RANTOUL, IL (12/02/2015)(readMedia)-- In 1993 the Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force decommissioned Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois. At the same time, Chanute became the home of Lincoln's Challenge Academy, a diamond in the rough among the vacant, deteriorating buildings on the sprawling expanse that was once Chanute.

Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy is a joint federal and state-funded program that takes at-risk youths in the state and gives them an opportunity to get life training and a second chance at success. The program is a six-month resident program in a quasi-military environment that is built on eight core components: academic excellence, physical fitness, job skills, health and hygiene, responsible citizenship, leadership and fellowship, life coping skills and service to the community.

Though the brick building that once housed Student Squadron 3362 may not look like much from the outside, inside it's full of people that are thankful this holiday season. They're thankful because despite state budget concerns, the academy is still operating and still giving at-risk teens an opportunity to make themselves better, more productive members of society.

Tobeyah Snipes is one of those teens. Snipes grew up on the south side of Chicago and was a good kid for the most part, he said. During his high school years he started getting in with the wrong crowd.

"I started out on a good path, then I was on a really bad path," said Snipes. "I realized what I was doing and decided I wanted to do better for me and to make my mom proud."

Snipes said that his high school guidance counselor gave him some information on Lincoln's Challenge Academy and he made the choice to volunteer for the six-month program. Now, with only a few weeks left until his graduation, Snipes is the student corps commander, the top leadership position for a student.

Snipes credits the academy with making him a better leader and a better, more caring person.

"Being here didn't just improve my leadership, it improved my attitude toward other people," said Snipes. "I wasn't a social person. I took care of myself, but here I've had to not only lead, but take care of my fellow students when they have issues."

Snipes is in line for an academic scholarship to junior college when he graduates from the academy. He said that he owes the faculty and the staff at LCA for giving him "the upper hand on life" that he needed.

Peter Thomas, the academy's director, said the program's main goal is to give teens the tools they need to succeed in life. Thomas said the program gives those teens that are falling into the wrong crowd or doing the wrong thing another option, a way to be better.

"The first thing that we do is build up their self-worth; we let them know they can stand on their own two feet," said Thomas. "Here at Lincoln's Challenge Academy there is no right or wrong crowd, it's all the right crowd here. We teach students how to do the right thing, get along with each other and how to identify who they are."

Thomas said giving students the ability to recognize who they are gives them a better chance at success and a better chance of staying on the right path when they graduate.

Thomas said that running the program isn't without challenges, but as a retired Army command sergeant major, he knows what has to get done day to day to keep the academy successful and keep the students and cadre moving forward. Most of the challenges are logistical and fiscal.

"Most of the time we have trouble keeping people here in this small community," said Thomas. "The kids come here expecting the big city and have trouble getting used to the small community. So we do the best we can to provide opportunities for the students to get to places like Champaign to relax and have a good time."

Thomas said even though it's not something that he is tasked to handle, the big challenge this year was getting the program started without a state budget, a fact not overlooked by leadership at the state level.

Air Force Col. Lee Wheeler, the Director of Staff for the Illinois Air National Guard and LCA's federal program manager, said that this year's first class started about two weeks late because of budget issues.

"The program is funded both by state money and federal funds from National Guard Bureau," said Wheeler. "We get 25 percent of our budget from the state, then NGB funds the remaining 75 percent when the state has a signed budget. This year we ran into some issues because Illinois legislators hadn't passed a budget by Oct. 1, the start of the government's fiscal year."

Wheeler said that senior National Guard leadership spearheaded the fight to get LCA funded. He said that Maj. Gen. Richard J. Hayes Jr., Illinois' Adjutant General, was the driving force, working very hard to explain the situation to officials at NGB.

"General Hayes worked very hard to convince the National Guard Bureau that by virtue of the fact that the state was paying our employees, we could project out through the life of the current contract," said Wheeler. "He argued that we were matching what our state share would normally be. So, even without a state budget NGB released federal funds to us."

Wheeler said that without Hayes' efforts and the efforts of Governor Bruce Rauner's staff, federal funding would not have been released and the program would have been shut down. Wheeler said that even shutting down the program for one fiscal year would likely doom the more than 20-year-old program. He said that he is thankful that senior leaders took the time to understand the importance of the program.

"The program has an impact throughout the state," said Wheeler. "We offer a unique alternative training program that offers a structured, quasi-military environment for kids that have dropped out of school or might drop out of school and possibly get into trouble an opportunity to get their GED certificates and become productive members of society."

Hayes brought senior staff officers on his team to visit LCA for their annual Thanksgiving program Nov. 24 to allow them to see what the academy is doing for the community.

"Lincoln's Challenge Academy is important to the Illinois National Guard and to the statewide community," said Hayes. "It provides a means and a place for at-risk teens within the state to find themselves, to build their self-esteem, confidence, education and life skills to make them productive members of our society; it is a program which prepares them for a bright future. As leaders in the state is it critical we fully support this mission as the consequences of not doing so creates more long term systemic problems for society. With the help and support of Governor Rauner's team we made sure the academy's mission could continue this fiscal year. We are looking forward to starting our second class in January and have ample room to accommodate motivated teens wanting a brighter future. I encourage all with a desire to attend to contact the accessions staff."

Lincoln's Challenge Academy started as a pilot program more than 20 years ago and has seen more than 14,400 cadets graduate from the program. Cadets graduating from LCA go on to succeed later in life, 75 percent earn their GED certificates, 49 percent enter the workforce, 34 percent continue to college and 12 percent join the military.

To keep LCA operating and successful, it will take an effort from not only the Illinois National Guard and NGB, but the community as well, said Thomas.

"We will continue to meet with our leaders and state officials to help get the resources we need to keep moving forward but we still need help from the community," said Thomas. "Go talk to your representatives and your legislators and tell them how important LCA is and ask what can be done to support the program."

The brick and mortar building that once housed Airmen training to repair and maintain the Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile on Rantoul's Chanute Air Force Base has been transformed into a launching pad to propel at-risk teens in Illinois into a brighter future.

"When these kids graduate, it makes me as happy as they are," said Thomas. "We have been successful in giving that young man or young lady that first step in life to be successful. Many times it just takes that one step, that initial step to accomplishing something to prove to themselves that they are something and they can do this."

Springfield, Illinois - For many, retired Illinois National Guardsman Maj. Gen. Scott L. Thoele will be remembered as an empowering leader who put Soldiers first. Others will remember him for his leadership during the 2008 to 2009 historic deployment of the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) to Afghanistan.

Thoele of Teutopolis, Illinois retired on Sept., 30 after a 21-year career in the Illinois National Guard. Thoele also served 14 years in the active duty Army.

Thoele received his commission in the U.S. Army in December 1980 from the Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. In September 1994, Thoele joined the Illinois Army National Guard.

"Joining the Illinois National Guard was one of the best moves I ever made, the Illinois National Guard is a first-class organization," said Thoele. "I had some great mentors over the course of my career in the Illinois National Guard."

Thoele served in a variety of positions of increasing responsibility as an active-duty officer and traditional Guardsman, culminating as the Deputy Commanding General-Army National Guard for the United States Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina from August 2012 to August 2015.

Thoele said he was honored to serve as the Deputy Commanding General of the ARNG, but he views his time with 33rd IBCT as the highlight of his career.

Thoele deployed to Afghanistan as commander of the 33rd IBCT in 2008 as the Deputy Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VIII Commander, his Illinois Guard Soldiers directly trained the Afghan National Security Forces.

Thoele said this was not just his last assignment with the Illinois National Guard, but he considers commanding the 33rd to be his best assignment.

"A lot of people forget how hard that deployment was. It was really a team effort," said Thoele.

During the deployment 36 Americans from Combined Task Force Phoenix were killed during the 2008 to 2009 deployment, 18 of those were from Illinois.

"We knew it was going to be a tough year when we took three casualties and we hadn't even deployed the brigade (main body) to theater yet," said Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Bowman, former Command Sergeant Major for the 33rd IBCT and current Land Component Command Sergeant Major for the Illinois National Guard. "Losing those Soldiers made it harder on every Soldier during the mobilization."

Bowman said despite the hardships the brigade endured, Thoele stayed focused and his guidance was always the right thing to do.

"He had a calm presence about him, but you always knew he was in charge," said Bowman.

Col. Eric Little, United States Property and Fiscal Officer for the Illinois National Guard, who served as the Logistics Task Force Commander for the 634th Brigade Support Battalion, 33rd IBCT said Thoele was a smart, influential and dynamic leader.

"His character and style brought empowerment to Soldiers and leaders and the overall Brigade together," said Little. "Soldiers and leaders strived to do everything they could do to serve him and the organization he represented. He was truly a leader that served the Soldier."

During that deployment, Thoele met with U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Richard P. Formica, of Alexandria, Virginia, the Commanding General of the Combined Security Transition Assistance Command - Afghanistan every Saturday morning in Kabul.

"I am proud to say that I served with the 33rd IBCT," said Formica now retired. "It has been six years, but what hasn't changed and what I haven't forgotten is the tremendous respect and admiration that I had for the courage, the tactical competence, the determination and the grit of the Soldiers of the 33rd IBCT."

Formica said he was very proud of the Soldiers and leaders of the 33rd.

"My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the 33rd daily, and I will never forget their sacrifices," said Formica.

Later on in Thoele's career, he served as the Deputy Commanding General for United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) and at many strategic-level positions for the Army National Guard Combined Arms Center. There he applied his Illinois National Guard experiences to implement national policies and programs.

"It is really amazing what Scott added to our military, the rest of this nation and to our Army through his influence in various positions throughout his career," said Maj. Gen. Richard Hayes, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "His work affected half a million people in the Guard and Reserves while serving in the positions he did."

Thoele graduated from Quincy University in Quincy, Illinois, in 1980 where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. In 1991, Thoele graduated the Graduate School of Banking from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin.

He has attended numerous U.S. Army leadership courses including the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania; Army Strategic Leadership Develop Program basic, intermediate and advanced levels; CAPSTONE, National Defense University in Washington, D.C. and Advanced Joint Professional Military, Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk Virginia.

Thoele has participated in Operation Urgent Fury at Grenada, Desert Storm Southwest Asia Cease Fire Campaign, Iraq, Hurricane Mitch Relief Operations, Operation Noble Eagle for the USA, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. His most recent combat assignment was Commander, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and Deputy Commander, Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan, from September 2008 to November 2009.

Thoele's awards include Legion of Merits, Bronze Star Medals, Meritorious Service Medals, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, NATO Afghanistan Service Medal, Bronze Medal of the Polish Army, French National Defense Medal, Special Forces Tab, Combat Infantryman Badges, and Combat Action Badge.

"I know its bittersweet for Scott to take off the uniform, but I know he will continue to serve our National Guard in other capacities," said Hayes.

Formica said he wishes the best for Thoele.

"Congratulations on a wonderful career and thanks to your family and to you for your service," said Formica.

In the civilian sector, Major General Thoele retired as, Senior Vice President and Senior Loan Officer for United States Bank, Lewistown, Missouri and Vice President, Compliance Officer and Credit Analyst for First Bankers Trust Company in Quincy, Illinois. Thoele and his wife Paula have four children and three grandchildren. The general and Paula reside in Quincy, Illinois.

Video and Audio Interviews will be preserved for future generations

Washington, D.C. - Today U.S. Representatives Cheri Bustos (IL-17) and Dave Loebsack (IA-2) participated in an event at the Library of Congress where they presented video and audio records of 31 veterans from the Quad-Cities. The interviews were conducted by Quad-Cities PBS station WQPT.

"It's because of the service and sacrifice of our veterans that Americans have the opportunity to live in freedom," said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. "We have an obligation to remember what our veterans have done to protect our nation. I'm proud to help make sure the legacies of these Quad-City veterans live on forever by delivering their stories to the Library of Congress."

"Generations of Americans have fought for, protected, and renewed the principals and liberties on which our country was founded. I believe that we have a responsibility to come together to show our gratitude for their service," said Congressman Dave Loebsack. "By presenting these stories, in the veterans own words, to the Library of Congress to be preserved forever, we will never forget their service to our nation."

These stories include :

• 1st Lieutenant Marion Ackley from Rock Island who served as an Army Nurse from January 1945 through May 1946. At hospitals at Fort Meade Maryland, Hawaii, Panama, Seoul and Denver, 1st Lt. Ackley was one of the few female veterans of her generation and rose to the position of head nurse. You can listen to 1st Lt. Ackley's story by clicking here.
• Staff Sergeant Earl Thomas Coffman from Moline who enlisted in the Marines and served from 1969 through 1972. As a part of the 1st Infantry 9th Marines, SSgt. Coffman conducted recon duties. For his service, he earned the Vietnam Medal, Good Conduct Medal and a Purple Heart. You can watch SSgt. Coffman's story by clicking here.
• Sergeant Dara Delong from Davenport served in the Army from November 2003 to July 2015, participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn.  Sergeant Delong's service, for which she received nearly two dozen medals, included not only fighting in heavy combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also working with Army medics in an Afghan morgue. You can watch her story by clicking here.
• Sergeant Thomas Taylor from Bettendorf was drafted by the Army during the Vietnam War and served from June 1968 to December 1970.  Prior to being drafted, he was employed as a social worker, investigating child abuse and domestic violence claims for the Iowa Department of Human Services in Clinton.  Sergeant Taylor served in Vietnam with the 199th Flight Infantry and the 101st Airborne Division.  After returning home, he chose to serve the state of Iowa again as a social worker for the next forty years. You can watch his story by clicking here.

Click here for a photo of the presentation at the Library of Congress.

Below is a full list of the 31 Quad-City veterans who will have their stories preserved at the Library of Congress.

Marion Ackley, Rock Island

Richard Cardoso, Moline

Earl Coffman, Moline

Dara Delong, Davenport

Dennis Dennhardt, East Moline

Herbert Doden, Rock Island

Al Dussliere, East Moline

Larry Garmoe, Taylor Ridge

William Gass, Rock Island

Dale Hendricks, Davenport

Benjamin Hunter, Davenport

Steve Imming, Davenport

Daniel Johnson, Port Byron

Brandon Kelly, East Moline

Rebecca Meeke, Davenport

Merton Messmore, Rock Island

Lawrence Molitor, Cordova

Lisa Olson, Moline

Murray Osborn, Rock Island

Burl Randolph Jr., Davenport

Erik Ratzburg, Moline

Donald Smith, Rock Island

Ralph Smith, Rock Island

Salley Sohner, Rock Island

Larry Tadlock, Rock Island

Thomas Taylor, Bettendorf

James Varcho, Eldridge

Raymond Werner, Columbus Junction

John Wiesch Jr, East Moline

James Wunderlich, Port Byron

Roald Zvonik, Moline