Illinois National Guard Public Web Site

<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Nearly 100 Soldiers and family members learn valuable relationship skills<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><U><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p><SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"> </SPAN></o:p></SPAN></U></B></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Story by Staff Sgt. James McDonnough, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment</SPAN></I><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">DECATUR</SPAN></B><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">- Approximately 100 Soldiers and family members of the 766th Engineer Battalion in Decatur participated in a Strong Bonds weekend retreat at the Decatur Convention Center and Hotel Feb. 9 to 10.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Strong Bonds is an Army-wide program led by chaplains who provide relationship tools to married Soldiers and their spouses, as well as to single Soldiers who may be navigating the dating world. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Chaplain (Capt.) Vince Lambert of Chicago, director of the Illinois National Guard Strong Bonds program, said the program is not therapy, but takes a different approach to strengthening relationships.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">“Strong Bonds is marriage and relationship education,” Lambert said. “What we find is that so many people in their marriages, or in their relationships, are not necessarily equipped with the information and the education they should have. Strong Bonds is an attempt to enhance their relationship skills and give them some coping and communication skills to maximize the quality of their relationship.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Sandra Milner of Mascoutah, who attended the event with her husband, Staff Sgt. Jason Milner, readiness sergeant for the 661st and 662nd Fire Fighting teams in Sparta, said they were nervous they would have to share personal information with others, but they realized there was nothing to be scared of.</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">“It’s not like you’re in therapy where you have to tell them everything that’s going on,” Sandra said. “They give you the information and you can look at each other and know exactly which ones you’re having issues with. We also enjoyed the group discussions and the fun group efforts.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Sandra said the retreat helped her and her husband recognize how they could make improvements in their own relationship.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">“We just don’t spend that much time together and they kept telling us we have to do that,” she said. “We spend most of our time wrapped up with kids or work, but it’s never just us. That’s definitely something we will work on.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Spc. Jerry Radcliffe of Belleville, a firefighter with the 662nd, and his wife Lisa attended their second Strong Bonds retreat and were the longest married couple at the event, with 19 years of marriage. Radcliffe returned from Afghanistan in October and said a deployment makes events like this more meaningful. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">“It’s especially important for people like us,” Radcliffe said. “Just getting back from a deployment, you don’t get enough of that important time together, especially if you go straight back to work. But coming here lets you spend time together and your spouse gets to meet other spouses and the guys you deployed with.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">While the married couples were focused on strengthening and maintaining marriages, nearly 30 single Soldiers were learning how to evaluate potential partners, identify warning signs in relationships and even how to avoid falling for a jerk or jerkette.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Chaplain (1st Lt.) Monty Bowers of Shelbyville, a Strong Bonds presenter, said it is important to include single Soldiers in these events because they require relationship skills just like their married counterparts.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">“If they aren’t in a long-term relationship, they are probably looking for one and this gives them the opportunity to think about what they are looking for and how to seek that out,” Bowers said. “You know, the Army is pretty hard on relationships and if we can give them some knowledge that’s going to help them build a strong relationship, then that’s pretty significant.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Lambert said hosting a Strong Bonds retreat is something all commanders should consider. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">“It may not seem like it at the time, but it will be a combat multiplier in the sense that you will have Soldiers and military families who are more committed to each other and more happy at home,” Lambert said. “When they are more committed to each other and happier at home, they are more committed to their military role.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">-30-<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>

Soldiers Of 766th Engineer Battalion Attend Decatur Marriage Retreat
DECATUR-Approximately 100 Soldiers and family members of the 766th Engineer Battalion in Decatur participated in a Strong Bonds weekend retreat at the Decatur Convention Center and Hotel Feb. 9 to 10.

<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoPlainText><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">SPRINGFIELD </SPAN></B><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">– Thomas Povsner of Chicago, with the Illinois National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Feb. 3.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoPlainText><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Povsner enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1986 and commissioned in the Illinois Army National Guard in 1989. He is assigned as the director of Family Programs for Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In his civilian job, Povsner is an officer for the Chicago Police Department. Povsner deployed to Afghanistan from 2007 to 2008.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>

Chicago Soldier Promoted To Lieutenant Colonel
SPRINGFIELD - Thomas Povsner of Chicago, with the Illinois National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Feb. 3.

<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><FONT size=2><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN></I></B><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Feb. 10 ceremony honors Soldiers and families for sacrifice<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></FONT></P>
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<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=2><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">SPRINGFIELD</SPAN></B><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">– Approximately 20 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers with the Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST) A9 will be recognized Feb. 10 by the National Guard Bureau Freedom Salute Campaign for their sacrifice and service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The ceremony will be at 10 a.m. at Camp Lincoln, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd. in Springfield. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=2>The BEST Soldiers mobilized in January 2011 and returned home Nov. 1. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>The unique mission allowed Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers to train and deploy side-by-side with their Polish counterparts.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>The Soldiers are from various parts of Illinois and were selected for the mission based on their training and skills.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=2><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>The team was part of Task Force White Eagle XI, which included more than 3,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines from the U.S., Poland and Ukraine. The task force kept the roads between Kabul and Kandahar safe and reduced the insurgent influence in the area.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=2>Task Force White Eagle had the highest rate of found and cleared roadside bombs in the region, greatly reducing the number of innocent civilians, Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition Forces who were injured or killed.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>The task force also worked in regions of the country that were previously neglected and helped build a new security presence.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=2>The servicemembers worked with the International Security Assistance Force to coordinate and execute multiple raids with Afghanistan commanders that targeted the Taliban in Ghazni Province.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>The raids captured and removed a majority of the Taliban commanders and sub-commanders in the region.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>The task force also found and removed more than 30,000 kilograms of explosive materials from the area and the team found more than $21.3 million of lost and unaccounted for property.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">   </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=2>News media attending the event should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony and should notify the Public Affairs Office by 3 p.m., Feb. 8 to be granted access onto Camp Lincoln.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>For more information call the Public Affairs Office at 217-761-3569.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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Freedom Salute Ceremony Recognizes Specialized Springfield Unit For Deployment
SPRINGFIELD– Approximately 20 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers with the Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST) A9 will be recognized Feb. 10 by the National Guard Bureau Freedom Salute Campaign for their sacrifice and service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The ceremony will be at 10 a.m. at Camp Lincoln, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd. in Springfield.

<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><A name=OLE_LINK2></A><A name=OLE_LINK1><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Story by Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></SPAN></A></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 31.5pt" class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">SPRINGFIELD</SPAN></B></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> –</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> Col. Thomas Purple Jr. of Rochester will retire from the Illinois Army National Guard Feb. 6 after 30 years of military service.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 31.5pt" class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">“I’ve truly been blessed being in the Illinois National Guard,” said Purple. “It may not have been the path I thought I would have taken, but it ended up being the right path.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 31.5pt" class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Purple received his commission as an Air Force pilot after completing the Reserve Officer Training Course at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 1983. He later transferred to the Air Force Reserves and ultimately joined the Illinois Army National Guard as an armor officer in 1986.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 31.5pt" class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">“I went from wanting to fly jets to being a Soldier in a tank,” said Purple.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 31.5pt" class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Over the last three decades, Purple has served in several leadership and staff positions in units across Illinois. He said he has seen the Illinois National Guard grow and develop into the professional organization it is today. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 31.5pt" class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Of all the positions he held, there are two that remain the most significant in his life, he said. <SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1">          </SPAN>The first was as a platoon leader for Troop B, 1st Battalion, 194th Cavalry Regiment in Marseilles, when he learned the value of leadership and the importance of his Soldiers in a few simple words.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%" class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1">            </SPAN>“It was at the end of annual training, when a specialist said ‘Sir, I’m really glad you’re my platoon leader and I’m really glad I’m in your platoon,’” said Purple.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%" class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1">            </SPAN>The second was as the deputy commander of the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB). As a senior officer, he saw what his Soldiers and leaders accomplished throughout the MEB during its transformation from a chemical brigade. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 31.5pt" class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Purple said the 404th MEB remains close to his heart. He helped develop it from the ground up.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 31.5pt" class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“Maneuver enhancement brigades were a new concept that combined three major disciplines: chemical, engineers and military police,” said Purple. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“We were writing the doctrine for the MEB.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 31.5pt" class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Col. Michael Haerr of Eureka, with the Illinois National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters said he met Purple in 1991 and Purple’s work in the domestic operations section in the early 1990s prepared for the development of the MEB and its capabilities to support emergency relief efforts.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 31.5pt" class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Purple saw the ideas emerge and was able to provide a lot of knowledge for the MEB, said Haerr. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 31.5pt" class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Purple also developed strong community connections in the local area of the 404th MEB’s headquarters, the Calumet Avenue Armory in Chicago. Among his outreach efforts was the premiere of the documentary “Brothers at War” during an open house event allowing the community to tour the armory.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 31.5pt" class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">“People always wanted to know what was going on at the armory,” said Purple. “That event allowed them to learn more about the armory, its Soldiers and the Illinois National Guard.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 31.5pt" class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Over the years, Haerr and Purple have worked together during various Illinois National Guard operations, missions and deployments. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 31.5pt" class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">“He leaves a legacy of leadership and developing junior leaders,” said Haerr. “I think at some point in our careers as senior officers it becomes less about what we’re doing to more about what we’re doing for the organization.” <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 31.5pt" class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Purple has supported Illinois during times of emergency including the floods of 1993 and 2008 among other events in support of civil authorities. In his career, Purple has completed overseas operations and missions in Poland, Belize and Ukraine.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 31.5pt" class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">He deployed to Iraq in 2004 to 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and to Afghanistan in 2011 to 2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 31.5pt" class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Purple said he will miss serving, but most of all he will miss the Soldiers he served alongside. As Purple retires, he said his love and respect for Soldiers will stay strong. He plans to continue working with veterans, wounded warriors and servicemembers. He will begin a new job with the Department of Education in Washington, D.C.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">“I will always be a Guardsmen at heart,” said Purple. “I’m thankful for the leaders </SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">above</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"> me and the mentors I’ve had who enabled me to be who I am now.”</SPAN></P>

Rochester Soldier Retires After 30 Years Of Miltary Service
SPRINGFIELD – Col. Thomas Purple Jr. of Rochester will retire from the Illinois Army National Guard Feb. 6 after 30 years of military service.

Specialized Illinois National Guard Unit To Mobilize For Afghanistan
URBANA– A deployment ceremony is scheduled for approximately 20 Soldiers who will deploy to Afghanistan as part of an embedded training team. The ceremony for the Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST) A11 will be Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. at the Urbana Armory, 600 East University Ave. in Urbana.