It takesabout $80,000 to fully support just one Honor Flight. $30,000 of that is paid for by the Guardians that accompany the veterans and that leaves just $50,000 to sponsor a flight.

The Edward W. Knapper VFW Post 6174 is hoping that through the residents, various organizations, and businesses in the Eldridge and North Scott area that we can raise that amount to be able to say that we, as a community have fully funded one Honor Flight.

The post has opened an account at DuTrac Credit Union in Eldridge that will receive deposits from the community. If one is depositing a check, it needs to be made out to either VFW Post 6174 (with notation to HONOR FLIGHT) or it can be made out to Honor Flight of the Quad Cities, as they have established a local account as well.

Honor Flight of the Quad Cities is a non-profit 501(C)3 organization. Your donation is tax deductible.  For background information: http://www.honorflightqc.com/

We are looking for donations both large and small. From pocket change to memorials, all donations are welcome.

We are looking for any fundraising source that may be out there; classroom projects, neighborhood donations, sewing circles, book clubs, Sunday School collections, service organizations, and collectors clubs are all possibilities.

We will have containers placed at various businesses around town. We urge anyone that wishes to have a container placed in their place of business to call Duane Miller at 285-8613 and he will get one there for you. This would be a great way to honor any veteran; whether it be your brother, sister, spouse, parent, grandparent, or classmate.

Our ultimate goal is to get all WWII veterans out to Washington DC to see their memorial. The number of WWII vets is diminishing every day. Korean Vets are now eligible and hopefully Honor Flights will continue long enough to be able to include Vietnam Vets as well.

The local VFW is passing along 100% of all donations. We have no administration fees to deduct from your generosity. What we take from this project is the satisfaction of getting more veterans recognized for their service to our country.

Please contact Duane Miller for any additional information you may need.

SYCAMORE, IL (01/31/2013)(readMedia)-- Story by Sgt. Kenneth Vasser, Unit Public Affairs Representative, Illinois Army National Guard

The artillerymen of Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery opened their armory doors to the general public, local leaders and family and friends for an open house Jan. 27, at the Sycamore Armory.

The purpose of the Open House was to give the public an opportunity to learn about the unit's history and military mission, see unit equipment and facilities, and visit with the Redlegs of Alpha Battery.

Visitors were given a presentation on the history and lineage of the unit and its involvement in various conflicts throughout history. The main event of the day was a full-speed "dry-fire" artillery demonstration that explained how the "eyes," "brains" and "brawn" of the field artillery work together to achieve mission success.

"Artillerymen work hard," said Capt. Dustin Cammack of Chicago, battery commander. "The forward observers are the "eyes," they travel with the infantry and send us target information. The fire direction center, the "brains", then processes that information into firing data. Then the gun line, known as the "brawn," uses that data to put steel on target," said Cammack. "When all things are in sync, it's a beautiful thing."

Guests were able to see firsthand the inner workings of the technology, equipment and technical proficiency involved with modern day field artillery. The spectators observed four "dry- fire" missions as Soldiers and leaders explained and demonstrated their duties, tasks and responsibilities as artillerymen.

"The event was an overall success," said Staff Sgt. Jorge Solis of Wheaton, a cannon crew chief. "The motivation of the Soldiers was high, and the community was involved and attentative."

Spc. Levi Kammes of Crystal Lake, a cannon crew member, appreciated the local community's support.

"It was a great day and a great opportunity for the community to support the unit and really see what is within the armory walls," said Kammes.

The unit hopes to maintain its strong connection with the city of Sycamore as the Soldiers continue their commitment to serve the community and nation.

"We are truly grateful and proud of the support this unit has received from the people of Sycamore," said Cammack. "It has allowed us to be such an amazing part of American history and this town's history for nearly 100 years."

More than 40 people attended the first-ever open house at the Sycamore Armory. Notable attendees included state Rep. Bob Pritchard, 70th District, Paul Herbert, First Division Museum at Cantigny executive director, and Alison Ruble, USO of Illinois president and CEO.

Before Washington officials said that women could go into combat, they were out there in battle, but just not getting credit for it. Armed with M16's and more robust firepower, women support troops backed up infantry units and got into the thick of it when called up to lend support. Transportation troops, in Iraq and Afghanistan, driving the IED laden roads with critically needed ammunition and supplies were always in the combat zone, explosive devices frequently causing the loss of limb and life attested to that.

Miyoko Hikiji, a young woman from Iowa knows well of it?well enough to write a book about it.  All I Could Be?My Story as a Woman Warrior in Iraq tells it just the way it was when, as a young woman in the Iowa National Guard, she was deployed to Iraq after the invasion ten years ago and discovered that the peaceful world she knew amid the Midwestern farmland had been replaced by the wind driven sand dunes of Iraq. Peace she discovered had become a pleasant and distant memory. Armed with an M16 and the equipment of the modern warrior, Miyoko was told to take her weapon into the cab of a truck, sit behind the wheel, and join a series of convoys. Each day she drove deeper into harm's way.

And each night was a nightmare in the making.  Miyoko writes of one such night,

"The infantry's mortar platoon, just down the street, zeroed in and returned fire. The opposite bank exploded.  Then, two patrol boats fixed with automatic weapons screamed by opening fire along the bank. The radio on the patio lit up with chatter but we couldn't make out details.    Moments later it was silent again.  Voices on the radio became clear--all clear.  Reluctantly we climbed out of the hole and returned to our tents.  No one could sleep but no one wanted to talk.  We lay silently in our bunks until the sun beckoned us to start another day."

And, another day always brought stress, fear and all that war brings. "It is my war story," writes Miyoko, "it is part military history, part personal revelation, part therapy," the stuff of so many war stories that have become a vital part of the great American tradition. All I Could Be is a fascinating beginning to a new chapter in that great tradition: the recognition of the woman warrior in America. All I Could Be ?My Story as a Woman Warrior in Iraq. #9781933909585 will be published by History Publishing Company in March 2013.