Rock Island, Illinois - All vintage campers are invited to the first Vintage Camper Rally in the Quad Cities.  It will be held April 30 to May 3 near the Mississippi River at the scenic, award-winning Rock Island KOA, 2311 78^th Ave. W. in Rock Island, Ill.  Vintage campers include ones from 1970s, 1960s, 1950s, 1940s, and if there are any older ones still out there.

The Rock Island KOA includes two huge lakes so bring some fishing gear.  Fishing licenses are not necessary here.  And if the weather is nice, kayaks or paddle boats can be rented to get out on the water.  Other campground amenities include volleyball, mini golf, horse shoes, ladder ball, carpet ball, and walking/biking path.

The Vintage Camper Rally is a family event.  Dogs are also welcome, and there is a dog park across the street from the KOA.

Rally activities include campfires, potlucks, breakfast on Sunday morning, and a vintage camper tour on Saturday afternoon for the public.  Donations accepted from visitors as an entry fee to the park, and the money will go to the KOA Care Camp organization. www.koacarecamps.org

Please call the KOA directly at 309-787-0665 and ask for the Vintage Rally spaces.  Camping is $25 per night per unit.  We will be in a great area at the campground and will be placing 3 - 4 campers on their huge pull-through spaces. Each camper will have electric and water hookups. Sewer lines are available.
http://rockislandkoa.com/

For more information about the Vintage Camper Rally, visit http://vintagecamperlifestyle.com

SPRINGFIELD, IL (03/24/2015)(readMedia)-- March 25, marks National Medal of Honor Day. On July 12, 1862; President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill into law on behalf of Congress, creating the Army Medal of Honor. The bill stated, "to such noncommissioned officers and privates as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldier-like qualities during the present insurrection." In 1863, the medal became a permanent military decoration available to all ranks and branches of the American Armed Forces. Today, the President in the name of Congress presents the Medal of Honor. One hundred and thirteen of the more than 3,400-awarded medals belong to Soldiers of the Illinois National Guard, previously known as the Illinois Militia.

One hundred and fifty years ago this April 2 during the American Civil War, the fierce fighting in Petersburg, Va. drew to a close. Meanwhile fighting began at Fort Blakely, Ala. onApril 2 and lasted until the ninth. Grant's efforts at Petersburg led to the fall of Richmond, Va., the Confederate Capitol, effectively ending the war.

As the sesquicentennial of the Civil War enters the final month, the Illinois National Guard remembers and highlights the following Soldiers from those battles who received the Medal of Honor (MoH):

• Cpl. Abner P. Allen of Woodford County, Ill., entered service at Bloomington, Ill., enlisted in Co. K, 39th Ill. Inf., awarded MoH for action at Petersburg, Va., issued May 12, 1865.

• Pvt. John H. Callahan of Shelby County, Ky., entered service at Macoupin County, Ill., enlisted in Co. B, 122nd Ill. Inf., awarded MoH for action at Fort Blakely, Ala., issued June 8, 1865.

• Cpl. Patrick Highland of Ireland, entered service at Chicago, Ill., enlisted in Co. D, 23rd Ill. Inf., awarded MoH for action at Petersburg, Va., issued May 12, 1865.

• Cpt. Samuel McConnell of Belmont County, Ohio, entered service at Bushnell, McDonough County, Ill., enlisted in Co. H, 119th Ill., Inf., awarded MoH for action at Fort Blakely, Ala., issued April 9, 1865.

• Sgt. Thomas McGraw of Ireland, entered service at Chicago, Ill., enlisted in Co. B, 23rd Ill Inf., awarded MoH for action at Petersburg, Va., issued May 12, 1865.

• Cpt. Henry A. Miller of Germany, entered service at Decatur, Ill., enlisted in Co. B, 8th Ill. Inf., awarded MoH for action at Fort Blakeley, Ala., issued June 8, 1865.

• 1 Lt. Thomas H. L. Payne of Boston, Mass., entered service at Mendota, La Salle County, Ill., enlisted in Co. E, 37th Ill. Inf., awarded MoH for action at Fort Blakely, Ala., issued April 1, 1898.

• Cpt. Patrick H. Pentzer of Marion County, Mo., entered service at Gillespie, Macoupin County, Ill., enlisted in Co. C, 97th Ill. Inf., awarded MoH for action at Fort Blakely, Ala., issued October 9, 1879.

• Sgt. George F. Rebmann of Schuyler County Ill., entered service at Browning, Schuyler County Ill., enlisted in Co. B, 119th Ill. Inf., awarded MoH for action at Fort Blakely, Ala., issued June 8, 1865.

• Lt. Col. Victor Vifquain of Belgium, entered service in Saline County, Neb., served in 97th Ill. Inf., awarded MoH for action at Fort Blakely, Ala., issued June 8, 1865. (Awarded another MoH for action during the Spanish American War of 1898).

• Lt. Col. Loyd Wheaton of Calhoun County, Mich., entered service in Ill., served in 8th Ill. Inf., awarded MoH for action at Fort Blakely, Ala., issued January 16, 1894.

• Pvt. John Whitmore of Brown County, Ill., entered service in Camden, Schuyler County, Ill., enlisted in Co. F, 119th Ill. Inf., awarded MoH for action at Fort Blakely, Ala., issued June 8, 1865.

The Illinois State Military Museum displays the MoH belonging to 1st Sgt. Johannes S. Anderson of Finland. He entered service from Chicago, served in Co. B, 132nd Inf., 33rd Div., awarded the MoH for actions at Consenvoye, France during World War I. This medal is also one of the 113 presented to Illinois National Guard Soldiers. The museum is at 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd., Springfield, Ill. Museum hours are Saturday through Friday from 1:00 to 4:30.

View Online: http://readme.readmedia.com/Illinois-National-Guard-Recognizes-National-Medal-of-Honor-Day/10744121

Grace Marine will host a grand opening this weekend at their new LeClaire showroom at 905 Eagle Ridge Road (behind McDonalds). Carl Hoyt, Sr. and Jr. as well as sales and service staff will be on hand to welcome the quad city community to this new 7,000 sq. ft. facility on 2 acres of land.

"We know many people in the community were disappointed that there wasn't a boat show in January. We are excited to host this event, open to the public, to rev up excitement about the upcoming boating season and to show off our new facility in LeClaire," said Carl Hoyt, Jr., president of Grace Marine and Captain's Quarters Dry Stack Marina.

The public is invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, March 27 at 10 a.m. The grand opening will run Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Food and drinks will be served. Factory rebates, door prizes, giveaways plus activities and crafts for children promise something for everyone.

Family owned and operated for over 35 years, Grace Marine has become a boating leader in the Quad City area, Iowa, Illinois, and the Midwest. They stock Crownline, Skeeter, Alumacraft and Manitou boats as well as many parts and accessories. Grace Marine is also the only boat dealership in the area to offer pontoon rentals.

CLARKSVILLE, TN (03/23/2015)(readMedia)-- Austin Peay State University has awarded the Provost's Out-of-State Scholarship to high-achieving freshmen for the Fall 2015 semester.

William Fisher of Moline (61265)

Asher Johnson of Bettendorf (52722)

Brett Newberg of Moline (61265)