SPRINGFIELD, IL (07/02/2013)(readMedia)-- In addition to marking the independence of the United States, the Illinois National Guard is also marking the 150th anniversary of the Siege of Vicksburg and the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War and the 95th anniversary of the Battle of Hamel during World War I (WWI).

Three Illinois units participated in the Battle of Gettysburg, the 8th Illinois Cavalry, four companies of the 12th Illinois Cavalry, and the 82nd Illinois Infantry.

"At 7:30 a.m. on July 1, 1863 Lt. Marcellus Jones with the 8th Cavalry fired the first shot of the Battle of Gettysburg and the first Union Soldier to die in the battle were from the 12th Illinois Cavalry," said Adriana Schroeder of Springfield, Ill., the Illinois National Guard command historian.

Two days later, the 82nd Illinois Infantry participated in the Union defense of the infamous Pickett's Charge.

Hundreds of miles and several states away, Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant laid siege to Vicksburg, Miss., with nearly one-third of his entire force consisting of Illinois Soldiers.

"The turning point in the Civil War came July 4, 1863 when Confederate fighters surrendered at both Gettysburg and Vicksburg," said Schroeder. "Gettysburg marked the last push into Union territory for the Confederates. After Vicksburg, the Union Army controlled the Mississippi River and cut the Confederacy in two."

Fifty-five years later, in July 1918, Soldiers from the 131st and 132nd Illinois Infantry Regiments were attached to Australian brigades in France during WWI.

"These Illinois Soldiers were the first of the 33rd Division to fight in the war and possibly the first Americans to fight under the command of another country." said Schroeder. "On July 4, 1918, they successfully took out German trenches in the Hamel Woods, which had previously dominated Australian forces."

On Aug. 12, 1918, George V, the King of England, arrived at 33rd Division Headquarters and awarded 19 officers and enlisted men with the Distinguished Service Cross, the Military Cross and the Military Medal for acts of bravery.

Cpl. Thomas A. Pope, a Norwood Park, Ill., native, served with company E of the 131st Infantry Regiment and received the Medal of Honor at Hamel. His citation reads, "At Hamel, July 4, 1918...Corporal Pope's company was advancing behind the tanks when it was halted by hostile machine gun fire. Going forward alone, he rushed a machine gun nest, killed several of the crew with his bayonet, and, standing astride his gun, held off the others until re-enforcements arrived and captured them."

The Illinois State Military Museum has artifacts and displays that tell the story of the Illinois units and Soldiers who served in these key battles. The displays include battle flags, weapons, war trophies and a WWI trench scene depicting the battle of Hamel.

The Illinois State Military Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. It is located adjacent to Camp Lincoln at 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd. in Springfield. Admission and parking are free.

WASHINGTON (June 26, 2013) - The American Legion has announced that it is offering an entrepreneurship program aimed specifically at women military veterans and military spouses. The two day, free of charge session, "For Her Entrepreneurship - Resources, Opportunities, Experiences & Support (For HEROES) will be conducted during the veterans' service organization's 95th annual convention in Houston, Aug. 26-27.

The program was created by the Legion in collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University.  After completing this free course, participants will be equipped with the tools and knowledge needed to identify a business opportunity, draft a business plan and launch an enterprise.

"SBA is truly committed to help veteran women entrepreneurs succeed," said SBA Associate Administrator Rhett Jeppson. "We know that more than 250,000 military service members transition out of active duty each year and that women are outpacing men with respect to starting new businesses."

He continued, "We provide these aspiring entrepreneurs support to launch their business and that's why we're joining with the Legion to provide this program."

The training curriculum includes an introduction to entrepreneurship and skills training, plus detailed information on resources and support programs designed specifically to aid veterans working with the federal government.  Business conceptualization, business plan formulation, financial planning, start-up funding, marketing and related topics will be explored as well.

"Entrepreneurship is the answer for many veterans who find the job market a particularly tough one these days," says Joe Sharpe, director of the Legion's National Economic Division. "According to the SBA, veterans are more likely than non-veterans to start their own small businesses. Heretofore, however, the entrepreneurial interests of women veterans have been neglected. That is why this groundbreaking session will be so valuable."

Participants who complete this course will also be provided access to an eight-week online Foundations of Entrepreneurship course offered by IVMF.  Completion of that online curriculum will require approximately 10-hours of study each week as it walks participants through the fundamentals of developing a business plan.

Women veterans interested in enrolling in the free entrepreneurship training program can register online at http://www.legion.org/convention/economic or by contacting Jasmine Davis at 202-263-5771 or jdavis@legion.org.

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Q:        How would you rate the U.S. military's handling of sexual violence within its ranks?

A:        It's unacceptable.  The U.S. military gets a failing grade for prosecuting offenders and flunks its responsibility to protect innocent victims of sexual violence.  Called before Congress in May to account for its abysmal track record on this emotional issue, the top brass representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard was taken to the woodshed for failing to stop the spread of sexual violence among its ranks.  Public confidence in the military culture and its justice system has been shaken as sexual assaults within the U.S. Armed Forces have increased.  A recent Department of Defense Report reveals a 37 percent increase in cases of sexual assault or unwanted sexual contact, estimating 26,000 cases in fiscal year 2012.  That same report showed a nearly 10 percent drop in rates of reporting, with victims reporting only 3,374 incidents to military police or prosecutors.  Notably, less than one in 10 cases ended with a sexual assault conviction at court martial.  Talk about a chilling effect.  The low reporting rate signals a growing number of victims is either too embarrassed to come forward, too afraid of retaliation or resigned the offender won't be held accountable for the crime.  This is not an issue from which military leaders can retreat.  Sexual offenders must understand they will not get a pass from prosecution.  It's time for offenders and enablers to stand down and for those all along the chain of command to stand up for victims.

Q:        How can the U.S. military improve its efforts to prevent these crimes and hold offenders accountable?

A:        With decades of negligence under its belt, the top brass has lost credibility to fix this leadership failure.  The absence of valor among the uniformed chain of command is remarkably disappointing considering the U.S. military code of honor is based on integrity and fidelity to the rule of law.  Failing to crack down on a corrosive culture or on individuals who use sexual violence as a means of power will create lingering institutional problems that jeopardize morale and impact recruitment and retention of troops.  That's why I'm an original co-sponsor of bipartisan legislation that would remove prosecutorial decisions from the chain of command.  Instead, the offices of the military chiefs of staff would have authority and discretion to establish courts, empanel juries and choose judges to hear case in military courts.  This bipartisan bill - the Military Justice Improvement Act (S.967) sponsored by Senator Kirstin Gillibrand -- also would stop military authorities from granting clemency or a lesser offense to convicted offenders.  It removes the discretion of commanders to alter convictions.  It's time to reboot the U.S. military's failed approach towards sexual violence by reforming the military justice system, preventing sexual violence, empowering victims to come forward and prosecuting sex crimes.

Q:        Why is Congress getting involved in a military issue?

A:        Sexual assault is not a military issue.  It's a law enforcement issue.  Unfortunately, military commanders have a failed track record that stretches a country mile.  When young adults make the honorable commitment to serve their country in uniform and put themselves in harm's way to defend and protect America's freedoms, they deserve to know the U.S. military will stand up to protect their rights throughout their military service, including access to justice.  The bipartisan Military Justice Improvement Act would give members of the Armed Forces more confidence in the military system of justice, including protection from sexual violence and prosecution for those who violate the rule of law.

Homecoming Set for June 15 for Fort Sheridan-Based National Guard Unit

CHICAGO, IL (06/13/2013)(readMedia)-- Approximately 130 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers who served in Afghanistan will return home this weekend. The 933rd Military Police Company (MP) based at Fort Sheridan will have their homecoming ceremony at 7:30 a.m. June 15 at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago (see directions below).

The unit was mobilized Aug. 7, 2012 and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The company worked with Special Forces troops in Afghanistan; therefore much of their mission is classified. 933rd Soldiers were spread across four remote combat posts in Afghanistan completing missions such as guard operations and prison escort.

Six Soldiers earned Bronze Stars, 76 troops earned Army Commendation Medals, 42 earned the Army Achievement Medals and 19 Soldiers received Combat Action Badges.

During their deployment, 10 Soldiers missed the birth of their babies and will see their infants for the first time at their homecoming ceremony.

"The deployment was successful because of the great American Soldiers in the 933rd Military Police Company," said Capt. Thomas Gilligan of Bolingbrook, 933rd commander. "These Soldiers selflessly gave up the comfort of their homes to defend freedom in a foreign land far away from their families and friends. We will forever be grateful."

The 933rd is relatively new to the Fort Sheridan community. In late 2010, the unit moved from Waukegan to a new $30 million readiness center at Fort Sheridan, which offers more opportunities for state-of-the-art training.

The 933rd was one of the first Illinois National Guard units deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It was mobilized from February 2003 to July 2004. The unit also has a proud history of service with mobilizations in support of Desert Storm in 1990 and fighting in the Pacific alongside Gen. Douglas MacArthur in the Philippines that earned a unit award for gallantry from the Philippine President for serving from 1943 to 1945. Soldiers in the 933rd also fought in World War I, earning a unit award for bravery and honor in battle in 1918.

News media attending the event should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. Please contact the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) Media Relations Office at (773) 686-3700 if you plan to cover the event. For more information call the Public Affairs Office at 217-761-3569 or email us at ng.il.ilarng.list.staff-pao@mail.mil.

Directions: Intersection of Patton Drive and Schlitz Road at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago is the ceremony location.

The easiest way to get there is exit to O'Hare toward the main terminal and go toward the rental car return area. The rental car return area is on Bessie Coleman Drive, which runs north and south and visitors will be traveling north. A large salt dome is on the intersection of Schlitz and Bessie Coleman. Turn left onto Schlitz.