June 8 Ceremony Recognizes 633rd Theater Gateway Personnel Accountability Team

SPRINGFIELD, IL (06/04/2013)(readMedia)-- Approximately 10 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers will be recognized June 8 by the National Guard Bureau Freedom Salute Campaign for their sacrifice and service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The ceremony for the 633rd Theater Gateway Personnel Accountability Team based in Springfield will be 10 a.m. at Camp Lincoln; 1301 MacArthur Blvd. in Springfield.

The Soldiers mobilized in June 2012 and deployed to Kuwait. The 633rd was the first National Guard unit mobilized to provide operational control over the Theater Gateway at Ali Al Salem, Kuwait.

Soldiers were responsible for the initial reception, staging and onward movement of personnel deploying to the Central Command area of responsibility (CENTCOM AOR). The 633rd also coordinated the reception, lodging and movement of personnel from all branches for the rest and recuperation leave, emergency leave, and temporary duty in the CENTCOM AOR.

The team processed more than 40,000 deploying or redeploying troops. They also processed more than 35,000 individuals participating in the Theater Rest and Recuperation Leave program and issued more than 1,200 identification cards.

The Freedom Salute Campaign program is a small way to show these patriotic citizen-Soldiers, their families and employers how much their sacrifice is appreciated. On behalf of the National Guard Bureau, the Illinois Army National Guard will present each eligible Soldier with an encased American flag, as well as a sequentially-numbered

commemorative coin, certificate of appreciation and lapel pin. Families will also receive items recognizing their support and sacrifice.

The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest Army National Guard recognition endeavors in history. It is designed to publicly acknowledge Army National Guard Soldiers and those who supported them while deployed.

News media attending the event should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony and should notify the Public Affairs Office by 3 p.m., June 7 to be granted access onto Camp Lincoln. For more information call the Public Affairs Office at 217-761-3569.

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Quad Cities pulls one-half game ahead of Beloit into second place before series with Cedar Rapids

BELOIT, Wis. (JUNE 3, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits pitchers Colton Cain and Mike Hauschild combined to limit the Beloit Snappers to just one run, and third baseman Rio Ruiz drove in first baseman Jonathan Singleton for both runs in a 2-1 victory at Pohlman Field Monday night.

After winning three of four games in Beloit, the River Bandits (32-24) pulled one-half game ahead of the Snappers (32-25) for second place in the Midwest League Western Division. Quad Cities had fallen out of second place after losing to Beloit at home on May 19.

Beloit scored its only run of the night in the second inning against Cain, as right fielder John Wooten drew a two-out walk and scored on a Ryan Delgado double that dropped just inside the right-field line. Cain worked five innings and allowed one run or fewer for a fifth straight outing. He allowed two hits to put runners at first and second base in the fifth inning but got two ground balls to end the threat.

Singleton and Ruiz put Quad Cities on the board in the sixth inning, as right-hander Derek DeYoung issued a one-out walk to Singleton and allowed a double by designated hitter Jesse Wierzbicki. With runners at second and third base and one out, Ruiz flied to left fielder Ryan Mathews, bringing in Singleton with the tying run against DeYoung, who allowed four hits through the first six innings.

Hauschild (4-0) started the bottom of the sixth inning with a 1-1 tie and got the first four batters he faced before allowing consecutive singles by Wooten and Delgado. But he got second baseman Christopher Bostick to hit a ground ball that shortstop Carlos Correa charged and threw on the run for the second out. With runners at second and third, left fielder Ryan Mathews lined toward deep left field, but Jordan Scott made a running catch to end the inning and preserve a 1-1 tie.

In the eighth inning, Singleton grounded a ball past a shifted defense down the third-base line for a double with one out against right-hander Vincent Voiro (3-2). After Wierzbicki grounded out, Ruiz battled Voiro to a 2-2 count before grounding a single into right field for his second hit, second RBI and the second run Singleton scored in the game.

Hauschild preserved the lead by pitching a perfect eighth inning. In the ninth, he allowed a leadoff single by third baseman Renato Nunez before first baseman Matt Olson hit into a double play. Wooten then grounded to Ruiz, who threw to Singleton for the game's final out.

The victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Tuesday, June 4. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Tuesday, June 4.

The River Bandits have their final scheduled off day of the first half Tuesday before they begin a three-game series with the first-place Cedar Rapids Kernels Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. in Cedar Rapids.

UP NEXT: Reservations can be made from now until June 10 for the River Bandits Father's Day Cookout and pre-game catch scheduled for Sunday, June 16. Check out www.riverbandits.com for details or call 563-324-3000. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at 563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for the ballpark, along with a new dual zip line, a carousel, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, new bounce houses and many other fun attractions. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans will see last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Carlos Correa. The Astros will also make the very first selection in the major league draft on June 6 and could have another top pick end up in the Quad Cities. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, this season will be one every fan will not want to miss!

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by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

Q:        When is Flag Day?

A:        Every summer on June 14, the United States pays tribute to the 50 stars and 13 stripes that majestically symbolize the founding principles and enduring freedoms of this great country.  From town squares to school yards, store fronts, front porches, cemeteries, sports venues and public buildings, Americans from all walks of life are called upon to show our patriotism and citizenship by flying the flag of the United States of America.

On June 14, 1877, the United States observed the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the Stars and Stripes by the Continental Congress. Years later, Congress made observance of Flag Day an official designation, requesting under law that the President issue an annual proclamation observing June 14 as Flag Day. The legislation passed in 1949. In 1966, a joint resolution of Congress invited Americans to display the flag during the entire week in which Flag Day occurs.

Q:        Why is it important to observe Flag Day?

A:        While other countries derive their national identities from a common ethnicity, centuries of shared history, or as subjects of the same royal family, our nation was founded on a shared set of timeless principles.  Our flag is more than just another national symbol.  Old Glory reflects the honor, integrity and truths embraced by generations of military service members, first responders, public servants and private citizens who proudly call America home.  From our youngest citizens in classrooms across the country, to sports fans who share the love of the game, to those who have witnessed moments of peril and uncertainty, through times of war, terror and natural disasters, the American flag brings comfort to those who mourn, honor to those who have fallen, and hope to those who believe that in America, even in the darkest of hours, the best days are yet to come.

During my travels across the state - visiting with Iowans in schools, in veterans groups, and at service club meetings - the flag is invariably on display, serving as a visual reminder of the truths we hold self-evident, that we share "certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

As Iowans enjoy the rites and rituals of summer time, let's make the time to celebrate our common heritage, to fly the flag and to recite in public the Pledge of Allegiance.  We share an allegiance to honor freedom, liberty and justice for all.  Americans for more than 200 years have embraced the red, white and blue for its symbolic salute to those who have fought for and defended the guiding principles that bind us together as a nation, stitched together for all to see, from sea to shining sea.

*** Iowans may obtain American flags flown over the United States Capitol year-round through my office.  Flags come with certificates commemorating special occasions, if you wish.  For order forms, go to www.grassley.senate.gov.  Click on Constituent Services and then Flag Requests.

With sky high loan rates and even higher drop-out rates, do these colleges educate students or bankrupt them?

Tonight, Tuesday, June 4 at 8:00pm ET

DALLAS -June 3, 2013  This week on "Dan Rather Reports" we take an in-depth look at the business of for-profit colleges.  Schools like ITT Technical Institute, DeVry University and University of Phoenix differ from schools such as Penn State or USC because they actually treat education as a business - teaching students while still turning a profit.  And, while most people may be aware that these colleges are for-profit, what they probably don't know is that most of these profits come from the federal government.  In fact, in 2012 ITT Tech reported revenue of 1.3 billion dollars - more than 1 billion of that came from the taxpayers.

This taxpayer money comes in the form of Pell Grants, money that the Government gives to low income students to help fund a college education, and federal student loans.

"I always said they had a bad business model and the business model was, go out and recruit the poor students. Why? They get the most Pell grants and they get the most loans," Iowa Senator, Tom Harkin told Dan Rather.

Harkin lead a Washington investigation into for-profit colleges and how students, who drop out, or who have to take on high interest personal loans in order to bridge financial gaps, are affected by the expense of a for-profit education.

In the case of ITT Tech, Harkin's investigation uncovered a huge disparity in costs.

"The cost for the associate degree was $48,000.  Two years." Harkin told Rather.  "Not too far away is Des Moines Community College.  Exact same degree, $9,000."

And, students at for-profit colleges default on the Federal loans at twice the rate of those attending traditional colleges.  They are responsible for half the Federal loan defaults while only making up 10% of the student body.

And while these numbers look to stack up against for-profit colleges, those in the industry say that they are offering an important service to high risk students.

Steve Gunderson, President of the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities (the organization that lobbies on behalf of the industry) tells Rather, "92% of the students who enroll in our schools are non-traditional students.  Almost every student has multiple barriers to academic success."

But when questioned about high interest rates on the loans that these students must obtain to pay tuition, and whether or not the schools could charge less money, Gunderson says, "What's the school to do? I think you and I would both criticize the school more if they abandoned the student at the 96^th percentile of their academic journey." 

"Dan Rather Reports:  For-Profit Colleges" airs Tuesday, June 4 at 8:00pm ET/5:00 p.m. PT only on AXS TV.

For more information, visit Dan Rather Reports,Dan Rather's Official website, Dan Rather Reports on Facebook and Dan Rather Reports on Twitter.

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