Hometown Military News: Sept. 11, 2015

Illinois Army National Guard
Maj. Gen. Richard J. Hayes Jr., the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, pins the Legion of Merit onto lapel of retired Illinois Army National Guard Col. Alexander Lawson during a ceremony at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois, Sept. 9. Lawson, of Springfield, Illinois served in the Illinois Army National Guard for 25 years. The award cited Lawson’s exceptionally meritorious service over the course of his career, which culminated as the Director of Information Management. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Robert R. Adams, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Hometown Military News for Sept. 11, 2015:

Retired Springfield soldier receives Legion of Merit

SPRINGFIELD – Retired Illinois Army National Guard Col. Alexander Lawson of Springfield was presented the Legion of Merit honoring 25 years of service in the Illinois Army National Guard at a ceremony on Camp Lincoln in Springfield on September 9.

The award cited Lawson’s exceptionally meritorious service over the course of his career, which culminated as the Director of Information Management. During his leadership, Illinois sustained a number one ranking for its Information Technology work for the last three years.

Lawson served as the commander for the 2nd Battalion 122nd Field Artillery in Chicago from 2010 to 2013.

Click here to see the Hometown Military News archive.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…