DAVENPORT, Iowa - Oct. 30, 2014 -- By honoring veterans on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, Genesis VNA and Hospice will also be able to honor veterans throughout the year.

We Honor Veterans is a national program of the Veterans Administration and National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) with hospice care providers across the country. Genesis hospice patients who are veterans, nearing the end of life, are celebrated in an individual ceremony with loved ones. They are recognized for their service by hospice volunteers who are often veterans themselves.

To support We Honor Veterans for Genesis hospice patients, Genesis is inviting all veterans, their families and the public to the Adler Health Education Center in the lower level of the Genesis Heart Institute for an event recognizing veterans. The address is 1236 E. Rusholme Street, Davenport.

There will be a mini-health fair starting at 1 p.m. with free seasonal flu vaccinations for veterans, blood pressure checks and information about senior living, eye care, hospice care and other health services.

At 2 p.m. there will be a showing of The Monuments Men, the story of a special unit of soldiers in World War II charged with retrieving priceless works of art stolen by German troops. The Monuments Men stars George Clooney and Matt Damon. The movie will be screened again at 4:30 p.m.

The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

Sponsorship is being provided by the Quad-City Times Bix 7, Eye Surgeons 

Associates, Genesis Imaging and Northwest Bank & Trust. Proceeds will be used to conduct the recognition ceremonies for veterans at the end of life and will help defray the costs of Genesis hospice nurses who accompany veterans in hospice care who are able to go on Honor Flights.

In 2014 for the first time, participants in the Quad-City Times Bix 7 were able to add to their entry fee in support of Genesis efforts to recognize and honor veterans. Race director Ed Froehlich will present a check of the proceeds prior to the screening of The Monuments Men.

"It is not only World War II veterans who are at an age where they need hospice care. We are also caring for more Korean and Vietnam era veterans in hospice,'' said Pat Christy, operations manager for Genesis Hospice Services and the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House. "Every veteran deserves our gratitude and recognition of their service.

"At the end of their lives the We Honor Veterans program celebrates their service and their lives.

"In their final days, many veterans have a story to share. We Honor Veterans ceremonies give us the opportunity to recognize them while also giving them the chance to share their personal stories with their families and loved ones.''

Veterans receive an enamel pin and a certificate that they and the family can display. American flags and service flags are displayed in their homes outside hospice patient rooms at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House and service flags are flown outside the hospice house on a rotating basis each month.

For more information, call (563) 421-9263. To make a donation to We Honor Veterans, call the Genesis Health Services Foundation at (563) 421-6865.

For more information about We Honor Veterans, go to www.wehonorveterans.org.

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Illinois' 108th Sustainment Brigade Returns from Deployment

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today welcomed home more than 200 Illinois Army National Guard soldiers who served in Kuwait. The soldiers are all members of the 108th Sustainment Brigade, and were deployed overseas for approximately 10 months. Homecoming ceremonies for the brigade were held today in Bridgeview and Springfield.

"I'm proud to welcome home the heroes of the 108th Brigade and thank them for serving our country and protecting our freedoms," Governor Quinn said. "It's important that we take care of those who have borne that battle and this celebration is a small thank you to our state's veterans and their families. While we could never repay them for their sacrifice, we thank each of our National Guardsmen for their service to our great nation. Welcome home."

The 108th includes soldiers from throughout Illinois, with a large concentration from Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. The soldiers trained for a brief time at Fort Hood, Texas before deploying overseas. In preparation for the deployment, the unit participated in training exercises at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and the Illinois National Guard's Marseilles Training Center.

The 108th Sustainment Brigade, led by Col. Drew Dukett of Roodhouse and Command Sgt. Maj. John Burns of Benld, deployed to Kuwait in January.  Most were headquartered at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, while several soldiers served in other locations throughout the region. The 108th provided mission command and logistical support operations for servicemembers and civilians in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq, and assisted with humanitarian aid in Iraq.

The 108th Special Troops Battalion, led by Lt. Col. Ron A. Jeanblanc of Athens, was deployed as part of the brigade and provided all internal support and medical operations within the brigade. The battalion also oversaw more than $600 million in financial transactions and conducted more than 220 financial missions throughout the Middle East. They also established the first Army Post Office in Iraq since 2011 and coordinated the transport of more than seven million tons of cargo across 75,000 nautical miles.

Governor Quinn is committed to honoring and supporting the men and women who have served our nation, and supporting the mission of the Illinois National Guard. His efforts include signing a law to create the Veterans Cash lottery ticket to be sold year round with 100 percent of proceeds supporting Illinois veterans. In 2011, Governor Quinn launched the Welcome Home Heroes program to support Illinois servicemembers seeking homeownership. Since that time more than 1,500 Illinois veterans, active military personnel, reservists and Illinois National Guard members have accessed more than $170 million to buy their homes.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (10/22/2014)(readMedia)-- CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait- Sgt. 1st Class Melissa Hiller of McCullom Lake, Illinois, an Illinois Army National Guard Soldier with the 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago, was recognized for her work as the U.S. Army Central senior (USARCENT) Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) from May to September 2014.

"As the senior SARC, Hiller provided critical guidance and information related to the Sexual Harassment Assault Response Prevention (SHARP) program to 18 brigade-level SARCs throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility," said Maj. Marvin Brown, USARCENT SHARP manager.

Hiller served as the USARCENT senior SARC from May to September 2014, while also serving as the 108th Sustainment Brigade SARC.

"She epitomizes the noncommissioned officer corps," said Lt. Gen. James L. Terry, commanding general of USARCENT. "I've come to depend on her expertise and her candor, telling me as a commander what I need to know. This allows commanders throughout USARCENT to develop and strengthen the effectiveness of the SHARP program in their units and the organization as a whole."

Terry said the SHARP program continues to improve as Soldiers become better trained and educated on what support is available and how sexual assault and harassment will not be tolerated within the military.

Hiller was one of the first unit victim advocates in the Illinois National Guard. She served in Illinois working with the Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield, Illinois, aiding Soldiers seeking assistance from the SHARP program. When she joined the 108th prior to the unit's deployment, she was assigned as the brigade's SARC. Two months after arriving in Kuwait she was selected to serve as USARCENT SARC, in addition to serving the brigade.

Hiller said the opportunity to serve as USARCENT SARC was both an honor and a privilege.

"I started as a unit victim advocate to help Soldiers in my unit. Now I'm in the position to help Soldiers throughout USARCENT," said Hiller. "Sexual assault and harassment prevention are a priority for Army leaders. It's our job as SARCs to provide assistance and care to victims and help them through a difficult recovery process."

While Hiller served as SARC, she worked with units across USARCENT to train and educate not only Soldiers, but leaders and command teams. While holding SHARP summits, she gave leaders insight on how to combat sexual assault and harassment at the unit level and the importance of their role as leaders to the SHARP program.

"When Soldiers and leaders understand what sexual assault and harassment are, they can help create an environment where they can identify and stop possible incidents," said Hiller. "Intervention and strong positive leadership lessen the chance of incidents."

Hiller added she has made a difference helping Soldiers by providing training and guidance to leaders to help future generations.

"She dramatically increased the effectiveness of the USARCENT SHARP Program through a strategic approach to providing victim support," said Brown. "Her expertise and guidance were critical in drafting and updating USARCENT SHARP policies and procedures."

Brown said Hiller is a dynamic and innovative trainer and conducted highly effective training sessions for units throughout Kuwait.

"Sgt. 1st Class Hiller's passion for helping victims and changing the culture of sexual assault and sexual harassment is second to none and she has certainly left the U.S. ARCENT SHARP Program better than it was when she arrived," said Brown.

Prior to deploying, Hiller served as the full-time victim advocate coordinator for the Illinois Army National Guard. Upon her return to Illinois, Hiller hopes to find employment that will allow her to engage her skills and experience to continue assisting victims and educating leaders to ensure a workplace free of sexual harassment and sexual assault.

"Sexual harassment and assault of any nature is a crime and not in line with the Army values. It will not be tolerated," said Terry. "It is the dedication and tireless effort of Soldiers like Sgt. 1st Class Hiller who ensure the improvement of the SHARP program to prevent incidents and help the victims."

Campus-Style Community Designed to Serve Veterans with Families Now Open in Chicago

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced the opening of Hope Manor II, one of the first large-scale housing developments in the nation designed to address the needs of female veterans and veterans with families at risk of homelessness. The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) provided approximately $1 million in funding to finance the development located at 60th and Halsted streets in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood. Today's event is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to make Illinois the most veteran-friendly state in the nation.

"Hope Manor II is not only about housing, it is about helping our veterans get a job, keep a job and provide for their families," Governor Quinn said. "We have a duty on the homefront to take care of our heroes and protect those who protected us especially when it comes to jobs, education and housing. For all they have sacrificed in the name of freedom, Hope Manor II will give our servicemembers the comforts and safety of home they deserve."

Developed by the Volunteers of America of Illinois (VOA), Hope Manor II is designed for veterans and their children. It will be home to more than 100 Illinois heroes and family members who were previously homeless or at risk of homelessness. The development will be an important part of the state's goal to help struggling veterans change and improve their lives over the long-term by promoting self-sufficiency, building new skills, creating strong support networks and integrating veterans more positively into community life.

Services at the campus include employment readiness classes, job training and coaching, computer training, peer support groups, recovery resources, individual and family counseling, mental health screening, emergency assistance for food and household items and case management support. Residents will also have access to the Volunteers of America of Illinois' True North Project which aids veterans who are struggling, in crisis or at risk of serious instability in their lives.

"This is a great day for our veterans, Chicago businesses and for Illinois," Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Acting Director Rodrigo Garcia said. "We know that employment and stability for families is critical in helping veterans and those at-risk bridge from the military to a thriving civilian life. Hope Manor II will be a great base for our veterans to find great jobs here in Illinois and help businesses thrive."

The campus-style community features a mix of single-family town homes and apartments built around a park, all located on a three-acre site donated by the city of Chicago. In addition to state resources, the development also received a $1.9 million loan and a $3 million tax-increment financing grant from the city of Chicago. All 73 apartments will receive Project-Based Rental Assistance from the Chicago Housing Authority.

"We are excited to partner with the Volunteers of America of Illinois to provide the stability and support our veterans need to transition back into civilian life," IHDA Executive Director Mary R. Kenney said. "Our goal is to provide a comprehensive response to the unique challenges of today's veterans, delivering the tools they can use to change their lives over the long-term."

Women veterans and those with dependent children are the fastest growing demographic in the veteran community, often facing significant challenges as they transition to civilian life. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that approximately six to eight percent of all homeless veterans are women and as many as 175 female veterans, most with children, are homeless in Chicago each night. After IHDA provided federal stimulus funds and federal tax credit financing for Hope Manor I to provide housing and services to single veterans, a community to serve families was the next appropriate step.

Since Governor Quinn took office, Illinois has made it a priority to address the need for affordable housing and supportive services. He is the first Governor in Illinois history to dedicate state capital dollars to supportive housing, creating approximately 2,150 community-based supportive housing units since 2009. IHDA has financed 860 units of affordable housing either reserved or specifically targeted to veterans in that same timeframe.