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| Home Benefits & Rights News Items & Resources Information Library Community Home Front Help Site Map Contact Us |
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Protecting Our Reservists & National Guard Members Helping out Military Families in Illinois
Are you looking for a way to help Military Families?Many Illinois Military Families need assistance. Please make a contribution to the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund. 100% of the money donated goes to the families of National Guard and Reservist here in Illinois. So please make a tax deductible donation. You can make your donation on-line with a credit card. Simply, click here to donate via the internet. Also, you can make a donation to the following address: Illinois Military Family Relief Fund: 
Concert to Benefit Our TroopsJuly 19, 2008 Cantigny Park, Wheaton, IL Featuring CSI: NY's Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band! Click here for more information. 
Please click on the image above for the application and information. The deadline is March 1, 2008. If you still have questions, please contact: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 
Valentines For the Troops!!Operation Support Our Troops Illinois Send them to: OSOTIL 
Join Us in Sending Holiday Cards to the TroopsPlease join Lt. Governor Pat Quinn in bringing holiday cheer to our troops overseas. Send your personalized cards or letters to the Lt. Governor's office by Dec. 17. Thompson Center State Capitol  MAKE THE HOLIDAYS A LITTLE BRIGHTER FOR OUR TROOPS IN HARMS WAY
By donating one or more of the following items to be sent in care packages overseas:
(No glass please) November 8 through December 1 At all Chicagoland First Bank Locations:
All donors have a chance to win a guitar hand made by master craftsman, Mike Balinski. The Woodridge Jaycees Presents Bowling For Our SoldiersJoin us for an afternoon of BOWLING and FUN! Come out and show your support for OUR TROOPS!
100% OF THE NET PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT OUR TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH ‘The Illinois Military Relief Fund” REPLY NO LATER THAN 10-27 Make Checks To Woodridge Jaycees SPONSORED BY THE WOODRIDGE JAYCEES CAPS Implementation Office Veterans Resource FairAre you active or retired member of any of the branches of the military? Would you like to know more about public and private services that available to individuals who have served in the armed forces? If so, you and your family are encouraged to attend this free event. Location: Chicago Police Department, Central Headquarters (Multi-Purpose Room), 3510 South Michigan Pre-registration is not required. For more information, call the William Townsell at the CAPS Implementation Office at (312) 747-9984 or register via e-mail at william.townsell@chicagopolice.org. Please bring a copy of your DD-214’s to the event. Veterans' Adaptive Activities DayThe Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Chicago Park District are proud to invite you to Veterans' Adaptive Activities Day: A day of games, fun, food, music, and inclusive fitness for Veterans with Disabilities and their families and friends. September 8, 2007 Click here for a map of Northerly Island Pre-register by emailing events@dva.state.il.us or by calling 217-782-3393. Activities will include:
VetFair IV4th Annual Employment, Health and Benefit Fair for veterans of all ages is being planned for Saturday, August 11th, 2007 from 9:30am - 1:00pm at Kishwaukee College Conference Center (21193 Malta Road in Malta, IL). Employment Seminars will be held. Displays of military flags and equipment will help draw in participants. There will again be a live fire demonstration of a Howitzer (blank rounds, of course; courtesy of the Illinois National Guard, Sycamore, IL). VetFair IV is being planned by the DeKalb County Veterans Assistance Commission (DCVAC). Sponsors are: the Illinois Department of Employment Security (I.D.E.S), Illinois Employment & Training Center (I.E.T.C.); First Institute; Kishwaukee College; Illinois Representatives Robert W. Pritchard and Ron A. Wait; Illinois Senator J. Bradley Burzynski, and ResourceBank. The event is open to the public, as well. In 2006, 80% of our 180 registered attendees were veterans, representing 45 area communities. You are invited to participate by having a display of your services, sharing employment information, providing health screenings, donating money/items or simply volunteering your time and service the day of the event. In addition to the complimentary coffee table snacks, and listening to requests on how we can improve our event, we will add the sale of sandwiches at lunchtime. Those proceeds will benefit Boy Scout Troop 33, who again will be assisting with the activities of the day. Please contact either DCVAC Superintendent Herb Holderman or Executive Assistant Linda Drake at 815.756.8129. U.S. Army Sgt. Eric Edmundson Walks Out of Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago TodayFor U.S. Army Sgt. Eric Edmundson and his family, today is a day that shouldn't be happening. The man nearly killed in Iraq two years ago will walk out of Chicago's Rehab Institute and into the next chapter of his life. read the full articleHow To HelpA fund-raiser for U.S. Army Sgt. Eric Edmundson will be held at 115 Bourbon St., 3359 W 115th St. in Merrionette Park, between 6 and 10pm today, June 29, 2007. Proceeds will go toward construction of Eric's new home. Donations to the Edmundson Fund can also be mailed to: St. Andrew Lutheran Church USO Operation Camp R&RParticipant Application GuidelinesDoes an Illinois Service Member* you know need some quality R&R? The USO of Illinois announces a new essay contest to provide the winning entries with a free vacation package to the Northwoods of Wisconsin. USO Operation Camp R&R provides the opportunity for Illinois military personnel* of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) to apply for some much deserved time to unwind at the exclusive private Appleton Lodge located in Wisconsin's beautiful Eagle River chain of lakes. Several vacation options are available for families, couples and individuals to participate between the dates of July 1-21, 2007. The vacation package includes lodging, three daily meals, on-site recreation programs if desired and a pre-paid fuel card prior to departure to cover transportation expenses. Selection Process: Service members*, their family or command can submit the application. Applications must be emailed to lisamuso@attglobal.net or mailed to USO of Illinois, 700 E Grand Avenue, ste #105, Chicago IL 60611 by 5pm on Monday, June 15 2007. Winners will be selected and notified the week of June 18 2007. Those selected will receive a complete mission packet with additional details. Completed application includes an essay of no more than 150 words sharing your story of service and how a week of R&R in the Northwoods would be beneficial in your life. The application also includes your preferences in programming, length of stay and R&R dates desired. *Any veteran returning from OIF/OEF is eligible in addition to active duty personnel. Veteran's Career & Resource FairAll Veterans Welcome With Special Attention and Gratitude for our Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan PLEASE NOTE: Must be registered at the Illinois Skills Match website. Are you looking for a way to help Military Families?Here are ways that you can help them.
Many Illinois Military Families need assistance. Please make a contribution to the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund. 100% of the money donated goes to the families of National Guard and Reservist here in Illinois. So please make you tax deductible donation to: Illinois Military Family Relief Fund: You can now make your donation on-line with a credit card.CLICK HERE to make your donation via the Internet
To find out how to donate your miles click here
BE A PART OF THE LARGEST CELEBRATION EVER FOR OUR TROOPSJOIN IN AS HISTORY IS MADE RIGHT HERE IN CHICAGO!In support of "Military Appreciation Month" (May 2007) the Chicagoland Buick, Pontiac, and GMC dealers have teamed up with A Million Thanks (www.AMillionThanks.org) in an effort to help Chicagoans say "thank you" to members of our military and their families. On Saturday, May 26th, they will conduct "A Million Thanks Celebration" for Veteran's during a Chicago White Sox game at U.S. Cellular Field. One of the day's goals is to conduct the largest single-day collection of individual "thank you" cards and notes for the men and women serving our Country. As a tribute to the Active, Reserve and Retired Veteran's - the Buick, Pontiac, and GMC Dealers have created a Memorial Weekend celebration with the Chicago White Sox. There are 1,250 tickets being distributed to Military guests throughout 54 Chicagoland Buick, Pontiac and GMC dealers. A variety of activities are planned for the thank you event, including:
To find list of participating dealers and eligibility visit www.BPGDrive.com Silver Star Families
Our goal is to recognize the blood sacrifice of our wounded and remember their efforts by honoring them with the Silver Star Banner. Our mission is to also act as an advocate for the Wounded and to educate the public on the plight of the Wounded. To get more information on this program and recommend a Servicemember for a Silver Star Banner Click Here
Click here to see the Illinois Flag flown by our
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What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a psychiatric disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of life-threatening events such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or violent personal assaults like rape. Most survivors of trauma return to normal given a little time. However, some people will have stress reactions that do not go away on their own, or may even get worse over time. These individuals may develop PTSD. People who suffer from PTSD often relive the experience through nightmares and flashbacks, have difficulty sleeping, and feel detached or estranged, and these symptoms can be severe enough and last long enough to significantly impair the person's daily life. PTSD is marked by clear biological changes as well as psychological symptoms. PTSD is complicated by the fact that it frequently occurs in conjunction with related disorders such as depression, substance abuse, problems of memory and cognition, and other problems of physical and mental health. The disorder is also associated with impairment of the person's ability to function in social or family life, including occupational instability, marital problems and divorces, family discord, and difficulties in parenting. To find out more about PTSD click here |
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Portrait of a Soldier
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The USO of Illinois |
 The USO is a private, 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide morale, welfare and recreation-type services to our men and women in uniform (active duty, guard and reserve) and their families. Since 1941, the enduring style of USO service delivery — is to represent the American people by extending a touch of home to the military. The USO currently operates more than 130 centers worldwide, including ten mobile canteens located in the continental United States and overseas. Overseas centers are located in Germany, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Qatar, Korea, Afghanistan, Guam, and Kuwait. Service members and their families visit USO centers more than 5.6 million times each year. Here in Illinois the USO operates centers at O’Hare International Airport (Terminal 2), Midway Airport (Concourse C), Navy Pier (south arcade) and Naval Service Training Command, Great Lakes, Building 27. Additionally, coming this year is the new USO Mobile Canteen to bring the USO services to the field. Please visit the USO website for updated information on center hours, tickets, tours, and support services. For more information you can also call the USO of Illinois at 312-923-7070. |
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Calling Cards for Troops You can purchase the cards on line at the Military Exchange website. |
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The Illinois Military Family Relief FundFor information on how to apply for, support, or create a fund like the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund, visit the |
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If you have any questions you can call our toll free number at 866-417-8889 or send us an email at operationhomefront@operationhomefront.org
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This site is operated by the Lieutenant Governor of Illinois' Office. To contact the webmaster for this site please e-mail operationhomefront@operationhomefront.org. This site is not affiliated with OperationHomefront.net, and that site can be reached by clicking here. |
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Updates News Items & Resources Nationwide Grassroots Drive to Aid Military Families New Campaign Medals Recognize Iraq, Afghanistan Service DoD
Health Plan for Eligible National Guard and Reserve Members Announced
Nationwide
Grassroots Drive to Aid Military Families Quinn
Announces Proceeds from Special Edition Calendar Quinn
Unveils “Illinois Veterans' Health Initiative” Lt.
Gov. Pat Quinn Receives Donation from Illinois Elks Association DFAS
overpays 53,000 Soldiers in January Quinn
salutes “For the Fallen” Army
Reserve Undergoing "Deep,
Profound Change" 2005 Basic Allowances For Housing Rates Announced Information Library Medal of Honor Recipients from Illinois Community Photos
of Illinois Flags Overseas A
Soldier’s
Christmas Poem - Audio
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