Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 23, 2011. The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Spc. Mikayla A. Bragg, 21, of Longview, Wash., died Dec. 21 in Khowst province, Afghanistan.  She was assigned to the 201st Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 22, 2011. Secretary of the Army John McHugh released today to Congress the results of a year-long effort to ensure accountability of gravesites and records at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC).  McHugh submitted the report in accordance with Public Law 111-339, which directed the Army to provide an accounting[Read More…]

Christmas Cards and Personal Letters Also Go to Service Members to Show Support SPRINGFIELD–(ENEWSPF)–December 20, 2011. Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) workers donated nearly 1,200 pounds of food and supplies to be sent to military personnel serving overseas through the holidays.  IDOT staff participated in a collection drive for the[Read More…]

New Laws Improve Access to Jobs, Health Insurance CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–December 19, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation that will improve the quality of life for Illinois’ Veterans. Senate Bill 1587, sponsored by Sen. Antonio Munoz (D-Chicago) and Rep. Edward Acevedo (D-Chicago), and Senate Bill 40, sponsored by Sen. Susan Garrett[Read More…]

Encourages Support for Operation Hero Miles; Making Annual Trip to Deliver Holiday Cards to Servicemembers Overseas CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–December 19, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn yesterday joined United Airlines to encourage people throughout Illinois to support Operation Hero Miles, a program that benefits servicemembers who were injured overseas. Through the program, people can[Read More…]

WASHINGTON, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–December 16, 2011. Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced yesterday that three Illinois communities will receive a total of $315,179 in Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) grant funding to help homeless veterans find shelter as they receive health and other services. “Last[Read More…]

Year-end event to host previous 2011 VOTM honorees CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–December 15, 2011. The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) on Friday (December 16th) will honor Jack Amberg, a Naperville resident and U.S. Army veteran, as its December 2011 “Veteran of the Month” during a ceremony at 1 p.m. (CST) at the[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 15, 2011. The Army released suicide data today for the month of November.  Among active-duty soldiers, there were seven potential suicides:  none have been confirmed as suicide and seven remain under investigation.  For October 2011, the Army reported 17 potential suicides among active-duty soldiers.  Since the release of[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 15, 2011. The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Maj. Samuel M. Griffith, 36, of Virginia Beach, Va., died Dec. 14 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 4th Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company,[Read More…]

Fort Bragg, North Carolina–(ENEWSPF)–December 14, 2011 – 11:52 A.M. EST MRS. OBAMA:  Hello, everyone!  I get to start you all off.  I want to begin by thanking General Anderson for that introduction, but more importantly for his leadership here at Fort Bragg.  I can’t tell you what a pleasure and an[Read More…]