24th Anniversary Desert Storm Remembrance Ceremony to be held Saturday

[February 26, 2015]  Springfield – The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) will host the 24th Desert Storm Remembrance Ceremony to remember and honor those who served, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice during Operation Desert Storm 24 years ago.

The ceremony will take place on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2014, at 11 a.m., at the Illinois State Military Museum, 1301 North MacArthur Blvd., Springfield. The event is free and open to the public.

EVENT INFORMATION:

• IDVA Acting Director Erica Jeffries will host the event.
• Keynote Speaker: Lt. Col. Tina Marie G. Mansfield, Illinois Air National Guard, 183rd Fighter Wing, Air Operations Center
• Gwen Diehl, a U.S. Army Desert Storm veteran, is the event organizer and MC.

Desert Storm cost 382 American lives, 147 of those combat deaths. There were 467 wounded in combat, and the overall cost of the war was $61 billion dollars, with some $53 billion paid for by contributing or Coalition nations.
The military services of the United States – to include Active Duty, National Guard and Reserves – joined with Coalition Forces to stop aggression and eject Iraqi forces from Kuwait in early 1991 after an invasion and brutal occupation by forces under Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. The Coalition air campaign began early on Jan. 17, 1991 and stripped away Iraqi air defense, command and control, ground combat elements, and logistical capabilities.

The ground offensive operations – commonly termed the “100-Hour War” – began at 4 a.m., Feb 24, overwhelming Iraqi ground forces, capturing thousands, and ejecting the remainder out of Kuwait. The Coalition Forces, under the command of Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, unilaterally ceased offensive operations against the Iraqis at 8:01 a.m., Feb. 28, 1991.

Specific Illinois Benefits for Desert Storm Veterans:

Persian Gulf War Bonus - A one-time $100 Persian Gulf War bonus is for those who served between August 2, 1990 and November 30, 1995, and received the Southwest Asia Service Medal, and were a resident of Illinois 12 months immediately prior to entering the service, and were discharged honorably. Individuals currently on active duty who served in the Persian Gulf War may apply.

Event Information:

• Overflow parking is available to the rear of the museum.

• Guests are welcome to tour the museum before or after the ceremony. The museum depicts the rich history of the Illinois National Guard.

For media interviews with IDVA personnel, please contact Ryan Yantis, communication manager, IDVA, [e-mail] or 312-814-0778.

[Ryan Yantis, Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs]

Fourteen military personnel from Illinois died during the conflict.  They were:

Name                                                   Service                               Date of Death                Home of Record

Stanley W. Bartusiak                     U.S. Army                           Feb. 25, 1991                    Calumet City

Charles W. Cooper                          U.S. Army                           Feb. 21, 1991                    St. Charles

Dale Thomas Cormier                  U.S. Air Force                    Feb. 15, 1991                    Crystal Lake

Gary W. Crask                                   U.S. Army                           Jan. 19, 1991                     Springfield

William D. Cronin, Jr.                    U.S. Marine Corps            Oct. 8, 1990                       Elmhurst

James P. Heyden                             U.S. Army                           March 12, 1991                Chicago

Raymond L. Horwath, Jr.             U.S. Marine Corps            Nov. 30, 1990                   Waukegan

Patrick R. Hurley                            U.S. Army                           Feb. 21, 1991                    New Douglas

William J. Hurley                            U.S. Marine Corps            Oct. 8, 1990                       Chicago

Kenneth T. Keller                            U.S. Marine Corps            Oct. 8, 1990                       Glenview

Earnest F. Mitchem                        U.S. Army                           April 13, 1991                   Granite City

Stephen R. Phillis                            U.S. Air Force                    Feb. 15, 1991                    Rock Island

Christian J. Porter                           U.S. Marine Corps            Feb. 27, 1991                    Wood Dale/Springfield

Bradley R. Schuldt                          U.S. Air Force                    Aug. 29, 1990                    Arlington Heights