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Photos of Illinois Vietnam War Heroes Still Needed

Never Forgotten: 2,044 Photos of Illinois Vietnam War Heroes Still Needed

Photos of Vietnam Heroes Needed for Inclusion in The Education Center at The Wall in Washington, D.C.

Washington, DC – The people of the state of Illinois suffered among the greatest number of losses in the Vietnam War, sacrificing 2,938 service men and women in combat. The Vietnam Memorial Fund’s (VVMF) mission to honor these heroes continues with the National Call for Photos, a movement to collect photos of the more than 58,000 service-members inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) in Washington, DC. When collected, all photos will be displayed for generations to come at The Education Center at The Wall, a place on our National Mall where our military heroes' stories and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

With the support of schools, volunteers, friends, and family from around the country, VVMF has collected more than 25,000 pictures to date, but only 894 from the state of Illinois.

The task is far from complete. Generous support from volunteers, fellow service-members, family, and friends is still needed in order to gather the remaining 2,044 photos necessary to honor our heroes from Illinois for display at The Education Center.

With a groundbreaking planned for November 2012, The Education Center at The Wall is a multi-million dollar, state-of- the-art visitor’s center and learning facility to be built on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans and the Lincoln Memorials. Visitors will better understand the profound impact the Vietnam War had their friends and family members, their home towns, and the Nation. The Education Center will feature the faces and stories of the 58,272 men and women on “The Wall,” honoring those who fell in Vietnam, those who fought and returned, as well as the friends and families of all who served. For more information, visit www.buildthecenter.org.

“Illinois suffered some of the highest casualty rates of any state in the Vietnam War,” said Jan C. Scruggs, Founder and President of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF).  “The Education Center at The Wall will allow Americans to put faces with the names of brave men and women who lost their lives, fostering their appreciation and respect for generations to come.”

VVMF urges the citizens of Illinois to assist the National Call for Photos by submitting photographs of fallen service-members and generously supporting the Education Center, ensuring that the sacrifices of our military heroes are never forgotten.


About the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund

Established in 1979, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (www.vvmf.org) is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., promoting healing and educating about the impact of the Vietnam War.

Authorized by Congress, its most recent initiative is building the Education Center at The Wall, an underground facility near the Memorial that will help visitors discover the stories of those named on The Wall and celebrate the values embodied by all service members who served in all of America’s wars.

Other Memorial Fund initiatives include educational programs for students and teachers, as well as a traveling Wall replica that honors our nation's veterans.

Support the Education Center at The Wall by visiting www.buildthecenter.org, calling 866-990-WALL, or by texting "WALL" to 2022.

Help Save Starved Rock State Park

Rally and Candlelight Vigil to be held

A rally and candlelight vigil will take place in Ottawa, Illinois on Sunday, January 8, 2012  at 2pm at what is known as the “JORDAN BLOCK" located by the intersection of LaSalle St. (RT 23) and Main Street.  It is located on the SE corner, just north of the River. 

On Thursday, a vote from the La Salle County Board will determine if a proposed Sand Pit planned to be adjacent to Starved Rock State Park will take place.  Midwest SOARRING Foundation along with Sierra Club, Prairie Rivers Network, the Starved Rock Audubon Society and many of Illinois citizens are concerned about the potential detrimental impacts from the mining operation on LaSalle County natural areas, waterways and Starved Rock State Park.

Midwest SOARRING Foundation is concerned with the cultural aspects of this area, which include Native American burial sites and village sites.  Joseph Standing Bear Schranz, President of Midwest SOARRING Foundation is also very concerned about the sacred sites including Council Overhang, the largest of the natural caves in that area comprised of porous material which, with the constant blasting and activity of a sand pit, could possibly cause these fragile areas to cave in. 

 Starved Rock State Park and the rare salt marshes in and around the proposed mine provide valuable habitat for a wide array of plant and animal life that will be directly and indirectly impacted by the noise, pollution, and constant activity generated by the mine. It is likely the mine will affect the hydrology and water quality that feeds these unique salt marshes.

Over two million people visit Starved Rock State Park each year for the uniqueness of this area which includes the sandstone canyons and waterfalls.  An active sand mine would erode the cultural, spiritual and scenic heritage of this special place.

HUD and VA Join to Help Illinois Homeless Vets

HUD, VA TO PROVIDE PERMANENT HOUSING AND SUPPORT

TO 60 HOMELESS VETS IN ILLINOIS

CHICAGO – U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced today that HUD will provide     more than $315,000 to public housing agencies to supply permanent housing and case management for homeless veterans in Illinois.

This funding, from HUD’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH), is a coordinated effort by HUD, VA, and local housing agencies to provide permanent housing for homeless veterans.  Peoria, Rockford and Rock Island County were part of 18 communities to receive the remaining $2.4 million appropriated for 2011 that will support 435 vouchers.  See chart below for amount for each.

This funding to local housing agencies is part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to end Veteran and long-term chronic homelessness by 2015.  Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness serves as a roadmap for how the federal government will work with state and local communities to confront the root causes of homelessness, especially among former servicemen and women.  Since 2008, HUD-VASH has provided more than 33,000 homeless veterans permanent supportive housing and supportive services.

“During this season of giving, I’m thrilled to announce that we have evidence that this funding is making a real difference to get homeless veterans off the street and into homes they can call their own,” said HUD Secretary Donovan.  “Thanks to the work done by HUD, and agency partners across the Obama Administration, the most recent homeless estimate shows veteran homelessness fell by nearly 12 percent in just one year.”

"This program provides critical assistance to those who have worn our nation's military uniforms and are in need of a home," said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. "VA and HUD will continue to work in partnership to end homelessness among veterans."

“Just as these men and women answered the call to protect our freedoms; we answer the call to protect them by providing these vouchers to get them off the streets and into permanent housing with supportive services,” said Antonio R. Riley, HUD’s Midwest Regional Administrator.  “This hand up will keep our Illinois veterans safe and cared for as they rebuild their lives.”

Today HUD also released its latest estimate on homelessness in America and found, veteran homelessness fell by nearly 12 percent (or 8,834 people) since January 2010.

The vouchers awarded today are part of the $50 million appropriated for Fiscal Year 2011 to support the housing needs of 7,250 homeless veterans.  VA Medical Centers (VAMC) provide supportive services and case management to eligible homeless veterans. Earlier this year, HUD awarded $46.2 million in HUD-VASH funding.  

Homeless veterans are referred to the public housing agencies for these vouchers, based upon a variety of factors, most importantly the need for case management services. The HUD-VASH program includes both the rental assistance the voucher provides and the comprehensive case management that VAMC staff provides.

Veterans participating in the HUD-VASH program rent privately owned housing and generally contribute no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent.  VA offers eligible homeless veterans clinical and supportive services through its medical centers across the U.S., Guam and Puerto Rico.

Public Housing Authority                   VA Medical Center    vouchers          12-month rental assistance

Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers Use Love for Motorcycles to Help Fellow Veterans

Soldiers Ride Steel Horses for Less Fortunate Veterans

SPRINGFIELD, IL  For years motorcycle groups have ruled the road. Black leather, dark shades, tattoos, and blaring exhausts have left an impression on passersbys and it has not always been a favorable one. Some motorcycle groups have become known for danger and lawlessness. The Warrior Brotherhood Veterans Motorcycle Club is different and challenges the negative stereotypes that have been associated with motorcycle groups.

"We don't want to give off the impression that we are some outlaw motorcycle club or anything like that," said Sgt. 1st Class David G. Keefer of Charleston, an Illinois Army National Guard recruiter for the Sullivan/Charleston area and president of the Springfield chapter of the Warrior Brotherhood Veterans Motorcycle Club. "We are veterans. We ride respectable and act respectable in public."

The Warrior Brotherhood Veterans Motorcycle Club is an organization made up of combat veterans supporting veterans. The three Illinois chapters located in Chicago, Springfield and Galesburg is a part of a national organization with its headquarters based in Florida.

"It's more about helping your local community and local veterans than it is just being motorcycle riders," said Chief Warrant Officer (2) Christopher M. Werth of Springfield, with the 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago and vice president of the Springfield chapter.

Keefer and Werth went through a natural progression in becoming a part of the Warrior Brotherhood Veterans Motorcycle Club. They both enjoyed riding motorcycles, appreciated the camaraderie found with brothers in arms, and most importantly, thought it was important to help other veterans in need.

"It's almost a fraternity where you get to be around guys with the same likes and interests that you have," said Keefer. "These warriors have done a lot of the same things that you have. It's really special to be able to share the road with guys like that and to share your experience. It's a good outlet and it does become a brotherhood."

There is a natural bond found within the organization because each man knows the importance of defending freedom and have proven their convictions while in combat.

"When you meet a World War II or Vietnam veteran, you know that they have seen a lot when they were putting their life on the line," said Werth. "You can relate to them because even though we weren't a part of the same wars, there is a bond since we have all served in combat."

While the relationships created an important aspect to the Warrior Brotherhood Veterans Motorcycle Club, the veterans supported by their efforts are the most important part and the reason they ride. The funds they raised have gone to numerous charities including creating memorial college scholarships, providing food for struggling veterans and supporting injured veterans.

The group has been involved with numerous events recently including Toys for Tots and gathering a truck load of hygiene and personal items for the Danville Veterans Affairs Hospital. They started the Sgt. Gerrick Smith college fund and have raised over one thousand dollars in honor of Smith, an Illinois Army National Guard Soldier from Sullivan killed in Afghanistan in July 2009.

"We have also assisted in two benefits for two of our own members hurt in accidents and we are adding three more Vietnam and Desert Storm veteran relief rides next year," Keefer said. "We are also assisting as escorts for returning units and fallen brothers and sisters in arms."

The club is also planning to help with honor flights to Washington D.C.

"You have to want to give to the ones that are less fortunate," said Werth. "You have to want to give back to your local community and make your living area and your city better. You have to have it in your own heart to determine if this is something you want to do."

There are 46 members between the three chapters in Illinois and they are always looking to increase their membership and, as a result, increase their impact.

"My goal is that we continue to grow and the public comes to see us for what we really are; veterans riding for veterans," said Keefer.

For more information on the Warrior Brotherhood Veterans Motorcycle Club visit www.warriorbrotherhood.com.

Photo: Photo courtesy of Sgt. 1st Class David Keefer/ Servicemembers from all branches who served during different wars are members of the Warrior Brotherhood Veterans Motorcycle Club. Illinois Army National Guard members pictured include (far left second row) Spc. Dalton Sargent of Sullivan, (right of the table) Sgt. 1st Class David Keefer of Charleston, Sgt. Robert Czerniak of Schaumburg and Chief Warrant Officer (2) Christopher Werth of Springfield (back row) Sgt. 1st Class Randy Clapham of Mattoon. The servicemembers share a love for motorcycles and embrace helping fellow veterans.

Story by Sgt. Jesse Houk, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment