Veterans Column Archives

Illinois Provides Important Resources for Service Members, Veterans, and their Families

November 8, 2023November 8, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Provides Important Resources for Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Confidential hotline and customized training resources help prevent suicide Illinois Governor JB Pritzker acknowledged U.S. Service Members who dedicate their lives to protecting the nation’s independence and freedom today by reminding residents about the Illinois Governor’s Challenge Campaign. The initiative created the Veterans Crisis…

Illinois Legislature, News, Veterans, Veterans Column

Illinois ranks in bottom five in study of Best and Worst states for veteran care

November 7, 2023November 7, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Illinois ranks in bottom five in study of Best and Worst states for veteran care As National Veterans Day is rapidly approaching – 11th November 2023 – many will be planning their celebrations to honor military veterans across the U.S. With Google searches for “2023 Veterans Day Parade” up 1,900%, in the past 90 days,…

Civil Rights, Federal, Illinois Legislature, National, News, Veterans, Veterans Column

What can America do with $14.3 billion?

November 6, 2023November 7, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

What can America do with $14.3 billion? By Ray Hanania In 2022, the Social Security Trust Fund had a $22 billion deficit, which shows you how little Congress cares about Seniors compared to how they care about some foreign countries. When the deficit was announced, no Republican or Democrat members of Congress rushed to resolve…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Employment, Health, Opinion, Politics, Racism, rayhanania, Seniors, Taxes, Veterans, Veterans Column

Veteran Diana Howard courageously confronts abusive Orland Park Mayor

September 6, 2023September 6, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Veteran Diana Howard courageously confronts abusive Orland Park Mayor By Ray Hanania Most people have come to know Orland Park Village Board meetings as a distasteful bully pulpit where Mayor Keith Pekau belittles his critics, lies and portrays himself as the victim of a vast conspiracy. Pekau claims everyone who criticizes his government actions defames…

Blogger, censorship, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Orland Park, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column, women

Decorated Iraq War veteran Senator Michael Hastings appointed to two key statewide veterans groups

August 29, 2023August 29, 2023 Press ReleaseChicago No Comments

Decorated Iraq War veteran Senator Michael Hastings appointed to two key statewide veterans groups State Senator Michael E. Hastings was appointed to represent the Senate in two statewide veterans’ task forces. Hastings (D-Frankfort) will be serving as a member on the Breakthrough Therapies for Veterans Suicide Prevention Program Advisory Council and on the Veterans Service-Related…

Frankfort, Illinois Legislature, News, Senator Michael Hastings, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

Senator Michael Hastings appointed Chairman of the Illinois Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee

July 26, 2023July 26, 2023 News Editor No Comments

Senator Michael Hastings appointed Chairman of the Illinois Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee State Senator Michael Hastings, an Iraq war veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service in a Combat Zone, was named this week as the Chairman of the Illinois State Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee. “Our veterans selflessly served our country and…

Government, Illinois Legislature, News, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

Lipinski Foundation All American Eagles presents Patriotism Awards

April 29, 2023April 29, 2023 Ray Hanania No Comments

Lipinski Foundation All American Eagles presents Patriotism Awards The All American Eagles program is extremely proud and very happy to present to Jeffery J. Kranig the Eagle Head Award for countless acts of patriotic community involvement and unlimited devotion to our land of liberty and fortress of freedom. The following are some of Mr. Kranig’s…

Bill Lipinski, News, Veterans, Veterans Column

Wreaths Across America Radio Announces New Strategic Partnerships with Veteran Radio Programs

February 6, 2023February 6, 2023 News Editor No Comments

Wreaths Across America Radio Announces New Strategic Partnerships with Veteran Radio Programs New programming added to the Wreaths Radio lineup is veteran-centric and aims to inform, educate, and entertain! Wreaths Across America Radio, is a full-time internet radio station that broadcasts a variety of music, news, and stories regarding American veterans, their families, and the ongoing community…

Entertainment, Health, National, News, Radio, Technology, Veterans, Veterans Column

The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs announces Veterans’ Grant recipients

December 27, 2022December 27, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs announces Veterans’ Grant recipients Nearly $350,000 in grants allocated to organizations serving Veterans from the Winter Winnings Lottery Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) announced the first quarter of FY23 Veterans’ Grant Recipients of nearly $350,000 awarded to organizations that provide vital services to veterans including homelessness, and post-traumatic…

News, Veterans, Veterans Column

USS Chicago returns home from final deployment

November 7, 2022November 7, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

USS Chicago returns home from Final Deployment From Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Chicago (SSN 721) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam following a seven-month deployment, Nov. 2, 2022. It was the submarine’s final deployment before decommissioning, which is scheduled to begin in…

Chicago, News, Veterans, Veterans Column

Bolingbrook native becomes member of elite Navy Honor Guard

November 7, 2022November 7, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Bolingbrook native becomes member of elite Navy Honor Guard By Stephanie Fox A native of Bolingbrook, Illinois, recently completed an intensive 10-week training program to become a member of the elite U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard. Airman Rodrigo Godinez, a 2022 Downers Grove South High School graduate, joined the Navy six months ago. Today, Godinez serves…

News, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

Cook County Awarding $1.5 Million in Honor Grants to Nonprofits That Serve Veterans

September 15, 2022September 15, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Cook County Awarding $1.5 Million in Honor Grants to Nonprofits That Serve Veterans Awards will help expand existing programming for veterans and their families Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced $1.5 million in funding for Honor Grants, a program spearheaded by the Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs (CCVA), to expand programming offered by…

Cook County, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

Right from the Middle: Can we win the war in Ukraine?

August 3, 2022October 18, 2022 William Lipinski 2 Comments

Right from the Middle: Can we win the war in Ukraine? Before America should enter any war, they should have a clear strategic plan developed on how to win that war. Our record of winning wars has been marred by many failures over the decades including most recently our withdrawal from Afghanistan where the terrorist…

Bill Lipinski, Blogger, Commentary, Federal, Opinion, Politics, Ukraine, Veterans, Veterans Column

Tinley to honor National Guard for vaccination center partnership

June 7, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Tinley to honor National Guard for vaccination center partnership The Tinley Park Village Board on Tuesday will issue a proclamation recognizing the Illinois Air and Army National Guard for its contributions to the first COVID-19 mass vaccination site at the Tinley Park Convention Center. The Village opened the site, which was the first in the…

Baby Boomers, Government, Health, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

Mundelein native serves U.S. Navy at Assault Craft Unit Five

March 23, 2022March 23, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mundelein native serves U.S. Navy at Assault Craft Unit Five By Jeffery Tilghman Williams Chief Mass Communication Specialist Navy Office of Community Outreach Petty Officer 1st Class Mike Gielczyk, a native of Mundelein, Illinois, serves the U.S. Navy at Assault Craft Unit Five (ACU-5) operating out of San Diego, California. Gielczyk joined the Navy eight…

News, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

American Pride Displayed at this Year’s National Wreaths Across America Day Events

December 19, 2021December 19, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

American Pride Displayed at this Year’s National Wreaths Across America Day Events More than 2.4 million Sponsored Veterans’ Wreaths were Placed by Volunteers at 3,136 Participating Locations Across the Country National Wreaths Across America Day took place Dec. 18, 2021 at 3,136 participating locations across the country. Our nation’s heroes were remembered as each name was…

National, News, Veterans, Veterans Column

Bloomington Illinois Navy Student Recognized for Excellence by Air Force

December 7, 2021December 7, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Bloomington Illinois Navy Student Recognized for Excellence by Air Force Bloomington Illinois Sailor earns Air Force 316th Training Squadron’s Student of the Month By Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Jason Sikora GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – The 316th Training Squadron at Goodfellow Air Force Base holds a student of the month competition with more…

Features, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

Active duty sailor sends cheers to Chicago family

December 6, 2021December 6, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Active duty sailor sends cheers to Chicago family GULF OF OMAN (Nov. 7, 2021) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Oterrius Pouncy, from Chicago, Ill., gives family a holiday shout out aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), Nov. 7. Essex and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are deployed to the U.S. 5th…

Chicago, News, Veterans, Veterans Column