SPRINGFIELD, IL (05/16/2015)(readMedia)-- Five Soldiers with Illinois Joint Forces Headquarters' Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST) A15 were recognized during a mobilization ceremony May 15 at the Illinois Military Academy on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.

The Soldiers will train for a brief time at Fort Bliss, Texas, before deploying to Afghanistan. The unique mission allows Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers to train and deploy side-by-side with their Polish counterparts. The Soldiers are from various parts of Illinois and were selected for the mission based on their training and skills.

"Our 20-year partnership with Poland is the strongest National Guard State Partnership Program in the nation," said Maj. Gen. Daniel Krumrei of Springfield, Illinois, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "Illinois Soldiers and Airmen are instrumental in developing secure international relationships, while broadening their experiences and developing their military skills."

Lt. Col. Michael Beierman of Monee, Illinois, Commander for BEST A15, said the families of those deploying should be proud of their Soldiers and thanked them for their support.

"Illinois has a strong historical partnership with Poland, now we, and you are all a part of that great history," said Beierman. "Be proud that your Soldiers can claim a part of this history, be strong, and before you realize it, we'll be coming home."

The team is expected to return to Illinois in spring 2016.

"I have always fought to ensure the men and women serving our nation have had the support, equipment and training they need to safely carry out their mission. As a military parent and former member of the House Armed Services Committee, I take great pride in serving those who have served our nation. The bill that passed today addresses many of Iowa's priorities, including taking important steps to strengthen the Rock Island Arsenal by driving more workload to their facilities.

"At the same time, I have great concerns about how this bill came together. For example, it is paid for using an accounting gimmick, amounting to tens of billions of dollars, while undermining investments in education and infrastructure. Since the idea was first introduced, I have been opposed to the across the board cuts, known as sequestration. Congress must find a way to get rid of these cuts and replace it with a commonsense way to deal with our nation's fiscal issues. I look forward to working with Republicans and Democrats to strengthen this bill as it works its way through the Senate and during the Conference Committee to improve the final bill."

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after three provisions he authored were included as amendments to the FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation recently passed the House Armed Services Committee and is now being debated on the House Floor.

"Our men and women in uniform, along with their military families, proudly and honorably serve our country. The legislation that is now being debated on the House floor includes provisions I authored to make the Rock Island Arsenal stronger by driving more workload to their facilities," said Loebsack.

Specifically, amendments authored by Congressman Loebsack included in the FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act are:

1.      Installation Arsenal Reutilization Authority - Provides senior leadership at Rock Island Arsenal greater authorities to lease real or personal property for the purposes of leveraging private investment at military manufacturing arsenals through long-term facility use contracts, property management contracts, leases, or other such agreements. This amendment is designed to give Rock Island leadership greater flexibility to utilize unused administrative and warehouse space on the island, helping to bring workload and continued employment to the Island.

2.      Utilization of Armament Retooling and Manufacturing Support (ARMS) Initiative - This provision makes improvements to the ARMS program by giving the Army flexibility to enter into longer lease terms. It also encourages greater cooperation with the local community to promote greater use of ARMS. As the United States shifts to a peacetime footing, increased use of ARMS will help to support our ammunition plants and the highly skilled workforce there. This amendment allows the Army to work closely with local and state governments as well as economic development organizations and private businesses to make ARMS even more of a win-win for the Army, private businesses, local communities, and the ammunition plants.

3. Pharmacy Amendment (Offered with Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA-08)) - This amendment modifies a pilot program that is intended determine if the DOD can get the same savings using a network of preferred retail pharmacies as they can from using mail order by allowing retail pharmacies to provide medications to TRICARE beneficiaries at the same copayment rates as mail order.  It will ensure that veterans can continue to access their local, trusted pharmacies for their medications.

VA expert to discuss benefit changes and answer frequently asked questions

DAVENPORT, IA (May 11, 2015) - Senior Star at Elmore Place invites all Quad City senior veterans and their families to a presentation by guest speaker David Woods from Veterans Affairs at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 21 at 4502 Elmore Avenue, Davenport.

The informal presentation will address benefit changes and frequently asked questions.  "Engaging a local expert allows attendees to seek pertinent information that they otherwise wouldn't receive from online research," said Marc Strohschein, executive director of Senior Star at Elmore Place.  "We encourage all senior veterans and their families to join us for this important presentation."

A light lunch will be served.  An RSVP is requested no later than May 20 by calling 563.484.5114.  Seating is limited for lunch so please call and reserve your spot today!

For more information about Senior Star at Elmore Place or to schedule a tour, call 563.484.5114 or visit the website at www.seniorstar.com.

About Senior Star at Elmore Place

Senior Star at Elmore Place, a Senior Star community, features 236 modernly decorated apartments spanning across 20 acres of beautifully landscaped property with many customized amenities to offer its residents three distinctive living experiences:  independent living, assisted living and memory care.  For more information, visit www.seniorstar.com.

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