MOUNT VERNON, IL (06/20/2011)(readMedia)-- The Illinois Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) unveiled a statue June 18 honoring female veterans in Mount Vernon. The statue, which shares the likeness of Illinois Army National Guard Soldier Maj. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates, was sculpted by Don Morris, a native of Flora. The statue depicts Duckworth standing adjacent to Revolutionary War hero Margaret Ludwig Hays, better known as Molly Pitcher.

"I am proud that America now finally realizes that her daughters are just as capable of fighting for liberty and freedom as her sons," said Duckworth.

In 2004, while co-piloting a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, Duckworth's aircraft was hit by a rocket propelled grenade fired by Iraqi insurgents. The explosion resulted in the loss of both her legs and extensive damage to her right arm. In 2006, the governor appointed her director of Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs, and in 2009 President Obama appointed her to serve as the Department of Veterans Affairs Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs in Washington, D.C.

Many people were on hand for the ceremony, including Congressman John Shimkus of the 19th Congressional District, numerous spectators, and a large contingent from the DAR, of which Duckworth is a member.

"I appreciate the fact that the state of Illinois (has) recognized women's service to the military," said Army Lt. Col. Natalie Northern, commander of the 633rd Theatre Gateway Personnel Accountability Team and a Springfield resident. Northern was deployed to Iraq the same time as Duckworth.

The ceremony was preceded by a parade that led to the Brehm Memorial Library, the site chosen by the DAR to house the veterans' memorial.

The memorial stands as a reminder of both the challenges faced and the strides women have made in the military.

"Women are rarely recognized, and as a woman, it's nice to be recognized," said Hallie Scott of Woodlawn. "It's nice that something big like this happens, (and) a big crowd from all over Illinois came here for people who are fighting for our country."

Duckworth said teamwork unites the country and makes the U.S. stronger.

During the ceremony Duckworth declared, "We are stronger as a nation when all of us participate, when it's not just men or women, or blacks or whites, when all of us participate together."

Photo 1: Photo by Spc. Brian Vorce, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment/ Illinois Army National Guard Maj. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates speaks at the statue unveiling June 18 in Mount Vernon. A statue sharing her likeness was uncovered at the ceremony.

Photo 2: Photo by Sgt. Charlie Helmholt, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment/ From left, Richard Groharing, the commander of the Illinois American Legion; Illinois Daughters of the American Revolution State Regent Luanne Frosch Bruckner; Maj. Tammy Duckworth; Mount Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley; Statue Sculptor Don Morris; Statue Architect Brian Edmison all stand before the new statue in Mount Vernon. The statue was unveiled June 18 and honors women veterans.

Photo 3: Photo by Sgt. Charlie Helmholt, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment/ Maj. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates is presented with a miniature replica of the Women Veterans Sculpture by Illinois Daughters of the American Revolution State Regent Luanne Frosch Bruckner and statue sculptor Don Morris. A statue bearing her likeness was unveiled in Mount Vernon June 18. The statue honors all women veterans for their sacrifice.

Story by Sgt. Charlie Helmholt and Spc. Brian Vorce. 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

For high resolution photos, please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at ngilstaffpao@ng.army.mil

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RIVER FOREST, IL (06/20/2011)(readMedia)-- Joshua Johnson, a resident of Port Byron, was named to the Honor's List for the Spring 2011 semester at Dominican University. Johnson is a graduate of Riverdale Senior High School.

To qualify for the prestigious Honor's List, students must achieve a semester grade point average of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale), based on a full-time enrollment of 12 credit hours.

RIVER FOREST, IL (06/20/2011)(readMedia)-- Kaitlin Cleppe, a resident of Bettendorf, was named to the Dean's List for the Spring 2011 semester at Dominican University. Cleppe is a graduate of Pleasant Valley Community High School.

To qualify for the prestigious Dean's List, students must achieve a semester grade point average of 3.8 (on a 4.0 scale), based on a full-time enrollment of 12 credit hours.

Founded in 1901, Dominican University is a comprehensive, coeducational Catholic institution offering bachelor's degrees through the Rosary College of Arts and Sciences and master's degrees through the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, the Brennan School of Business, the School of Education, and the Graduate School of Social Work. The university also offers a doctoral degree in library and information science. In the 2011 issue ofAmerica's Best Colleges, U.S. News & World Report ranked Dominican University in the top 20 of Midwest master's level universities. The magazine also ranked Dominican as one of three Great Schools at a Great Price in Illinois.

CANTON, MO. (06/16/2011)(readMedia)-- Sherrard, Ill., native Kirsten Sindelar was named to the Culver-Stockton College Dean's List for the spring 2011 semester.

To be named to an honors list, Culver-Stockton College requires students to meet high academic standards. President's List students have earned a 4.0 GPA and were enrolled in a minimum of 12 hours. Dean's List students have earned between a 3.5 and 3.99 GPA and were enrolled in a minimum of 12 hours, with no grade lower than a C. Honor Roll students have earned between a 3.2 and 3.49 and were enrolled in a minimum of 12 hours, with no grade lower than a C.

Culver-Stockton College is a private, liberal arts college located in Canton, Missouri.

On the web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Kirsten-Sindelar-named-to-Culver-Stockton-Colleges-Deans-List/2579548

MARSEILLES, IL (06/15/2011)(readMedia)-- Lt. Col. Jodi Padavana of Monroe Center, took command of the 44th Chemical Battalion in Galesburg June 14 at Marseilles Training Center.

Padavana served as the operations officer for the battalion in 2005 during the early stages of the 44th's mission as part of the Illinois National Guard's Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP).

She later served as the unit's executive officer and interim battalion commander taking the unit to Mascatauck, Ind., for a full-scale exercise.

Brig. Gen. Robert Pratt of Hopedale, commander of the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Chicago, spoke following the ceremony.

"Of the one percent of Americans who serve the military, fewer serve as officers and company commanders and even fewer as battalion commanders," said Pratt.

Padavana said she plans to continue the development of unit's mission and the Soldiers of the CERFP.

"I welcome the challenge and opportunity to serve as ... battalion commander," said Padavana. "My goal is to transform every Soldier into a valuable productive member of my team."

Padavana takes over for outgoing commander Lt. Col. Marc Schwarzkope of York, Penn., who will be the force management branch chief with Joint Force Headquarters with the Illinois National Guard.

photo 1,2) U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ Brig. Gen. Robert Pratt, of Hopedale and the commander of the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, passes the battalion colors to Lt. Col. Jodi Padavana of Monroe Center, who took command of the 44th Chemical Battalion in a ceremony June 14 at Marseilles Training Center.

Story by Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs