill, took to the Senate floor to call for all military personnel to receive pay during the shutdown.

“I implore my colleagues to take action right now on something we should all be able to agree on: making sure this partisan gridlock does not harm the American troops who are holding the line right now to defend our nation,” Duckworth said. “We all agree that our men and women in uniform have enough to worry about without having to wonder whether their paycheck will come on time this month.”

Duckworth is an original co-sponsor of The Pay Our Military Act, which was authored by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and offered as an amendment by Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., on Saturday.

“No military family who is struggling with the utter grief of losing a loved one should have to experience even more pain and hardship,” Duckworth said. “The fact that Senate Republicans would block this bill is simply shameful.”

From the Lincoln Historic Home in Springfield to Scott Air Force Base, non-essential federal offices in Illinois are being affected by the lack of a federal budget. A one-month plan to keep the government open failed to pass the Senate Friday.

Some of Illinois’ congressional Republicans said Illinois’ Democratic senators lack of support for the House plan also affects 300,000 Illinois children that take part in the federal Child Heartache Insurance Program.

Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
Illinois Radio Network contributed to this report.

By Greg Bishop/Illinois Radio Network

CHICAGO – Ten Illinois soldiers who are part of the Chicago-based 633rd Theater Gateway Personnel Accountability Team are back home for the holidays after serving overseas for nine months and they’re looking to catch up on lost time with their families.

Half landed in Chicago mid-day Wednesday. The other half arrived in Springfield.

It was Sgt. 1st Class Heather Miller’s first deployment after serving for 17 years. Her job in Kuwait was to process everyone who came in and out of central command.

“We’re the first stop and the last stop,” Miller said. “So we’re the face they see leaving theater and coming into theaters.”

The 10 soldiers were in Kuwait to help process 80,000 military personnel, Department of Defense civilians and contractors who were deployed to and from the Central Command area. They also supervised more than 500 troop movements, including more than 3,300 buses and baggage trucks, according to a news release.

Miller said while many may honor the soldiers returning, they should also remember the families that sacrifice waiting for their loved ones.

“Like my husband,” Miller said. “For nine months, [he] was mom and dad and a lot of soldiers’ family members do that as well, so that’s very important to not only remember the soldiers but their families at home as well.”

Healther’s husband Scott said he and their two young children did what they could to make the time go by.

“We just tried to stay busy,” he said. “We ran around and I just tried to keep their mind off it as much as I could and when the topic came up, we discussed it and they understood.”
Heather said she’s ready to focus on the family, cook and celebrate a late Thanksgiving. She also plans to get some Christmas shopping done with her mom.

Sgt. Kirsten Rodriguez said it’s surreal to be back.

“I feel a little weird,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a surreal feeling being home but I enjoyed being over there 100 percent and then being back home is a lot better being back home than there.”

Kirsten’s father, Rey Rodriguez, said the family is proud she achieved sergeant and served the country, but there were apprehensions when the 22-year-old decided to join the service.

“I was proud of her,” Rey said. “Her mom on the opposite was kind of concerned about that but our kids are able to make their own decisions, and that’s what she wanted to do and follow her heart and I’m pretty proud of that.”

Kirsten, who will take the month off before focusing on school to become a veterinarian, said the service is a great choice for young people.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Kirsten said. “I don’t regret anything. It was a good deployment. I mean even you do get deployed, sometimes you don’t and you do your job and you’re out of the service and you get all of the benefits and it’s really good.”

Kirsten said she’s ready for a big family Christmas and to get back visiting with family.

The soldiers hail from Mode, Edinburg, Havana, Springfield, Gurnee and Chicago.

By Greg Bishop/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – The mission is both abroad and at home for the Illinois National Guard, which is sending off six soldiers to support missions in Afghanistan.

The overseas mission has six of the Guard’s Bilateral Embedded Staff Team, or BEST, members headed to work alongside their Polish counterparts in the Middle East for six months. One of the soldiers, Lt. Col. Ron Bonesz, just had a baby.

“The due date was today,” Ron’s wife, Blair, said on Thursday. “So we induced early so he could see the little guy.”

Ron Bonesz was relieved he could spend some time with his newborn son before he deployed.

“I’m very grateful that I had a chance to witness the birth of my son,” Ron said. “I know that he’s well, my wife’s well, my daughter is also well. It’s a great feeling. I can go overseas, knock this mission out, and get back home to them as soon as possible.”

Ron and other team members leave just before the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, but he said his wife and kids will have each other and other family members around during the holidays.

Illinois National Guard Maj. Gen. Richard Hayes said while Ron is overseas ensuring a successful mission abroad, the Guard’s Family Readiness Program ensures things are taken care of at home.

“It’s basically the families,” Hayes said of the 100 members of the program. “It provides a venue for them to get together because they clearly have many things in common and this support network is there to do one thing: make sure the family is taken care of.”

Blair hopes the program helps where Ron can’t while he’s overseas.

“We have a pretty great partnership,” she said. “He does his things and I do mine, and when he’s not there I don’t necessarily know how to do his things. So that’s kind of where I hope they will step in to help with the things that are not my forté.”

Hayes said the program is extremely important.

“When the soldier is deployed overseas, they get distracted if things aren’t going well at home,” Hayes said. “That puts their lives at risk, and it puts the lives of others around them at risk. So we do everything we can to reduce the burden whether it’s a financial burden, emotional burden.”

Ron said the program will give him peace of mind to focus on the mission and get back home to his family safely.

Bonesz and his team won’t be in the most hospitable climate.

“They’ll be in a base,” Hayes said. “They will travel out to advise and assist local security forces, so they’ll be out of the wire so-to-speak. It’s going to be risky every day. … It’s not tents, necessarily, but it is not the greatest. But they’re soldiers, they’ll do well.”

They will have access to modern communications, which Ron said is great for him to talk with Blair.

“Social media is great, the usage of cellphones has gotten a lot easier over there,” Ron said. “There is a multitude of ways that the soldiers can get in touch with their family members,” including video messaging services.

The guardsmen being deployed overseas are Maj. David Laughlin, Maj. Matthew Morse, Master Sgt. Anthony Hodge, Sgt. 1st Class Devon Moss, Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Garlisch and Bonesz.

They are from Normal, Carterville, McLean, Springfield and Homewood, Illinois, as well as Lorton, Virginia.

The BEST team is expected to return summer of 2018.

By WMBD-TV

PEORIA – A local company will build equipment for the U.S military.

Caterpillar has been awarded a five-year contract with the Department of Defense for commercial construction equipment. It’s expected to include delivery of a variety of machines across Caterpillar’s line of products.

A spokesperson for the company said this contract reinforces Caterpillar’s tradition of supporting our men and women in uniform with high quality equipment for their use in the field.

Hometown Military News for Dec. 16, 2016:

Specialized Springfield-based National Guard team returns from Afghanistan

SPRINGFIELD – Five Illinois Army National Guard soldiers who served in Afghanistan returned to Illinois Dec. 10 and were reunited with their families in time for the holidays.

The soldiers were part of the Bilateral Embedded Support Team (BEST) A-17, which mobilized in May. They deployed to Afghanistan with the Polish Land Forces in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

This unique mission allowed these Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers to deploy side-by-side with their Polish counterparts as part of Task Force White Eagle in support of NATO’s Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. The task force trained, advised and assisted the Afghan National Defense Security Forces throughout Afghanistan.

During the rotation, Task Force White Eagle conducted more than 400 direct advisory and operational missions with their Afghan counterparts. In addition to supporting the Polish Army, BEST A-17 also significantly enhanced the infrastructure and physical security, while improving the overall quality of life at their base in Bagram.

The BEST A-17 soldiers are from various parts of Illinois and were selected for the mission based on their experience, training and skills. Members of the team received both U.S. and Polish Military commendations and awards.

The soldiers returned to the airports nearest their home, to include Bloomington, Chicago and Springfield. As a result, no formal welcome home ceremony was held.

1144th Transportation Motor Transport Battalion cases its colors and celebrates its rich history

DELAVAN – The 1144th Transportation Motor Transport Battalion cased its colors during a ceremony on Friday, Dec. 9, in Delevan marking the unit’s inactivation.

The battalion’s lineage dates back to 1897, where it was organized as as a Cavalry squadron in Springfield. During its long history, the unit would serve as Cavalry, Armor, Transportation, Quartermaster and then back to Transportation. The unit saw action in the Mexican border campaign, World War I, and World War II as a Cavalry unit. It was converted to a tank battalion before serving in the Korean War. It served as a Transportation Battalion in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During World War I its Soldiers fought in the St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Lorraine campaigns. In World War II, its Soldiers would fight in the Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe and Rhineland campaigns. For this service it earned the French Croix de Guerre with Palm and streamers embroidered with Moselle, Caen-Falaise, and Fourragere. During Operation Iraqi Freedom it would earn a Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Brig. Gen. Michael Zerbonia, the Assistant Adjutant General – Army of the Illinois National Guard and Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard, presided over the ceremony. Lt. Col. Eric Smith, the Commander of the 1144th Transportation Motor Transport Battalion, cased his unit’s colors with the battalion’s command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Jeff Sima. The 108th Sustainment Brigade Commander, Col. Rodney Boyd, presented both Smith and Sima with Meritorious Service Medals for their leadership of the battalion.

Other distinguished military guests included Lt. Col. Jason Osberg, the 108th Sustainment Brigade deputy commander, Illinois Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Bowman, and 108th Sustainment Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Lester Edwards.

Distinguished civilian guests included State Rep. Tim Butler of the 87th District of Illinois and Delavan Mayor Liz Skinner.

Click here to see the Hometown Military News archive.

By Eric Stock

OTTAWA – U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger is collecting holiday cards for local veterans.

“The holidays are right around the corner and many of us are gearing up to spend time with our family, friends, and loved ones,” Kinzinger said. “It’s a time to give thanks and share in the joys of the freedoms we enjoy here in America. It’s important to think about our men and women serving overseas and all those who have served to protect and defend this great nation.”

Kinzinger, an Air Force pilot who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said anyone who would like to mail or drop off a card to his office at 628 Columbus St., Ste. 507, Ottawa, by Dec. 8 and he will take to the Illinois Veterans Home in LaSalle Dec. 12.

“As a community, this is one way we can give thanks to our veterans, and show our unwavering support and appreciation,” Kinzinger said.

Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.

Hometown Military News for Nov. 18, 2016:

New Military Museum Director aims for growth

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois National Guard celebrates a rich history that spans more than 290 years and that history is housed and presented to the public free of charge in a century-old limestone building nicknamed “The Castle” situated just north of the Illinois National Guard’s headquarters, Camp Lincoln, in Springfield.

In the modest space within the walls of the castle, the Illinois State Military Museum rotates exhibits that tell the story of the Soldiers and Airmen of Illinois.

Telling the storied history of the Illinois Guard takes dedicated people, people who have a love for history, and a love for the story of the Illinois Guard. Recently, the state hired a new director for the museum, a Chesnut native who served more than 30 years in the Illinois Army National Guard, Col. (ret.) Paul Fanning. He has no academic background in history, but he does have a love for the organization that he said gave him more opportunities to do great things than anywhere else. He also possesses something else: an expert ability to manage.

Whether it was implementing processes as the Director of Information Management, fostering a stronger partnership with Poland as the Director of Strategic Plans and Policy, implementing readiness workshops as the Military Personnel Officer that resulted in a 110 percent strength rating for the ILARNG, or leading the 129th Regional Training Institute to achieve Institution of Excellence ratings across all of its Army Training and Doctrine courses, Fanning has effected organizational change. Now, as the director of the Illinois State Military Museum, he’s looking to do the same.

Where does all of this management and leadership fit in at the museum? Growth.

“I’m here to manage the museum and its operations,” said Fanning. “I have a curator, Bill Lear, who manages the history aspect and the displays. My job is to bring organization to that and help the museum grow.”

With all of his organizational knowledge and propensity for process improvement, Fanning sees things a little differently than most. He said he sees the museum and its staff as a unit that has the same basic organizational needs.

“I look to see how we do business and I take that business and look to see how we can improve upon that,” said Fanning. “We need to shape the exhibits, expand and grow our events. I kind of see the museum as a unit, and I think we need to develop and grow in that manner.”

Fanning’s new position is a state position under the Illinois Department of Military Affairs and retired colonel James Smith, the department’s Chief of Staff, has worked with Fanning since he was a captain and said there couldn’t be a better position for a retired servicemember like Fanning.

“Paul is passionate and dedicated and has an absolute love for the Illinois Guard and its soldiers,” said Smith. “He comes to work every day for the Soldiers and the Guard, regardless of his rank, everything he does is to make us better.”

Smith says the museum is a team, a team full of volunteers as well as paid employees and Fanning is the right person to lead that team.

“Regardless of where they come from or whether or not they’re paid employees or volunteers, the team at the museum has the singular goal of telling the Guard’s story,” said Smith. “A former colonel and an individual that’s spent more than 30 years serving this organization is the best person to tell our story and look both back and forward as history is supposed to do.”

Smith also said Fanning brings a new relevancy to the museum with his recent retirement from the Illinois Army National Guard. He said Fanning can talk directly to the current directors, the lieutenant colonels and colonels, and have meaningful conversations about not only the future of the museum, but how the decisions of the organization can impact the museum’s future.

Fanning says he sees a lot of potential for growth in the museum’s future.

“We’re going to start expanding our outreach program to bring more visitors to the museum,” said Fanning. “Our living history volunteers are a huge part of the museum and its potential for growth. We’re going to work with county history museums and local organizations and coordinate some of our events, and we’ll send our historians out to tell more people about what we have at the museum.”
Fanning said he is also working with officials and the organization to expand and possibly add space for more exhibits.

“Right now there’s a limited current history being displayed at the museum due to space,” said Fanning. “If we can get some space, not by adding to the current building, but by expanding, we can bring that history to the forefront. We can display more of the Operation Enduring Freedom history and our partnership with Poland and we can minimize exhibit turnover and bring some more relevant history to the public.”

Fanning said he is excited about his new position and is looking forward to the future.

“I look forward to this,” said Fanning. “I’m excited, I see it as a great opportunity to continue to serve and help our museum grow.”

Click here to see the Hometown Military News archive.

Hometown Military News for Nov. 11, 2016:

New unit brings storied history back to Quincy

QUINCY – When the 126th Quartermaster Company uncased its colors Nov. 6 at the Illinois Army National Guard readiness center in Quincy, it also uncased the history of the 126th Service and Supply Company, the only Illinois Army National Guard unit to deploy to Vietnam.

The 126th’s story began in 1924, when the Medical Detachment, 130th Infantry Regiment was federally recognized in Quincy. That unit served in the Pacific theater during WWII and was reorganized and redesignated six times before becoming the 126th Service and Supply Company Feb. 1, 1968 and deploying to Vietnam May 13, 1968. Eventually, the 126th would become the 1844th Transportation Company before becoming the 126th Quartermaster Company.

Cpt. Alison Jacobs of Rochester, commander of the newly formed 126th Quartermaster Company, said it was important for the young Soldiers to recognize and embrace the history.

“It’s a big deal for the unit,” said Jacobs. “The 126th is the only company activated for Viet Nam; it’s important to carry on that lineage, not only for the soldiers, but for the state of Illinois to be able to build on that history.”

Jacobs said there was some resistance to the change at first, but once they brought former members of the 126th to tell their stories to the soldiers, they were ready to make the transition. Jacobs also said it was important to involve the veterans in the reflagging of the unit.

Maj. Shawn Nokes of Springfield, Illinois, executive officer for the 232nd Combat Service Support Battalion based in Springfield, Illinois, officiated the ceremony. Nokes told members of the new unit to be proud of their lineage and thanked the veterans of the 126th for sharing that history.

“You young Soldiers inherit a great history from these men sitting here today,” said Nokes. “Be proud of that history, take it with you, by doing so, you build a tradition and honor those that came before you.”

Jerry Roush of Quincy, was one of the men who deployed to Viet Nam with the 126th and one of about 30 former members that joined the unit to celebrate the return of the 126th to Quincy. Roush brought the unit’s original guide-on with him and stood in formation with the new Soldiers during the ceremony.

Roush said the men of the 126th were overjoyed when they heard the Guard was bringing their unit’s history back to the state.

“It’s just awesome,” said Roush. “The 126th has such a grand history and Quincy is its home.”

Roush said standing in formation brought back many memories.

“Seeing all these young Soldiers standing here makes me proud,” said Roush. “I know that they’ll carry on the traditions of the 126th and add to the history.”

Spc. Andrew Balzer of Camp Point said he was unaware of the unit’s history before talking to some of the veterans who joined them for the ceremony, but found it inspiring.

“After talking to some of the former members of the 126th I learned a lot of interesting history,” said Balzer. “It didn’t seem like a big deal before today, but after talking to the veterans, it’s really cool to be taking on that history and lineage.”

Jacobs said the newly formed 126th Quartermaster Company will be a shower, laundry and clothing repair unit, the only unit of its kind in the Illinois National Guard. The unit recently received its new equipment and Jacobs said the Soldiers were excited to get out there and do their new jobs.

“I’m really excited to be here, I love this unit and the people in it,” said Jacobs. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to exercise our equipment. We just got it last month and I know the Soldiers are excited to get hands-on time with it too.”

Mahomet native Tim Newman promoted to lieutenant colonel

MAHOMET – Timothy Newman, of Mahomet, was promoted to lieutenant colonel Nov. 4 in Urbana, at the Urbana National Guard Armory.

Newman has 17 years of honorable service, and is the commander of the 766th Brigade Engineer Battalion based in Decatur.

Click here to see the Hometown Military News archive.

Hometown Military News for Nov. 4, 2016:

Mahomet soldier retires after 35 years of service

By Sgt. Christopher Garibay, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

MAHOMET – A moment of soul searching and the need to make a car payment prompted a young man to serve more than three decades in the Illinois Army National Guard.

Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph R. Briggs of Mahomet, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Sullivan, retired Oct. 28 after 35 years of service.

Briggs said he envisioned a six-year career when he enlisted Feb. 10, 1981. However, his wife had other plans for his one weekend a month with the Illinois Army National Guard.

“My wife talked me into staying because it made our car payment,” said Briggs.

Not long after his second enlistment, Briggs earned a full-time position with the Guard. “After I got the full-time job in 1989, it changed my outlook and motivation.”

Those who know Briggs can attest to his commitment to soldiers in his unit. One example took place early in his career when Briggs ensured a young Soldier remained in the Guard after feeling disillusioned.

“He helped me through some very difficult times when I was a young Illinois National Guard Soldier,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Bryan J. Crowder of Jacksonville, battalion command sergeant major of the 232nd Combat Service Support Battalion in Springfield.

“I was initially promised a bonus based on a three-year reenlistment, went to take the physical, only to find out I wasn’t eligible. I was ready to say ‘forget this,’ but Briggs talked me off the bridge.”
Crowder said he thanks Briggs for convincing him to stay in the Guard. Crowder said that moment was pivotal in his life and he has since established a successful career in the Guard.

“He has always been there for soldiers and he has cared a great deal about them,” said Crowder. “He’s been a great friend and mentor for the past 20 years of my career.”

Doug Hanner of Oakwood, a retired sergeant first class who worked with Briggs for 13 years, echoed Crowder’s thoughts, noticing a difference in Briggs when he went full-time.

“When he went from a traditional Soldier to a full-timer his entire demeanor changed,” said Hanner. “He knew he would retire a Soldier so he was always conscientious of what he did and how he did it. He was a top-notch Soldier the whole time.”

Hanner said Briggs was a role model to many of the Soldiers he interacted with in the unit.

Over the course of his career, Briggs deployed to Germany, Italy, Louisiana and Afghanistan. He assisted in flood relief efforts during hurricane Katrina and deployed as a company first sergeant to Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom in 2008-2009.

“My crown jewel is returning with all 87 of my soldiers when I was downrange [in Afghanistan],” said Briggs. “That, followed by time as the readiness (noncommissioned officer) and the family we built in Bravo Company, 634th Brigade Support Battalion.”

During the past three decades, Briggs said he has seen many changes in the way the Army operates.

“Back in the 80s, we never worried about being deployed, the equipment was very old, but we tactically trained every time we went to the field,” he said.

Briggs said today’s soldiers should always be ready and seize opportunities to train and care for fellow Soldiers.

During Briggs’ retirement, he intends to work on his motorcycles, play with his grandchildren and spend time with his wife.

“I will be celebrating 30 years (of marriage) with my wife in a couple weeks and I think it’s time for us to enjoy our retirement.”

Click here to see the Hometown Military News archive.