SPRINGFIELD, IL (09/27/2013)(readMedia)-- Story by Sgt. Robert R. Adams, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs and photos by MSgt. Shaun Kerr, 183rd Public Affairs

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Air Force Lt. Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau, visited Illinois National Guard leaders and servicemembers Sept. 26 at the 183rd Fighter Wing and Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Ill.

The visit started at the wing with a presentation of the newly-fielded UH-72 Lakota helicopter. After the presentation Lengyel spoke to Airmen of the 183rd over lunch about the upcoming challenges the National Guard will be facing, but also emphasized the Guard's importance to the safety and well-being of the U.S. Lengyel listened to their concerns to take back with him to the Pentagon.

"Anytime you can give your opinion to someone who can make a difference, I think it's important and you should," said Senior Airmen Alicia Braun of Springfield, Contract Specialist and Warranted Contracting Officer with the 183rd Fighter Wing in Springfield, Ill.

After lunch, Lengyel visited the wing's communications building and the Composite Repair Facility.

"It is important for generals to go out into the field and visit to stay in touch with the Airmen and Soldiers of the National Guard and see what they do on a daily basis," said Brig. Gen. William D. Cobetto of Hillsboro, the Assistant Adjutant General Air for the Illinois National Guard. "Also, it is important so they can continue to tell the story about our professionalism and to get the views of Airmen and Soldiers on new policies that have come out and how they affect their lives."

Later, Lengyel toured Camp Lincoln where he shook hands and thanked Soldiers at the Central Issuing Facility (CIF).

"It makes us feel good that we are being recognized for all the hard work that my team and I do," said Army Sgt. Christopher Behrends of Virginia, Ill., materials handler for CIF, with the 1544th Transportation Company of Paris, Ill.

Lengyel also visited the United States Property and Fiscal Office, the Combined Service Maintenance Shop, the Allied Trades Building and the Illinois State Military Museum.

"For General Lengyel to get to interact with the Soldiers and Airmen today was a great opportunity for him to see what we do and how we accomplish our mission." said Army Col Christopher J. Hall of Mount Carmel, Ill., United States Property and Fiscal Officer for the Illinois National Guard.

Hall said it is important for servicemembers to see the level of care and concern from senior leadership.

"When you go to the field and see the people that are actually doing the work and that they are motivated and focused on their jobs, it motivates me to go back to the Pentagon and keep the right focus," said Lengyen. "It really is about the Soldiers and the Airmen and enabling them to do their jobs."

Lengyrl said the National Guard is a part of the solution to improve the fiscal environment in the United States right now.

"We have proven ourselves over the past 12 years particularly since 9/11 that we are so well equipped and so well trained and ready to do all of our missions, which includes war-time mission and homeland defense and civil support mission," said Lengyel.

Focus on improving emergency medical responses in rural Illinois

SPRINGFIELD - September 27, 2013. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will meet with stakeholders and discuss the ongoing challenges faced by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel in rural communities as host of the upcoming 2013 Illinois EMS Summit in Springfield on Oct. 8. She is encouraging EMS experts and health care providers to register now through next week.

"Bringing together EMS experts and health care professionals from across the state is a terrific way to help ensure first-rate care for the rural residents of Illinois," said Simon. "By creating this important dialogue we can assist rural communities, make our emergency services even better and save lives."

The 2013 Illinois EMS Summit organizers tout the event as an opportunity for EMS providers and other rural stakeholders to come together to examine the conditions of rural EMS in Illinois. Participants will be able to discuss potential solutions for ongoing rural EMS challenges such as recruitment and retention of personnel, continuing education requirements and the misalignment of licensure with national standards.

Lt. Governor Simon is the chair of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council (GRAC). As GRAC chair, Simon is leading efforts to combat a shortage of emergency responders in many parts of the state, encourage additional EMS training, and improve various classifications and standards. GRAC also established an EMS subcommittee to enhance existing emergency response units, reduce ambulance response times in rural Illinois and make recommendations for improvements and enhanced access.

The summit will be held in Room 1105/1106 of Lincoln Land Community College's Trutter Center at 5250 Shepherd Rd., in Springfield. Those interested in participating can register online at www.siumed.edu/cme/tracker.html. The registration rate is $15 per person. The fee includes refreshments, lunch, and summit materials.

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Book about Actual Survivor of Custer's Last Stand Set for Revision

New Documents, Photos, Adds to Definite Proof

History Publishing Company has set June 25, 2014 for the pub date of Custer Survivor Revised, a revision of  John  Koster's  book Custer Survivor the book  that dispelled the myth  that all the troopers with Custer  died with him at the Last Stand. The announcement came from   Publisher Don Bracken who referred to President Kennedy's statement "The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie, deliberate, contrived and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive and unrealistic."

"It is unrealistic to think that there was not the probability of one survivor from that battle" Bracken said." At History Publishing Company It is reality we bring the serious researcher not the perpetuation of persistent illusion. We will continue to dispel myth whenever it gets in the way of reality, John Koster's new material will bring additional resource to the serious researcher."

Custer Survivor was published in January 2, 2010 and was acclaimed by Publisher's Weekly, Library Journal and numerous publications. It is also the resource used by the History Channel for its feature Custer's Last Man. It is available at Barnes and Noble bookstores and independent bookstores nationally. It is also available at BN.com, Amazon. Com and in e-books.

Contact: Thomas Ryan, info@historypublishingco.com. 845-398-8161