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During the ceremony at the Multi-Purpose Arena, state officials
unveiled a memorial dedicated to the 52 brave Illinois men and women
who lost their lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation
Enduring Freedom. Participating were Gov. Rod Blagojevich,
Department of Veterans' Affairs Director Roy L. Dolgos, Lt. Gov. Pat
Quinn and Brig. Gen. Randal E. Thomas, adjutant general of the state
of Illinois.
"We all are grateful for the ultimate sacrifice that these 52
service men and women made for the United States of America and pay
tribute to them today. I also want to extend my deepest condolences
to their families that are here today," Dolgos said. "To us here in
Illinois and across the country, they are heroes."
The cast bronze plaque will be displayed in the Illinois
Building's Senior Center near the main gate of the fairgrounds until
Aug. 23, when it will be placed in the state Capitol rotunda. The
plaque will move to its permanent home at the Illinois State
Military Museum at Camp Lincoln in mid-September.
"It is important that America understands the contributions these
brave souls have made and why we salute them today," said Rochelle
Crump, assistant director of the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
The department also hosted a competition for drill teams and
color guards from across the state. The winners are listed below:
- Senior drill team -- Eagles Elite, Edwardsville
- Senior color guard -- Eagles Elite, Edwardsville
- Junior drill team -- Tiger Elite, Barry
- Junior color guard -- Mattoon High School, Mattoon
- JROTC drill team -- Peoria High School, Peoria
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The day ended with a parade around the fairgrounds, again
honoring those who lost their lives in the Global War on Terrorism
in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as veterans of all other wars.
Participating in the parade were the 451st U.S. Army Band, returning
troops from the 233rd Company, ex-POWs, Korean War Veterans and
Chicago Veterans from the historic WW II Montford Point Marines and
Triple Nickel, members from the Filipino American Veterans of
Illinois, American Legion China Town, George L. Giles and Milton
Olive Posts, Women's Army Corps, the Veterans Strike Force-1, and
representatives from DVA, VFW, American Legion, AMVETS, Women
Overseas Service League and the Sangamon Valley Waves.
Also attending the activities and paying tribute were Illinois
Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka; state Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield;
and Reps. Rich Brauer, R-Petersburg; Linda Chapa LaVia, D-Aurora;
Mary Flowers, D-Chicago; Raymond Poe, R-Springfield; and Jim Watson,
R-Jacksonville.
[Illinois
Department of Veterans' Affairs
news release]
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