Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 5, 2011.  The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.  They died Aug. 3 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device.  They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion,[Read More…]

CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–August 5, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today appointed Erica Borggren as director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs. An Illinois native and Army Veteran, Borggren previously served as a senior staff member for Army Gen. David H. Petraeus. She replaces fellow Iraq war Veteran Dan Grant, who is leaving[Read More…]

Annual Observance Will Honor and Remember Illinois Service Members Wounded or Killed in Action CHICAGO –(ENEWSPF)–August 5, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation establishing Aug. 7 as Purple Heart Day in Illinois. House Bill 1537 designates Aug. 7 as an annual day to honor and remember those in the[Read More…]

TINLEY PARK–(ENWESPF)–August 5, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to boost small businesses owned by Illinois Veterans. Under the new law, the state will set an annual goal of 3 percent of every state contract to be set aside for businesses owned by Veterans and service-disabled Veterans. “Veterans who[Read More…]

SPRINGFIELD–(ENEWSPF)–August 4, 2011.  The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) is hosting a free Helping Our Hometown Heroes benefits fair for veterans on Wednesday, August 10th at Frank Holten State Park (4500 Pocket Road, East St. Louis, IL 62205). The fair will bring federal, state and local agencies and organizations[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 3, 2011.  The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Staff Sgt. Kirk A. Owen, 37, of Sapulpa, Okla., died Aug. 2 in Paktia province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. [Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 3, 2011.  The Department of Defense announced today the death of three Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Staff Sgt. Patrick R. Dolphin, 29, of Moscow, Pa., Sgt. Dennis E. Kancler, 26, of Brecksville, Ohio, and Sgt. Christopher M. Wrinkle, 29, of Dallastown, Pa., died July 31[Read More…]

CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–August 3, 2011.  The Illinois American Legion has honored two associates at the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) for their efforts to help unemployed military Veterans return to work. Michael Ruffner, who works in the Woodstock office in McHenry County, and Tim Scarbrough, who works in the Murphysboro office[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 3, 2011.  U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded $1,159,122 in homeless prevention grants to two Illinois organizations that serve homeless and at-risk veteran families. The funding is provided through the new Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 2, 2011.  The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Staff Sgt. Leon H. Lucas Jr., 32, of Wilson, N.C., died Aug. 1 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine[Read More…]