WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley today announced that Humility of Mary Shelter, Inc. has received a $242,655 Homeless Prevention Grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

The funds are distributed through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program.  They are not earmarks determined by Congress.  Humility of Mary Shelter, Inc. can use the funds to provide services to approximately 125 households in Scott County, Iowa and Rock Island County, Illinois.  Services include case management, assistance in obtaining VA and/or public benefits, and temporary critical financial assistance.

-30-

ROCK FALLS, IL (07/26/2011)(readMedia)-- Capt. Michael Barton with the Illinois National Guard's 1644th Transportation Company has deployed and returned a decorated Soldier and now as the opportunity to deploy as the commander for the same unit.

Barton, a Greenview native, deployed as an enlisted Soldier with the 1644th in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004-2005, receiving a Purple Heart. Now as the commander of the Rock Falls unit, Barton believes he can do even more.

"With my other deployments, everything was being directed towards me," Barton said. "Now, I'm the one providing direction for the unit."

Barton deployed with the 1144th Transportation Battalion in 2007-2008 and received a Bronze Star for his service.

With two deployments under his belt, Barton took command of the 1644th in 2009. Barton admits to being a little nervous upon taking command, as he would be leading some of his former comrades. However, the Soldiers accepted him immediately and the relationship has only improved.

"When I found out he was coming back I was really excited," said Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Hacker of Rock Falls, a truckmaster with the unit who deployed with Barton in 2004. "He was a standout guy as an enlisted Soldier, and now he's a standout guy as an officer."

Now the 1644th will tackle line haul operations in Kuwait. They will move equipment throughout Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn.

"I'm excited for this deployment and what lies ahead for the 1644th," Barton said. "The team we have assembled is extremely professional, tactically and technically proficient. I have no doubt they will accomplish any mission that is given to them."

Lt. Col. Tracey Collins of Naperville, battalion commander for the 1644th, served with Barton when he was a young specialist and she was a youthful lieutenant with the Rock Falls unit. She said Barton is a great fit for the 1644th.

"Cpt. Barton is an awesome leader," Collins said. "You give him a mission and he runs with it. Having been in that unit for so long, he has established himself and earned the respect of his troops. I am 100% behind his leadership style."

While Barton is serving in an atypical role, he is commanding a unique unit. The 1644th has four husband and wife duos, two father and son tandems, and three groups of siblings in its ranks. Despite the familiar relations, Barton says this is the most professional team he has ever worked with.

"Being the commander of the 1644th has been the highlight of my 15 and a half year career to this point," Barton said.

The 1644th was mobilized in early July and will spend the next two months training at Fort Bliss, Texas prior to deploying to Kuwait. They will replace the 1244th Transportation Company from North Riverside, which was mobilized in September 2010.

Photo 1: Capt. Michael Barton of Greenview

Photo 2: Photo submitted/ Capt. Michael Barton of Greenview, then a staff sergeant with the 1644th Transportation Company in Rock Falls, sits atop a five-ton truck as his convoy travels through Iraq. Barton received a Purple Heart while deployed with the 1644th in 2004-2005. He is currently training in Fort Bliss, Texas preparing to deploy to the Iraq/Kuwait theater this summer, this time as the commander of the 1644th.

Photo 3: Photo submitted/ Capt. Michael Barton of Greenview, then a staff sergeant with the 1644th Transportation Company in Rock Falls, poses next to six Iraqi children. Barton was deployed with the 1644th in 2004-2005, receiving a Purple Heart. He is now preparing to deploy to Kuwait with the Rock Falls-based unit, this time as the commander.

Story by Spc. Brian Vorce, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

For high resolution photos, please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at ngilstaffpao@ng.army.mil

Become our Facebook Fan!

www.facebook.com/illinoisnationalguard

-30-

Rock Island, Ill. -- (July 20, 2011) The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Rock Island District is continuing to concentrate on water safety outreach at its lake and river projects after a deadly start to the recreation season at USACE parks nationwide.

As of May 31, 57 people have died on Corps-owned property nationwide this year, compared to 39 at this time last year - a more than 32 percent increase. Most of these fatalities were from drowning. USACE officials report that more than 90 percent of drowning victims at USACE parks were not wearing a life jacket.

"Public safety is our number one priority," said Maj. Gen. Merdith W.B. Temple, acting commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "The increase in deaths at USACE parks this year is of great concern to us. We want to do everything we can to make people aware of potential risks when they visit one of our recreation areas, and how to make good decisions that will improve safety for themselves, families and friends."

The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District Recreation Projects include : Saylorville Lake near Des Moines, Iowa; Lake Red Rock, Pella, Iowa; Coralville Lake, Iowa City, Iowa; the Mississippi River Project from Potosi, Wis., to Saverton, Mo.; and the Illinois Waterway from T.J. O'Brien Lock and Dam to La Grange Lock and Dam.

The Corps wants to remind its visitors to put safety first while recreating on its lands and waters.  Swim only in designated areas, learn to swim, use the buddy system, and do not exceed your abilities. Over half of the Rock Island District water related fatalities over the last 18 years have been swimming related.  If you are using your boat as a swim platform and jumping into the water to cool off do not forget to wear a life jacket. Limit your alcohol use and remember operating under the influence in a boat
in Iowa and Illinois is .08, just as it is in your automobile on the road. 

"Wearing a suitable life jacket is the single most important measure boaters and swimmers can take to decrease their risk of a water-related fatality. Just like wearing your seat belt in your car decreases your risk of serious injury or death," said Mike Cox, assistant operations manager, Rock Island District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

USACE officials encourage visitors to check local water and weather conditions and pay attention to recreation warnings, such as river closures from local emergency services offices prior to entering the water. Know your water and weather conditions before you go and let family and friends know where you are going and when you expect to return from your outing. You can find lake and river level information at www.Rivergages.com.  Officials stress the single most important item a person can do on the water to reduce risk is to wear a life jacket. USACE will continue its efforts to promote boating and water safety and with the public's support we will work to reduce
the risk and save lives. 

USACE is the nation's largest federal provider of outdoor recreation, hosting more than 370 million visits per year at 422 recreation parks in 43 states and we want our visitors to return to enjoy our sites again. 

For the USACE recreation area near you visit www.CorpsLakes.us.

-30-

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement after the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction found serious problems with oversight of U.S. aid efforts and funds in Afghanistan in a new report:

"This report is very troubling and it underscores the need for us to get out of Afghanistan now. We're blindly spending billions in Afghanistan while our own economy is teetering between an anemic recovery and the brink of a default. I've called for a true accounting of the cost of the war in Afghanistan since I came to Congress. Now, after almost a decade in Afghanistan, thousands of lives lost and billions of dollars misspent, it's clear that the cost is too high. We need to end this quagmire immediately."

The report released today found that American funds in Afghanistan are likely to be misspent, embezzled and funneled to insurgents unless a far-reaching policy change is implemented.

"U.S. agencies...still have limited visibility over the circulation of these funds, leaving them vulnerable to fraud or diversion to insurgents. We found that agencies have not instituted sufficient controls over U.S. funds, limiting their oversight," the staff of acting Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction Herbert Richardson wrote in the report released on Wednesday. The U.S. has spent more than $70billion on security assistance and development projects in Afghanistan since 2002.

###