Funds will go toward creating a one call/one click resource for veterans

Dubuque, IA - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today announced that the Federal Transit Administration has obligated $1,461,800 to the Iowa Department of Transportation for the Veterans Transportation and Community Living Project. The funding will create a database that will hold veterans' transportation information and combine it with other resources to create a comprehensive database to start a one-call/one-click resource. This will allow veterans, persons with disabilities, persons over 60, and the general public to access information about transportation and other human service resources available.

"The more resources veterans, the disabled, and the elderly have to assist them in transportation, the more ability they have to live a full and active life," said Braley. "At the very least, we owe our veterans reliable transportation, and the assistance to the rest of the community will be a great asset to many groups. I am pleased this funding is coming to Iowa and hope the resource database will provide new information and assistance to these groups."

Braley has worked hard to provide needed assistance to veterans. Less than a month ago the Andrew Connolly Veterans Housing Act, which he introduced, was signed into law by President Obama.

ALI AL SALEM, KUWAIT (08/24/2012)(readMedia)-- Nearly 60 days after arriving in Kuwait 10 Illinois Army National Guardsmen became members of a proud tradition during a right sleeve insignia ceremony at the Army Life Support Area (LSA) post chapel Aug 15.

For most, this was a second and third right sleeve patch awarded, but for one Soldier it was his fourth time, said Maj. Jeff Walden, Theater Gateway deputy director.

"This is my fourth deployment, but first time to have a ceremony." he added. "It reminds you of the importance of the mission."

For Spc. Kaila McConkey, an Arcola, Ill., native, it was the first time in her nearly four-year enlistment to receive the right sleeve patch.

"I feel that becoming a veteran and serving is one of the greatest and most important things that anyone can ever do," said McConkey.

The right sleeve insignia or combat patch was first introduced during WWII. Since that time Soldiers who have deployed to a combat area, or as a combat support element overseas, have earned the privilege and honor of wearing the right sleeve insignia.

"We may be here in a combat support role, but the role here is sending Soldiers into the fight," said Sgt. Maj. Diane Rogers of Girard, Ill., Theater Gateway sergeant major, "I've served in Afghanistan and know what they (Soldiers) are up against."

Col. David L. Jones, 113th Sustainment Brigade commander, attended the ceremony to show his support and add a few words of encouragement.

"Yes, you are a small unit, but your mission is enormous," said Jones. "We are warriors first and logisticians second."

The Illinois Guardsmen are deployed to Kuwait for a nine-month long rotation. Their mission, according to Lt. Col. Natalie Northern of Springfield, Ill., director of the Theater Gateway, is to provide transportation, billeting and accountability for U.S. servicemembers, DoD employees and contractors entering and exiting Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan for deployment, redeployment, rest and recuperation, emergency leave and temporary duty.

Photo caption: Lt. Col. Natalie Northern of Springfield, Theater Gateway director, receives the right sleeve insignia of the 113th Sustainment Brigade from Col. David Jones the 113th Sustainment Brigade commander, at the Army Life Support Area post chapel in Kuwait Aug 15. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Joshua S. Edwards)

MARSEILLES, IL (08/22/2012)(readMedia)-- Roughly 150 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers competed in the 2012 Adjutant General's Combat Rifle and Pistol Competition August 17 to 19 at Marseilles Training Center in Marseilles.

The annual competition is designed to highlight and evaluate the marksmanship skills of Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers, said Sgt. Terry Pody of Machesney Park, the state rifle competition team coach with the 135th Chemical Company in Machesney Park.

"The Army defines the paramount Soldier skill as marksmanship," said Pody. "Here we train marksmanship to the highest standard."

Pody said the Soldiers compete in five individual and four team events that test competitors' abilities to engage multiple targets from different distances and positions including standing, kneeling and prone.

"Their performance has been outstanding. They're doing very well, demonstrating a high standard of personal skill," said Pody.

The Adjutant General's combat rifle and pistol competition is the only statewide marksmanship competition in the Illinois National Guard.

Warrant Officer 1 Kyle Gleason of Lincoln, with the 3625th Surface Maintenance Company in North Riverside said the competition brings out Soldiers with all types of experience and skill. With the diversity of shooters there are few trends, just a display of skill and luck.

"Rookies will always surprise you and old shooters will always have some sort of critical error," said Gleason. "This is the best place to find that Soldier who runs faster and shoots straighter than everybody else. It gives them a chance to shine."

Gleason said the competition tested Soldiers individually and also their abilities to work as a team.

"You'll have a team who comes up to an event they've never done before and they have little time to prepare for it," said Gleason. "They have to coordinate extensively and execute the mission and will have instant feedback on what they did good or bad."

Following the competition, Soldiers were awarded plaques, Governor's 20 tabs and certificates by Maj. Gen. Dennis Celletti of Springfield, the Acting Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard.

"These rifle, pistol annual matches are a critical element that identifies the top shooters out there in the field and in our organization," said Celletti. "Marksmanship is a key skill, and we need to recognize those Soldiers who stand out, shoot better and exceed the marksmanship standard."

The top Soldiers will now compete at the regional and national levels in the next few months.

The list of top teams, winners and Governor's 20 recipients follows:

Top three individuals

1. Spc. Lucas Kinkelaar, Carterville, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, Effingham

2. 1st Lt. Justin Conley, Downers Grove, 135th Chemical Company, Machesney Park

3. Spc. Scott Lange, Aurora, Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry, Aurora

Top three teams

1. Company A, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, West Frankfort

2. Field Support Company, 766th Engineers Battalion, Decatur

3. 233rd Military Police Company, Springfield

Team Rifle Competition

1. Company A, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, West Frankfort

2. HHT, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment, Kewanee

3. Field Support Company, 766th Engineers Battalion, Decatur

Overall Pistol Team

1. 233rd Military Police Company, Springfield

2. Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment, Aurora

3. Field Support Company, 766th Engineers Battalion, Decatur

Governor's Top 20

1. Spc. Lucas Kinkelaar, Carterville, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, Effingham

2. 1st Lt. Justin Conley, Downers Grove 135th Chemical Company, Machesney Park

3. Spc. Scott Lange, Aurora, Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment, Aurora

4. Staff Sgt. John Hunter, Elburn, A Company, 405th Brigade Support Battalion, Streator

5. Pfc. Michael Weinberg, Mokena, 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Chicago

6. Cadet Zachary Boyd, Normal, HHC 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Machesney Park

7. Staff Sgt. Marcin Koch, Elwood Park, 3625th Surface Maintenance Company, Springfield

8. Warrant Officer 2 Brandon Gibbs of Pleasant Plains with Company B, 634th Brigade Support Battalion, Champaign

9. Sgt. Bryan Helfrich, Dixon, 333rd Military Police Company, Freeport

10. Staff Sgt. Jason Thompson, Murphysboro, HHC, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, Marion

11. Spc. Todd Buhlig, Decatur, Field Support Company, 766th Engineers Battalion, Decatur

12. Staff Sgt. Lance Odum, Carbondale, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, West Frankfort

13. Staff Sgt. Daniel Alarik, Hoffman Estates, HHC, 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Chicago

14. Staff Sgt. Adam Felty, Shumway, Field Support Company, 766th Engineers Battalion, Decatur

15. Staff Sgt. Dimar Vasquez of Chicago, Company C, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Joliet

16. Warrant Officer 3 Cameron Stanberry, Arenzville, Field Support Company, 766th Engineers Battalion, Decatur

17. Spc. Kenneth Browne, Lisle, Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment, Aurora

18. Spc. Mike Paxson, Chicago, Company B, 405th Brigade Support Battalion, Crestwood

19. Spc. Kyle Greene, Edwards, Company A, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Bartonville

20. Staff Sgt. Hunter Lawsonlloyd, Valparaiso, Company C, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Joliet

CAMP VIRGINIA, KUWAIT (08/20/2012)(readMedia)-- Explosions have become frequent occurrences for the Soldiers stationed in and around Camp Virginia, Kuwait. Fortunately, these explosions are actually the result of the Army's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team (EOD) which disposes a variety of unexploded ordnance (UXO) under controlled conditions.

These threats are identified by the Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers of the quick reaction force (QRF) platoon with 444th Chemical Company in Galesburg. While the primary mission of the platoon is camp security, they are also prepared to recognize and react to a wide variety of ordnance. If an item is identified while on patrol, the QRF provides security of the site until EOD assets can arrive on scene and dispose of the threat.

Since the QRF arrived at Camp Virginia in April, the platoon has identified more than 60 individual pieces of UXO during patrols. The QRF has been locating remnants of Operation Desert Storm, a conflict fought more than 20 years ago.

"Soldier safety is the most important aspect of our operation," said Staff Sgt. Andrews Kolakowski of Bethalto, a squad leader with the QRF platoon. "The platoon has been well trained and I'm confident in their ability to perform their assigned mission and react to potential threats such as these here in Kuwait."

Kuwait has long been known for its petroleum reserves. The combination of petroleum and territory disputes influenced the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and subsequent involvement of U.S. forces in 1990 to 1991. During that timeframe, a large variety of weapons were utilized by both sides in an attempt to gain control.

"The terrain in this area is very soft, and most of the ordnance we have found failed to detonate on impact," said Spc. Travis Grinter of O'Fallon.

The QRF has been finding rocket propelled grenades, mortar rounds, cluster sub munitions, and various anti-personnel and anti-tank munitions, which were all types used during Desert Storm.

"The high winds and sandstorms constantly change the lay of the land. As the sand turns over, some of the old ordnance is exposed," said Spc. Joseph Christy, of Cuba. "You have to be on your game and constantly aware of your surroundings."

The QRF will continue to do its mission and be vigilant while out on patrols.

"I am very proud of their accomplishments and development as a team," said Master Sgt. Jeffrey Roth of Bloomington, QRF platoon sergeant. "All but a few members of this platoon have volunteered for this mission and hail from other units within the state of Illinois, and I think that speaks volumes about the character of the Soldiers we have here."