IL NATIONAL GUARD RECOGNIZES SOLDIERS WHO SERVED IN AFGHANISTAN

IT'S OVER. 

A ONE-YEAR DEPLOYMENT IS OVER.

ABOUT 3,000 NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS SPENT THE LAST YEAR IN AFGHANISTAN; AND 18 DIED WHILE SERVING THE COUNTRY AND 90 WERE WOUNDED.  THEIR MAIN MISSION WAS TO TRAIN AND MENTOR THE AFGHAN ARMY AND POLICE FORCE. 

THEY DID SO - AND HAVE RETURNED HOME.

NOW, ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH, THE ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARD IS HOLDING A SOLDIER TRIBUTE.  IT BEGINS WITH A JOB FAIR AT THE HYATT REGENCY, MCCORMICK PLACE.  LATER, THE EVENING WILL BE PACKED WITH EVENTS, INCLUDING A CHANCE TO RECOGNIZE THE MEDAL RECIPIENTS.

AMONG THEM:

*66 PURPLE HEARTS

*8 BRONZE STARS WITH VALOR

THE EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. 

I WILL BE THERE TO WELCOME THE SOLDIERS HOME AND RECOGNIZE THOSE WHO WERE INJURED AND KILLED DURING THE MISSION.