Regional Soldiers share camaraderie during competition

SPRINGFIELD, IL (07/02/2014)(readMedia)-- Illinois and Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers sweep the MAC IV RegionalsCAMP PERRY, Ohio. - National Guard soldiers from five states gathered at Camp Perry, Ohio this weekend to compete in the Marksmanship Advisory Council Region Four-Small Arms Championship.

Illinois teams took first and second place overall, while the Wisconsin team placed in third. Both states also claim an individual champion. The individual pistol champion hails from Illinois and the individual rifle champion calls Wisconsin home.

The first place team consists of Sgt. 1st Class Tracy Mix, Headquarters and Headquarters Co., 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade; Staff Sgt. Gabriel Cullers, HHC, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment; Sgt. 1st Class John Stockton, HHC, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team; and Spc. Joseph Miller, 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion; all of the Illinois National Guard. Stockton was also the individual pistol champion.

Sgt. Brandon Swanson, of the 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Brigade Combat Team, Wisconsin National Guard, not only took the top individual spot, but was part of the third place team.

Swanson is also a member of the All Guard Service Rifle Team, which means he represents the National Guard at military and civilian marksmanship competitions across the U.S.

Competitions aren't just about winning awards though. The ability to shoot accurately is a basic soldier skill. "I think fundamentally, it's the most important thing in the entire military," said Swanson.

Swanson uses his marksmanship skills to positively affect his fellow soldiers. He works with other units in his state to pass along those skills. He will soon be attending the Small Arms Master Gunner course in his efforts to become a marksmanship instructor.

Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Glover, of the Master Weapons Training Team, Ohio National Guard, also knows a little bit about training marksmanship skills. He has personally been shooting competitively since 2002, but has been part of the MWTT for the last six years.

Glover has spent a lot of time on the range training soldiers how to be an effective shooter. "We have done a lot of support for the pre- and post-mobilization training for deploying units," said Glover. "They bring us in to help them out on the live fire portion of their training."

The primary mission of Glover's team is to provide primary marksmanship instruction for all Ohio units. As the Assistant Noncommissioned-Officer-In-Charge of the team, it is something that he takes a lot of pride in, but he isn't too proud to learn some new tips at the competitions though.

"One of our guys has a different hold on his standing position where he gets his arm fully extended on the front hand guard," said Glover. "I think it has promise."

The Marksmanship Advisory Council Small Arms Championships occur each year around the nation. There are seven MAC regions in the U.S. that include all 54 states and territories. Ideally, each state conducts their own state matches to find the best teams to send to the MAC regional matches.

The matches are sponsored by the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center in North Little Rock, Ark. Col. Franklin D. Powell, commander of the NGMTC, feels competition is another training tool to strengthen our core of service members.

"These shooters need to take what they learn at these competitions back to their units," said Powell. "If they work hard out here and learn from other shooters, they can bring back a wealth of knowledge that can be invaluable to their units."

First time shooter, Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Zabinski, Alpha Company, Recruiting and Retention Battalion, Wisconsin National Guard, seems to agree.

"The shooting community is awesome," said Zabinski. "I can talk to anybody from any state and they're willing to give up any information whatsoever. We're all on the same team."

Third annual series of veterans town halls to coincide with July 4th holiday

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced that he will bring his Serving Those Who Served tour to Davenport and Clinton, TOMORROW, THURSDAY, July 3. These forums will give veterans and their families an opportunity to speak directly with Congressman Loebsack. Staff will also be on hand for veterans to seek assistance if they are having issues with the Veterans Administration, or any Federal agency. Loebsack will be joined by representatives from local Veteran Service Organizations, County Veterans Affairs Officers and other groups.

"As Iowans come together to celebrate the birth of our nation, we must take time to remember those men and women who fought for the freedoms we treasure. As a military parent and member of the House Armed Services Committee, I take great pride in Serving Those Who Served. I strongly believe that there is no greater responsibility we have as a nation than to ensure our servicemembers have the support, equipment, and training they need to safely carry out their mission and that we care for our veterans with the same dignity and honor with which they served. I look forward to meeting with veterans and their families to discuss issues important to them and provide any assistance my office can help with."

Loebsack will also hold forums in Muscatine, Iowa City, Ottumwa, Ft. Madison, Burlington, Newton, Knoxville and Washington. This is the third year that Loebsack has hosted town halls specifically for veterans around the July 4th holiday. Veterans, their families and media are invited to attend.

July 3rd Serving Those Who Served Tour

Davenport

10:00am

American Legion Post 26

1111 W 35th St

Clinton

1:00pm

Clinton County Administration Building

1900 N 3rd St

MONTICELLO, IOWA. -The Camp Courageous Board of Directors announced the election of the following officers and members for the 2014-2015 term. The new President of the Board of Directors is Margo Ahrendsen of Oxford Junction, IA.  Margo has been involved with Camp Courageous for nearly 25-years as an advocate and also as a parent of two campers.  Margo, and her husband, Monte, farm in the Oxford Junction area and she is active in a variety of organizations.

• Officers:

President: Margo Ahrendsen, Farmer, Camper Parent, and Advocate, Oxford Junction, IA

President-Elect: Jim Zimmerman, Principal Sacred Heart, Monticello, IA

Secretary: Mary Van Houten, Banquet Manager, Kirkwood Hotel, Cedar Rapids IA

Treasurer: Randy Faulkner, Pres. Hawkeye Dry Ice, Cedar Rapids, IA

• Those re-elected to a three-year term included:

Margo Ahrendsen, Farmer, Camper Parent, and Advocate, Oxford Junction, IA

Aaron Cook, Farmer, Winthrop, IA

Mary Johnson, Retired, Rockwell, Marion, IA

Jim Klinger, Retired, Cedar Memorial Funeral Homes, Cedar Rapids, IA

Trish Ohlson, GE Capital, Cedar Rapids, IA

Steve Supple, Farmer, Cascade, IA

Mary Van Houten, Banquet Manager, Kirkwood Hotel, Cedar Rapids IA

Dan Vorhies, Newton Sales, Monticello, IA

Chris Wiese, VP Sales LimoLink, Cedar Rapids, IA

• Other board members include :

Dr. John Bailey, Retired Medical Doctor, Anamosa, IA

Steve Carter, Branch Manager, Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group, Cedar Rapids, IA

Jim Foels, Farmer, Brooklyn, IA

Brian Gay, Retired Executive Director, Midwest Free Community Papers, Coralville, IA

Larry Greco, Retired Cedar Rapids Police Department, Solon, IA

Merlin Hulse, Retired Farmer, Tipton, IA

Bill Northup, Vice President for Advancement at Central College at Pella, , Des Moines, IA

Kay Pitlik, Retired Special Educator/Advocate/ Cedar Rapids, IA

Bob Thoeni, Retired owner of Bob's Pioneer Seed, Monticello, IA

Mag Welter, Retired Special Educator, Monticello, IA

Winnie Williams, of Monticello, Retired Fawn Creek Homes, Anamoso, IA

Rock Island, IL: Summer events take a tuneful turn next week at the Rock Island Library in July, with two new musical performers for children and families.

On Monday, July 7, the library will host a "Boogie in the Barnyard" dance party featuring musician, author, and chicken dancer John Duggleby. The all ages music event is from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street. Duggleby, of Madison, Wis., plays about 75 one-man shows per year, at venues ranging from coffeehouses, to senior centers, to libraries, to festivals. Along with his own material, his songbook ranges from Stephen Foster and George M. Cohan to Beatles and Bruce Springsteen, performed on guitar and who knows what else. Oh, and yes ... there will be chicken dancing, so warm up your wings!

Duggleby is the author of 10 books, including "Artist in Overalls, the Life of Grant Wood," and hundreds of magazine articles. He made his professional performing debut at age five at the Sunset Supper Club in Muscatine, Iowa, singing, "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" after the piano man bribed him with a nickel. As an adult his bio states he "labored in several underappreciated folk, 60s rock, Cajun, bluegrass and world music ensembles." John also leads drum circles and kitchen bands for groups including seniors, kids and disabled people, as well as hosting a monthly Songwriters Showcase at a Madison-area listening room.

On Thursday, July 10, award-winning children's musician Jeanie B! brings her rock and roll music show for kids and families to two Rock Island Library locations. The free performances are from 10:00 am to 11:00 am

The winner of the 2012 Parents' Choice for her CD, Sugar Buzz, and a 2006 Parent-to-Parent Adding Wisdom Award for Mommy Knows Best, Jeanie B! is a lifetime singer/songwriter who started playing guitar at age 12.  Her sound is kid's music for everyone, leaning toward rock and roll, folk and country. Her high-energy concerts have been called "Velcro for kids" and are packed with dancing, sing-a-longs and interactive music. She involves the audience with movement, dancing, singing, and jumping, providing a rocking good time for both parents and children.

For more information about Rock Island Summer Reading, visit any Rock Island Main, 30/31 or Southwest Branches, go to www.rockislandlibrary.org call 309-732-READ (7323.) A downloadable events calendar is available on the library website at the newsletters and calendars link.

Founded in 1872, the Rock Island Public Library serves the area through three locations, which include the Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branches, community outreach efforts, and online opportunities that provide resources to enhance personal achievement and stimulate the imagination.

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