18 Jul 2011

First Army celebrates new "firsts" as Arsenal and Quad City neighbors

By Administrator

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, ILL. - First Army will uncase its organizational colors Thursday, July 21 at 9 a.m. at First Army headquarters (Bldg. 68) signifying the official arrival of the unit here.

First Army Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Mick Bednarek and Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse L. Andrews Jr., will uncase the unit's colors in a time-honored ceremony attended by invited VIPs and guests from the Arsenal and the Quad-Cities community.

First Army's long-line of "firsts" includes the first Americans into Paris, the first to cross the Siegfried Line and first to reach the Rhine River in Germany during World War II.

Another "first" will take place on Friday, July 22, at 6:30 a.m., when Lt. Gen. Bednarek and Command Sgt. Maj. Andrews lead First Army Soldiers and Civilian employees on a 2.5 mile organizational run through the Rock Island Arsenal Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center. No other unit at the Arsenal has ever conducted a run of this type.

The run will start and end at Memorial Field, near the southeast corner of Rodman Ave. and East Street.

Media wishing to attend should contact First Army Public Affairs Media Relations, Rob Saxon at 309.782.9647 or robert.d.saxon2.civ@mail.mil ; or FA Director, Public Affairs, Lt. Col. Mike Kenfield 309.782.9200 or Michael.w.kenfield.mil@mail.mil.

 

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12 Jul 2011

Braley Fights to Help Veterans Stay in Their Homes

By Alexandra Krasov

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released a statement after participating in a joint-chamber forum with Holly Petraeus on alleged mortgage-related violations of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). Holly Petraeus serves as the Director of the Office of Servicemember Affairs at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Following the forum, Rep. Braley said:

"More and more, it seems our veterans are returning from combat only to face new challenges here at home. Whether it's an injury or a financial crisis caused by long deployments and time off from their civilian jobs, our veterans deserve to know that we're standing up for them. This forum identified serious problems and issues with the way banks and lending institutions currently treat our soldiers and their families - and we need to take action to protect them from this abuse. That's why I introduced the Protecting Veterans' Homes Act earlier this year. My bill will give our soldiers enough time to get back on their feet and get their finances in order before being kicked out of their homes. This is the least we can do for the brave men and women who serve this country."

In May, Rep. Braley introduced the Protecting Veterans' Homes Act to protect veterans from being foreclosed upon by big banks. The bill would give returning soldiers time to get their finances in order after long deployments. Currently, similar protections for veterans are set to expire in December of 2012. Rep. Braley's bill would make these protections permanent and would extend the grace period from nine months to a full year for veterans returning from deployments.

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11 Jul 2011

Braley Statement on Death of Cedar Rapids Soldier

By Alexandra Krasov
Washington, DC -- Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement after officials reported the death of Iowa National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Terryl L. Pasker of Cedar Rapids:

"My heart goes out to Terryl's family and friends. This is a tragedy and a difficult time for all Iowans and the entire National Guard family. Terryl, and all the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation, are in my thoughts and prayers at this time."

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11 Jul 2011

Veteran's Benefit Presentation

By Administrator

Thursday, July 14th at 6:00 p.m.

2500 Grant Street, Bettendorf, Iowa

Iowa Masonic Health Facilities

Community Center

(at top of the hill)

Are you a war-time veteran or widow of a war-time veteran? You may be eligible to receive a monthly Veteran's benefit.

David Woods, from the Office of Veteran's Affairs in Davenport, has graciously offered to lead this FREE, public meeting to inform Veterans of benefits that may be currently available to them, which may include rental assistance. Veterans may qualify for various benefit programs such as Aid & Attendance Benefits, Housebound Status Benefits, and others. David is also available to meet on an individual basis (via appointment) to assist veterans and their spouses in applying for veterans benefits. Attend this seminar to gather information that may assist you in obtaining the benefits that all Veterans deserve.

Public welcome. Refreshments will be served.

RSVP to Amy Wiyrick at 359-9171, Monday-Friday 8-4.

 

Sponsored by Masonic Village & Iowa Masonic Health Facilities

06 Jul 2011

Braley Statement on Change of Condolence Letter Policy

By Alexandra Krasov

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement on President Obama's change to the condolence letter policy for soldiers who commit suicide:

"I strongly support the President's change of the condolence letter policy, and I share his commitment to removing the stigma associated with the unseen wounds of war. I'll continue to fight for expanded access to mental health care for all current members of our armed services and the brave veterans who served this country."

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05 Jul 2011

$1 Million Raised - Hardee's Assists Veterans and Military Families

By Beth Hoops

In May, Hardee's launched its Stars for Troops in-store fundraiser benefiting Homes for Our Troops and USA Cares. Thanks to your readers' generous donations, we're happy to announce more than $1 million raised (by CKE Restaurants - Carl's Jr. and Hardee's) to assist military families and veterans.

To participate, restaurant guests donated $1 in support of military charities. For each $1 donation, guests received a commemorative "Stars for Troops" cut out to personalize and place on display in the restaurant; in addition, they received restaurant coupons valued at more than $10 to use toward future purchases.

More information about Stars for Troops is available here: http://pitch.pe/155971 Thanks again to you and your readers for the support - and for making this fundraiser a success. I look forward to sharing additional news with you about Hardee's future military fundraising efforts.

05 Jul 2011

Governor Quinn Signs Bills to Increase Protections for Veterans and Servicemembers

By Andrew Mason

Bills Prevent Winter Heat Shutoff, Increase Driver's License Renewal Period; Help Injured Veterans Access Needed Services

CHICAGO - July 3, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed three bills to provide more protections for Illinois' servicemembers and help injured Veterans get the services they need. Together, the bills will make Illinois a more supportive place to live for servicemembers and veterans.

"On the day before we celebrate our democracy, we want to remember and protect our heroic men and women who answered the call to service," said Governor Quinn. "When our Veterans and servicemembers return to their homes in Illinois, it is our duty to give them the thanks and respect they deserve."

These bills prevent Illinois utilities from cutting off heat to Veterans and servicemembers during the winter months; extend the driver's license renewal time for servicemembers returning from overseas or out-of state; and create a fund to support public service announcements to increase awareness of Veterans' programs.

Sponsored by Rep. Keith Farnham (D-Elgin) and Sen. Michael Noland (D-Elgin), House Bill 1260 prohibits utilities from cutting off heat to Veterans and Servicemembers during the winter months. Under the new law, gas and electric utility companies are prevented from cutting off gas or electricity to Veterans and servicemember's homes from Dec. 1 through March 31 of the following year.

Many of Illinois' men and women in uniform who serve out-of-state or overseas find it difficult to renew their driver's license within the time required under current law. Sponsored by Rep. Eddie Jackson (D-East St. Louis) and Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights), House Bill 3331 extends the expiration of a servicemember's driver's license to 120 days upon their return to Illinois. Current law only allows for a 90 day deferral.

House Bill 3275 creates a fund to support public service announcements to inform Illinois' Veterans and servicemembers of the benefits and services available for treatment of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. The fund will be administered by the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, which will collect private gifts, donations and charitable contributions to support the fund. The new law was sponsored by Rep. Jason Barickman (R-Champaign) and Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago).

"As a veteran of the Illinois Army National Guard, there are few things more important than helping our men and women in uniform," said Rep. Barickman, who sponsored HB 3275. "I'm proud of this law, which allows people to donate private dollars to promote services available to men and women injured in combat."

The three new laws take effect Jan. 1, 2012.

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24 Jun 2011

Military Explorers "explore" First Army Headquarters

By Robert Saxon
Sgt. 1st Class Evadne Benson, center, First Army Equal Opportunity Advisor, meets with two squads of Military Explorers, from Post 9044 in Davenport, Iowa, and Post 120 from Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. The cadets, ranging from 11 to 21 years of age, are learning about the military ways of life prior to their potential future affiliation with the service of their choosing. The "Nighthawk" and "Green Dragon" squads took a guided tour of the new First Army headquarters building on Rock Island Arsenal, Ill. The group is conducting a four-day Explorer Challenge on "The Rock", consisting of military training and orientation events.   (Photo by Master Sgt. Danette Rodesky-Flores, First Army Public Affairs)
24 Jun 2011

Braley Statement on President Obama's Afghanistan Speech

By Randy Stalsberg
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement on President Obama's Afghanistan speech:

"Last night, the President laid out his vision for withdrawal from Afghanistan. I don't agree with his plan. It's time for our troops to start coming home now - and to be out of Afghanistan fully by the end of this year. Afghan security forces must be able stand up and take control of their country, Bin Laden is gone and America simply can't afford this war anymore. We've spent a decade in Afghanistan, and our country has paid tremendous costs: the lives of our young men and women, the sacrifice of our military families and the crippling budget deficits that will burden our children and grandchildren. It's time for our brave troops to come home."  

 

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24 Jun 2011

Illinois National Guard Soldiers Rescue Civilian Following Crash at Fort Knox

By readMedia

FORT KNOX, KY. (06/23/2011)(readMedia)-- June 14, Spc. Scott Vanduker of Marion and Staff Sgt. Jimmy Ressel of Urbana were preparing for another day of training at Fort Knox, Ky. Instead, the Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers came across a privately owned vehicle overturned on the side of the road. The troops noticed there was a passenger in the vehicle and jumped into action. Both Soldiers were at Fort Knox for their annual two-week training, but this was real life.

"The biggest thing was all the Soldiers that were involved did the right thing," said Ressel, a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion,130th Infantry Regiment in Marion. "Other Soldiers in the area got out of their vehicles and made sure the vehicle wasn't going to tip over the rest of the way. People helping people, doing the right thing."

The overturned SUV had been westbound, while Ressel and Vanduker were heading the opposite direction. The victim overcorrected and lost control of the vehicle, causing the crash.

"We just ran up to the vehicle, opened the door and another Soldier cut his seatbelt and hoisted him out," said Vanduker, also of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion,130th Infantry Regiment in Marion. "The victim did not appear to be injured, just a bit dazed."

An Army medic also assisted at the scene before Fort Knox fire and rescue arrived.

"The thing I'd like people to take from this story is that we do more than just shoot and blow stuff up," Ressel said. "We're community minded and we did what needed to be done."

Photo: Photo by Spc. Jeffrey Granda, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment/ Staff Sgt. Jimmy Ressel of Urbana (left) and Spc. Scott Vanduker (right), both with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion,130th Infantry Regiment in Marion recently pulled a crash victim from an overturned car June 14 during annual training at Fort Knox, Ky.

For high resolution photos, please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at ngilstaffpao@ng.army.mil

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