SPRINGFIELD, IL (06/13/2013)(readMedia)-- With 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen in the Illinois National Guard, it is not uncommon for multiple generations of families to serve side-by-side. One father will celebrate this Father's Day serving beside his step-daughter during a two-week annual training exercise in Wisconsin.

Sgt. Tracy Wright, of St. Charles, a supply specialist with the Illinois Army National Guard's Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery Regiment in Sycamore, deployed to Operation Desert Storm as a Marine, before leaving the military to raise two stepdaughters and one son with Danielle, his wife of 14 years.

However, in 2009, at age 39, Wright decided it was time to get back in uniform.

"I missed the service and I missed the military," Wright said. "I was too old to go back to the Marines and the recruiter suggested the Illinois National Guard and that's what I did."

Danielle said she had mixed emotions about her husband returning to military service, but she ultimately knew it was the right decision.

"Part of me worried about his safety and his responsibilities at home," she said. "I asked him 'What about our family?' We couldn't have him gone. But there was another part of me that knew this is what he was meant to do."

Pvt. 1st Class Tayler Avery, of Maple Park, a chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear specialist with the Illinois Army National Guard's 135th Chemical Company, 44th Chemical Battalion, 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, based in Machesney Park, was a junior in high school when her stepfather, who she has called dad since age 5, joined the Illinois National Guard.

Avery said Wright made her a part of the process, which brought them closer together.

"When he decided he wanted to enlist in the National Guard, he had some weight to lose," Avery said. "At the time, I was running cross-country so it became a bonding experience for us. We would go on runs or work out every day and I thought it was cool being able to do stuff with my dad. Seeing him push himself was really great."

When Avery made the decision to enlist in the Illinois National Guard in 2011, it was Wright's turn to be proud of his stepdaughter's dedication.

"I'm extremely proud of everything she's accomplished," he said. "When she was a teenager and looking for direction, I think she hit the mark and ran with it. She's taken everything in stride and really enjoys serving."

Avery said her stepfather provided encouragement and guidance from the time the idea of serving entered her mind at 17.

"I was working out with him and I started thinking about it as a real possibility," Avery said. "He was really supportive, and he would have been whether I decided to enlist or not. He was supportive but wasn't trying to push me toward it. He was just helpful and answered all of my questions. He even answered questions I didn't know I had yet."

Danielle said being a military wife and mother allows her to see how positive the National Guard has been for her family.

"Of course I worry but I'm proud of both of them," she said. "I'm proud of the sacrifices they make and what they do for their country. I'm proud that Tracy has influenced Tayler enough that she wanted to follow in his footsteps."

She said Wright has always set the example for their three children and takes pride in being the best father he can be.

As far as being gone for Father's Day, Wright said his family understands holidays without him at home.

"My wife is very supportive of the military stuff and she knows it's what I enjoy," he said. "My son and my other daughter are also very understanding."

Wright said although he and Avery will not be co-located during their two-week annual-training exercise, they plan to meet up and take some Father's Day pictures.

Avery said she appreciates her dad for much more than his service to his country.

"I'm just really happy that he came into our lives and accepted my little sister and me as his own kids," she said. "He is a great dad and I'm honestly very grateful to have a dad like him."

DECATUR, IL (06/12/2013)(readMedia)-- Capt. Aaron Tvrdy of Chicago recently received the Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award for the state of Illinois, an award bestowed upon the top leaders in the country.

The award recognizes company grade officers who demonstrate the ideals for which MacArthur stood for- duty, honor, and country.

"I am proud to be selected by state leadership to represent the many terrific company grade officers within the state of Illinois," said Tvrdy, the assistant engineer officer from the Illinois Army National Guard's 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Chicago. "The Douglas MacArthur award is more than just military achievements; it incorporates community involvement and military values. I am very pleased that the effort I put into these areas of my life is appreciated by those around me."

His award justification states: "Capt. Tvrdy has separated himself as the top company commander in the 766th Engineer Battalion (Eng. Bn.) in Decatur and the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade through his leadership proficiency and various remarkable accomplishments. Tvrdy is a creative, out-of-the-box thinker who introduced several unique operations into the Battalion's training schedule. The combination of excellent leadership, drive and success, along with a genuine care for others are all contributing factors which lead to Tvrdy being recommended for this prestigious award."

Those who served with and commanded Tvrdy could not agree more.

"As long as I have known Captain Tvrdy, he has striven to improve himself and those around him by hard work and determination," said Lt. Col. Craig Holan, Battalion Commander of the 766th Eng. Bn., in Decatur, Ill., a Flora, Ill., native and Tvrdy's former commander. "He has a full plate between his military and civilian careers and family, yet has always tried to be a leader in all aspects of his life. He is a natural born leader, a doer who is never satisfied with the status quo."

The MacArthur Award aims to promote and sustain effective junior officer leadership in the

Army, by recognizing those who go above and beyond. Tvrdy, served as the company commander for the Field Support Company (FSC) of the 766th, led his Soldiers to win the title of the National Guard's Top Small Modification Table of Organization and Equipment Maintenance Company. The FSC also swept the state, regional and national boards of the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence, earning the right to compete at the Department of the Army level against the Active and Reserve component winners.

Tvrdy has proven himself to be well beyond effective, according to Maj. Tim Newman, the Operations Officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Company with the 766th and a resident of Mahomet, Ill. At one time, Tvrdy served as Newman's executive officer.

"He has the ability to instill responsibility and a sense of unit pride amongst his subordinates that helps focus everyone on mission accomplishment," said Newman. "This was seen with his company winning the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence. Additionally, he gave the FSC an identitiy which the company quickly embraced. This allowed every Soldier to identify their roles and and responsibilities, thus turning the company into a well-oiled machine."

Tvrdy works as an architect and recently began establishing his own company building sustainable furntiture. He attributes much of his military success to his work on the civlian side and vice versa.

"I feel that military training greatly prepares you for being an entrepreneur; much like wanting to create the best Field Support Company, I also want to create the best sustainable furniture company," he said. "I believe my civilian skillset has greatly contributed to the success I have had in the military. In architechture, you often create something out of nothing, you are required to be creative yet organized and efficient. You need to clearly communicate a design to the team before anything is ever built."

Tvrdy does not take all the credit for the things he has accomplished. There have been many people helping him along the way, he said.

"I am very grateful to have a supportive battalion and brigade commander who trusted me enough to employ my vision of command," he said. "I believe a big part of the success I had as a company commander is that I wasn't afraid to take on challenges and I wasn't afraid to fail because I knew I had great support around me. I feel very fortunate to have commanded the best Soldiers in the state of Illinois."

Tvrdy said his family was supportive as well.

"My civilian life revolves around my family and my beautiful wife," he said. "I greatly appreciate their patience with my military commitments and they truly share in the stress of the job."

All of these accomplishments might be a highlight in the young offier's career, but he is far from finished doing great things.

"Capt. Tvrdy is well deserving of this award and honor," said Holan. "I fully expect his career to be long and can see him in any position of authority the Illinois Guard has to offer. He is a true asset to the Illinois National Guard, the 404th and the engineer corps."

Tvrdy himself doesn't know where life will take him from here, but he is excited and ready to face the challenge, he said.

"I hope to gain experience with brigade and battalion operations and would eventually love another shot at a command position," he said. "New doors seem to open at the least likely opportunities and I am excited to see where the next one takes me."

Award winning documentary examines problem of sexual assault in the military

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today met with Kirby Dick, the Director of the Academy Award-nominated film "The Invisible War" to discuss the issue of sexual assault in the military.  The Invisible War is a documentary that explores the epidemic of sexual assault in the military through interviews with victims from each military branch.  The two discussed the documentary and solutions to address this problem.  Loebsack is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the bipartisan Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus.  He has worked to address the problem of sexual assault in the military.  A photo can be found here.

"I am disgusted by these crimes and the issue of sexual assault in the military has been pushed to the side for too long.  As a military parent and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I refuse to let this issue continue to take a back seat.  There should be no higher priority for the Pentagon than to combat this problem.

"I was pleased to be able to meet with Kirby and talk about his film.  His documentary puts a face to the victims of sexual assault in the military who often times find themselves in the shadows with no one to turn to. The Invisible War is an important movie that will leave an impact on all who see it."

Loebsack authored a provision in the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act which required a review of the services and treatment available for victims of sexual assault and abuse throughout the military, including the National Guard.   He also worked to include provisions signed into law as part of the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act which required the establishment of special victim units to provide victim support, investigatory capabilities, and prosecutorial expertise as well as an independent review of how sexual assaults are prosecuted under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).  Loebsack is a cosponsor of the BE SAFE Act which significantly strengthens measures to hold perpetrators accountable and to provide victims with the care and services they need.  He is also a cosponsor of the Military Justice Improvement Act which would put the decision regarding whether to prosecute an assault case to prosecutors instead of commanders.  In addition, he is a cosponsor the Sexual Assault Training Oversight and Prevention (STOP) Act, which creates an autonomous Sexual Assault Oversight and Response Office within the military to prosecute, report, and investigate sexual assault as well as to provide victim care and oversight.

Michael Zerbonia of Chatham to Be Promoted to Brigadier General

SPRINGFIELD, IL (06/04/2013)(readMedia)-- Brig. Gen. Daniel M. Krumrei, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, has appointed Col. Michael Zerbonia of Chatham, Ill., as the Illinois National Guard's Land Forces Commander.

The appointment means Zerbonia will also be promoted to brigadier general and will command approximately 10,000 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers.

"Our Soldiers deserve the best possible leadership and Colonel Zerbonia is one of our best leaders," said Krumrei. "He is a strategic thinker and planner, and his value to this organization and to the people of Illinois grows each day."

Zerbonia has more than 30 years of military service. He enlisted as a military policeman in the Missouri National Guard in 1983 and commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1986. He recently commanded the Bilateral Embedded Staff Team A10 in Afghanistan and previously commanded the 108th Sustainment Brigade based in Chicago.

Zerbonia is the Colonel of Operations for the Illinois State Police.

"Michael has spent decades in uniform serving the Illinois State Police and the U.S. military dedicating his career to service and honor," said Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau. "His commitment to leadership and duty is further exemplified by this added badge of rank, and the men and women of this agency are proud of his accomplishment."

During the severe winter storm in Februrary 2011, Zerbonia saw his State Police Troopers and his Soldiers work side-by-side after National Guard Soldiers were activated to help the State Police mitigate the effects of the storm.

"My two careers coincided directly then. While both organizations have different roles to play, both go out and protect the citizens of Illinois," said Zerbonia. "It is a great honor to be a leader in both."

Zerbonia holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Northeast Missouri State University and a master's degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. As a civilian, Zerbonia also serves as the president of the National Guard Association of Illinois.

He said every leadership position he's held in the National Guard has prepared him to be the Land Forces Commander and he looks forward to the challenge.

"One of the number one missions for the National Guard is homeland security and that dovetails perfectly with what I do with the Illinois State Police," said Zerbonia.