On November 11th, our country pauses to honor and thank the servicemen and women who have given of themselves to protect and serve our great country. And as we honor their sacrifices, so too do we recognize the contributions of their families, who remain active members of our communities while their loved ones serve in harm’s way.

In Iowa, this has special meaning to families of the Second Brigade Combat team. Though most of the brigade returned home this summer, some of their fellow soldiers remain at medical centers across the country. We hope for their speedy recovery and prepare for their return.

In the past year, Congress took an important step toward helping our veterans by unanimously passing a 3.6 percent cost of living adjustment. Starting in 2012, those with service-related disabilities, those who receive survivor benefits and others who have earned benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, will receive their first increase to the cost of living adjustment since 2009.

This year also saw steps taken by Congress to address veterans with special needs and disabilities. For example, I have cosponsored legislation to assure that the VA allow service dogs into hospital facilities. And once the Andrew Connolly Veterans’ Housing Act is passed, it will provide specifically adapted housing assistance to individuals residing temporarily in housing owned by family members. I am pleased with the progress we have made with veterans who are disabled, but we still have vast improvements to make to ensure all service members are cared for properly during and after their time in uniform.

I also continue to support efforts to ensure that veterans and their families receive the benefits that they deserve. That is why I am the proud cosponsor of legislation that would repeal the “Widow’s Tax” for the survivors of our nation’s veterans and another bill that would allow for the full “concurrent receipt” of DOD and VA benefits. This and other legislation will help ensure that the American people fulfill the obligation that we have to those have given so much to our country.

Finally, I am very pleased that President Obama is fulfilling his campaign promise of pulling all our troops out of Iraq – an overdue step that I have long supported. The Iraqis are now in charge of their own fate and while our brave young men and women have performed with the highest valor, bravery and professionalism in Iraq, it is time for them to come home.

Unfortunately, this year our country lost the last veteran to serve during World War One, the war for which Veterans Day was first commemorated. For him, and for all servicemen and women young and old, we honor all you have done and we thank you.

CHICAGO – November 3, 2011. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today pledged to work with state agencies and Scott Air Force Base leadership to identify available resources for 110 civilian employees whose positions at the military facility are being eliminated.

Simon, who visited the base in September, learned of the cuts Wednesday evening from Col. Michael Hornitschek, commander of the 375th Air Mobility Wing at Scott Air Force Base. As chair of the state’s Interagency Military Base Support and Economic Development Committee (IMBSEDC), Simon offered to work with Col. Hornitschek to identify resources that could help the displaced individuals and the base.

“Scott Air Force Base is an economic engine in Illinois, and I am disappointed that the Air Force had to make this decision,” Simon said. “As a native of Troy, a community near Scott Air Force Base where many citizens are employed by the base, I understand the social and economic impact these changes will have in the Metro East region and beyond. The state will use its resources to help get displaced workers back on the job.”

Scott Air Force Base announced that 321 positions will be eliminated in response to a Department of Defense directive to freeze civilian job growth. Of those 321 positions, 122 were already vacant, 49 are held by employees who will voluntarily retire or separate from federal service by the end of December, and 40 are employees who will be moved from eliminated positions into other positions. This leaves 110 eliminated, occupied positions with employees who have not applied for incentive programs or for which no matching vacancy has been identified at this time, according to the base.

As chair of the IMBSEDC, Simon is visiting each of the state’s military installations to learn about the base’s operations, their impact on the state economy and relationship with local communities. The committee was established in 2005 in response to nationwide base closures, and it continues to make recommendations to local, state and federal policymakers on retention, realignment and reuse efforts.

Volunteers will gather to honor legacy of Dubuque veteran by “paying it forward” to Veterans’ Freedom Center

Waterloo, IA – On Wednesday, November 9th in Dubuque, volunteers will gather to observe the first ever Andrew Connolly Day of Service to honor the legacy of Dubuque native and Iowa National Guard veteran Andrew Connolly, who never stopped urging others to “pay it forward” in every aspect of their lives.

Before he passed away on August 26, 2011, Andrew Connolly could often be found at Dubuque’s Veterans’ Freedom Center, a place close to his heart.  That’s why, on November 9th beginning at 8:30am, volunteers will “pay it forward” by donating their time to help clean up and prepare the new home of the Veterans’ Freedom Center at 2245 Kerper Blvd. in Dubuque.

“Andrew’s life was committed to serving others,” Braley said.  “Whether he was with his wife, Jenny, or son, Brody, or serving overseas in Iraq, or advocating on Capitol Hill on behalf of other disabled veterans, Andrew led by example.  The mantra he often repeated was ‘pay it forward.’

“That’s why on November 9th we’re going to ‘pay it forward’ to the Dubuque Veterans’ Freedom Center to launch the first ever Andrew Connolly Day of Service.  I hope this day grows in scope and significance from this point forward – it’s a fitting tribute to a man who was so focused on helping others despite a life that dealt him a very challenging hand.”

The late Andrew Connolly served multiple overseas tours with the Iowa National Guard, including a combat tour in Iraq.  Andrew was diagnosed with spinal cancer after his Iraq tour.  As the disease progressed Andrew lost the use of his legs and lost dexterity in his hands.  His family utilized a Veterans Administration housing grant to build a new home that helped Andrew maintain his independence until he passed away.

Braley worked with Jenny Connolly, the Freedom Center, and local groups to organize the day of service.  Braley will volunteer his time to renovate the Veterans’ Freedom Center and share Andrew Connolly’s legacy, including the Andrew Connolly Veterans’ Housing Act, a bill Braley introduced in May that expands grant programs for permanently disabled veterans to remodel their homes and make them more disability-accessible.

Interested members of the public are welcomed to volunteer their time.  If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact the Dubuque Veterans’ Freedom Center at (563) 845-0034.  Volunteers are encouraged to bring any painting materials they own – brushes, paint rollers, etc.  Only limited amounts will be available at the Freedom Center, although paint will be provided.

Wednesday November 9th, 2011

8:30am -               Andrew Connolly Day of Service

12:00pm               New Veterans’ Freedom Center

2245 Kerper Blvd.

Dubuque, Iowa

*Interested volunteers should contact the Veterans’ Freedom Center at (563) 845-0034 to RSVP their attendance.*

**Volunteers are encouraged to bring any painting materials they own – brushes, paint rollers, etc.  Only limited amounts will be available at the Freedom Center, although paint will be provided.**

Nearly 20 Soldiers Return Oct. 28 After Deploying As an Embedded Training Team

BLOOMINGTON, IL (10/25/2011)(readMedia)-- A homecoming ceremony is scheduled for approximately 20 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers with Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST) A7. The ceremony for BEST A7 will be Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. at the Bloomington National Guard Armory, 1616 S. Main St. in Bloomington.

The team was mobilized in January. It deployed to Poland for approximately two months to train with the Polish Land Forces before departing for Afghanistan. The unique mission allows Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers to train and deploy side-by-side with their Polish counterparts. The Soldiers are from various parts of Illinois and were selected for the mission based on their training and skills.

The team provided operational, intelligence, logistical, communications, engineering and planning support to the ninth rotation of Polish Forces to Afghanistan. The task force it supported was composed of almost 4,000 Polish and U.S. forces assisting more than 9,000 Afghan security forces in one of the largest provinces in eastern Afghanistan.

The team completed several ongoing construction projects designed to improve the safety and expand the reach of all security forces in the Ghazni Province.

The Soldiers also established development and transition programs for several of the less violent districts.

Most of the team participated in convoy and combat operations supporting Polish and Afghan Forces.

News media attending the event should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. For more information call the Public Affairs Office at 217-761-3569.

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