WARSAW, POLAND (08/16/2013)(readMedia)-- Illinois National Guard Soldiers celebrated Polish Armed Forces Day in Poland with Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski, Polish military members and international military leaders in Warsaw, Aug. 15.

"This was an especially important year to honor the Polish military because it marks 20 years since we started our State Partnership Program with Poland," said Brig. Gen. Daniel M. Krumrei of Springfield, the Illinois National Guard Adjutant General. "Over the past 20 years Illinois Soldiers have established enduring relationships with Polish Soldiers and Airmen, working together and sharing expertise to strengthen our military capabilities."

Polish Armed Forces Day was first celebrated Aug. 15, 1923. The day commemorates the victory of Polish forces in the Battle of Warsaw during the Polish-Soviet War in 1920 and celebrates Poland's past and present-day Armed Forces.

To celebrate, Illinois Soldiers joined Komorowski in a morning mass at Warsaw's Church of Our Lady Queen of the Polish Crown, the field cathedral of the Polish Army. Komorowski then lead a ceremony and parade. Following the memorial ceremony, Illinois National Guardsmen joined multi-national military and diplomatic leaders in a reception at the Presidential Palace.

"While our mandate as the Illinois National Guard is to help our neighbor, protect our state, and defend our nation, these experiences help us to understand we do none of those things in a vacuum," said Krumrei. "These international events, and particularly our abiding relationship with Poland, better enables our Soldiers and Airmen to succeed and excel in any environment. We continue to challenge and be challenged, making us all better servicemembers and citizens of our state and our world."

The day prior was the culmination of a time-honored pilgrimage, which has been celebrated by Catholics for centuries in Poland. Seven Illinois Soldiers walked 137 miles from Warsaw to Czestochowa in 10 days. They joined approximately 770 other military members who included Polish, German, Lithuanian and Latvian Soldiers.

Many of the Illinois National Guard Soldiers who participated in the pilgrimage represented the Illinois National Guard's chaplain corps.

The Polish Land Forces chaplain was also present to ensure the spiritual well-being of the Soldiers along the pilgrimage.

"This is a priceless opportunity for both sides," said Col. Marek Karczewski, Polish Land Forces chaplain. "Our partnership is a very needed cooperation, but most importantly we share experiences with each other and continue to learn from each other."

Karczewski plans to visit Illinois next month for a chaplain exchange with Illinois National Guard chaplains. They will exchange best practices and lessons learned regarding resiliency, reintegration and family programs.

The Illinois National Guard State Partnership with Poland began in 1993. Over the past 20 years thousands of Illinois National Guard members have participated in exchanges with Polish military and civilian organizations. Beginning in 2003, Illinois servicemembers have deployed with Polish Armed Forces in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. There have been numerous military exchanges highlighting C-130 maintenance program exchanges, reserve force information exchanges, pre-deployment activity, as well as many other leadership building events. The program averages more than 25 bilateral events annually with Poland.

DES MOINES–Gov. Terry E. Branstad today received word that President Obama approved his request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for 10 counties impacted by June severe weather.

The counties included in the declaration are: Allamakee, Benton, Buchanan, Butler, Cedar, Clayton, Delaware, Howard, Jones and Winneshiek.

The Governor sent the request for the declaration on July 18 in response to significant damage that was caused by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that began June 21 and continued through June 28, 2013. This is the state's fourth Presidential Disaster Declaration for 2013.

The declaration by the President will provide federal funding to the declared counties under the Public Assistance Program. A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance puts into motion long-term federal recovery programs, some of which are matched by state programs, and designed to help public entities and select non-profits. Public Assistance funds may be used for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities and may include debris removal, emergency protective measures, repair of damaged public property, loans needed by communities for essential government functions and grants for public schools.

The Governor also received notification that the Presidential Disaster Declaration includes funding to conduct hazard mitigation activities for the entire state. With this funding, Iowa will be able to minimize the impact of future disasters by taking steps now to strengthen existing infrastructure.

This Presidential Disaster Declaration is the 18th Major Presidential Disaster Declaration Iowa has received since March 2007.

CARBONDALE - Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will rededicate the historic Old Lincoln Courtroom and Museum in Beardstown before traveling to Galesburg where President Obama will speak to residents about the economy.

"The courthouse in Beardstown is an important historic site, and we need to continue to preserve it for future visitors to the Beardstown area," said Simon, a former prosecutor. "Tourism is just one tool we can use to help support local economies, and I look forward to hearing President Obama outline his plan for economic growth."

The Lincoln Courtroom and Museum is housed in the former Cass County Courthouse that was built in 1844, and it was the location of "Almanac Trial" in which Abraham Lincoln defended Duff Armstrong two years before being elected as president.

The Old Lincoln Courtroom & Museum Commission, which operates the courtroom, recently completed a major audio/video project funded entirely through private donations. As a result of the work, English and Spanish language videos playing on new monitors will teach visitors about exhibits and the building itself.

Later, Simon will join President Obama at Knox College where he will kick off a series of speeches that outline an economic plan focused on fighting for America's middle class.

Wednesday, July 24 

EVENT: Lincoln Courtroom and Museum rededication

TIME: 8:30 a.m.

PLACE: Beardstown Courthouse, corner of Third and State Streets, Beardstown, IL 62618

EVENT: President Obama: Fighting for America's Middle Class

TIME: 11:30 a.m.

PLACE: Knox College Memorial Gym, 2 East South Street, Galesburg, IL 61401

NOTE: Media credentials via the White House will be required.

DES MOINES, IA (07/22/2013)(readMedia)-- The following local residents have been named to Drake University's President's List for the Spring 2013 semester. Students must have a grade-point average of 4.0 to receive this honor.

Kyle Schrader of De Witt.

Taylor Odegard of Le Claire.

Drake is a private, independent university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an enrollment of approximately 3,400 full-time undergraduate students and 1,900 graduate students from 49 states and 50 countries. Drake University's mission is to provide an exceptional learning environment that prepares students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments, and responsible global citizenship. The Drake experience is distinguished by collaborative learning among students, faculty, and staff and by the integration of the liberal arts and sciences with professional preparation.