SPRINGFIELD, IL (09/25/2014)(readMedia)-- ORZYSZ, POLAND - Nearly 100 Soldiers with the Illinois Army National Guard's 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) and 224th Digital Liaison Detachment arrived in Poland, Sept. 24 to take part in a two-week training exercise, known as Anaconda 14, with Soldiers from Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and the Czech Republic.

"I think this is a great opportunity for the brigade," said Col. Mark Jackson, of Frankfort, Illinois, the 33rd IBCT commander. "It gives us a chance to further our partnership and strengthen our relationship with Poland. It also gives us a chance to build new relationships with the other countries."

EAST PEORIA, IL (02/24/2014)(readMedia)-- Soldiers and family members of the 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment (2-106th) gathered for the seventh annual cavalry ball at the Riverfront Conference Center in East Peoria, Ill., Feb. 22.

The evening began when the Draper Armor Leadership Award was presented to Troop B, 2-106th in Dixon, Ill., an award given to top cavalry units in the nation. Capt. Michael R. Kowalski of Chicago Heights, Ill., Troop B commander, retired 1st Sgt. Eric L. Brown of Dixon, Ill., former Troop B first sergeant and 1st Sgt. Kevin T. Guyot of Lindenhurst, Ill., current Troop B first sergeant, received the award on behalf of the troop.

"The Draper, as a troop award, really embodies how far we've come as a two-time deployed cavalry unit," Kowalski said. "This is a pretty big deal with the other brigades we were competing against."

Lt. Col. Wickliffe P. Draper established the award in 1924 as a means to competitively test the leadership of small cavalry units. Only armor companies and cavalry troops are eligible to receive the Draper Award.

"The unit has earned it," said Brown. "This troop has a history of camaraderie. A history of always working together. That is why they earned it."

Following the Draper Award presentation, retired Master Sgt. Allen J. Lynch of Gurnee, Ill., who received the Medal of Honor for actions while assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment in Vietnam Dec. 15, 1967, spoke to the squadron.

"It's great to be back with the cavalry," Lynch told the troopers. "It's nice to see all those Stetsons (the ceremonial headwear of the cavalry) in the audience."

Lynch spoke about the importance of training at all levels.

"When I got in my first firefight and my M-16 jammed, I don't remember fixing it," he said. "We had been so well trained at that point, I just fixed it without thinking."

Lynch also told the troopers never to allow one mistake to dictate a Soldier's career. He recalled an experience where one of his own Soldiers made a tragic mistake that cost the life of a close friend.

"After that, nobody wanted anything to do with John," said Lynch. "He had to earn his way back to being with us."

Lynch said when he left Vietnam, John had learned from his mistake and had been made a squad leader.

After his speech, Lynch was presented with a cavalry saber and plaque by Lt. Col. Mark Alessia of Sherman, Ill., the 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment commander.

"I wish I could ride a horse with this right now," Lynch said while holding the saber over his head.

Later in the evening Ashley Roux, Troop B family readiness group president, was inducted into the order of Saint Joan D' Arc for exceptional volunteerism to promote the moral and spirit of the cavalry.

The night concluded with seven Soldiers inducted into the order of Saint George. The order was established in 1986 to recognize the very best tankers and cavalrymen.

Those inducted into the order of Saint George included Staff Sgt. Travis Ellefritz of Pekin, Ill., a squad leader with Troop B; Staff Sgt. Kyle Bishop of Cherry Valley, Ill., Troop B readiness noncommissioned officer; Sgt. 1st Class Zachary MacGrath of Clinton, Ill., the former Troop B readiness noncommissioned officer; 1st Sgt. Eric Achuff of Kewanee, Ill., the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop (HHT), 2-106th first sergeant; 2nd Lt. William Leak of Normal, Ill., a platoon leader with Troop A, 2-106th; 1st Lt. Brad Yakle of Washington, Ill., a staff officer with HHT, 2-106th; and Capt. Michael Kowalski of Chicago Heights, Ill., Troop B commander.

After the order of Saint George was concluded, 1st Sgt. David Ziolkowski of New Lenox, Ill., Troop C, 2-106th first sergeant, was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for more than 21 years of meritorious service to both the 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment and 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment.

Once the formal ceremony concluded, the troopers and their families enjoyed a night of socializing and reminiscing.

BELLEVILLE, IL (09/17/2013)(readMedia)-- The daughter of fallen Illinois Army National Guard Soldier Staff Sgt. Joshua Melton was recognized by the Lindenwood University football team Sept. 14 at Lindenwood Stadium in Belleville. She was honored at half-time of the team's game against St. Francis.

Five-year old Aubrey Melton from Breese, Ill. and her family stood at midfield as the crowd cheered for her and honored her sacrifice to the nation. Her father was killed while serving with the Illinois Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan June 19, 2009. In addition to recognizing the Melton memory, the team contributed $1,000 to Aubrey's scholarship fund.

The team decided to honor Aubrey after retired Judge Annette Eckert, a faculty member of the university and wife of retired Illinois National Guard Adjutant General and current U.S. Rep., William Enyart, suggested they honor a local Gold Star family and mentioned the Melton family.

"We sought out to find a local cause," said Jeff Fisher, the head football coach. "Once she brought to me the actual situation, it was a no brainer."

The team contacted Staff Sgt. Joshua Lueker of Marion, Ill., the supply sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion 130th Infantry Regiment inMarion. Lueker had served as the casualty assistance officer for the Melton family and maintained contact with them following Melton's death.

The family expressed gratitude to the university and the team for honoring their loved one.

"I felt happiness that people are still remembering him as well as the other fallen Soldiers," said Andrea Verdeyen of Springfield, Ill., Melton's sister-in-law.

Melton's father, Mike Melton of Carlyle, Ill., echoed Verdeyen's words.

"I'm very proud," Mike said. "I'm glad there are still people out there who think about our boys who are over there and got lost or killed. There are people out there who still want to help."

Despite only being in kindergarten now, Aubrey said she plans to go to college to be a nurse like her mother.