Category: Veterans

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

Senior Social Security gets thrown under Illinois & US bus

October 29, 2022February 4, 2023 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Senior Social Security gets thrown under Illinois & US bus Although politicians in the Republican and Democratic Party pander to the senior vote, the Democrats did the most damage to the Social Security system fear mongering that if they don’t impose changes the system will collapse. But if the system were to collapse, it is…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Government, Health, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Seniors, Taxes, Veterans

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

Quincy Veterans home reports increase in COVID-19 cases

July 12, 2022July 12, 2022 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Quincy Veterans home reports increase in COVID-19 cases The Illinois Veterans’ Home at Quincy is experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases among its veterans and staff. Based on robust rapid testing and the support of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) laboratories, in quick succession the Department identified 16 residents and 10 staff positive…

coronavirus, Health, News, Veterans

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

Mayor Lightfoot, CarJackings and boredom. Update on Ukraine and the culture of smoking

February 10, 2022February 10, 2022 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mayor Lightfoot, CarJackings and boredom, and update on Ukraine plus the culture of smoking Two Guys on Politics: Live on Facebook is a discussion about a wide range of topics, many focused on politics locally in Chicagoland but examining issues nationally and international. This week’s Season 2, Episode 6 “Two Guys on Politics” podcast, taped…

Bill Lipinski, Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Crime, Government, Health, National, Opinion, Podcast, Police, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Television, Veterans

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

Time for one unified organization for veterans

November 24, 2021November 26, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Time for one unified organization for veterans Having two organizations to represent military veterans is wrong. The VFW and the American Legion should be combined into one group and all veterans should be allowed to join without the perception of discrimination. By Ray Hanania During my sophomore year at Northern Illinois University, I knew my…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, Editors Pick, Opinion, Veterans, Veterans Column

Chicagoland communities honor vets on Veteran’s Day Nov. 11

November 9, 2021November 10, 2021 Ray Hanania 1 Comment

Chicagoland communities honor vets on Veteran’s Day Nov. 11 Communities throughout the Chicagoland land area will honor those who served or continue to serve in the U.S. Military on Veterans Day Nov. 11, 2021 with a variety of program. A sincere dedication to all of the individuals who are serving, have served and those who…

Cook County, DuPage, Government, News, Orland Township, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans

Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Serve Illinois Revive the Spirit of Service through Serving Those Who Served

November 1, 2021November 1, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Serve Illinois Revive the Spirit of Service through Serving Those Who Served Serving Those Who Served is a week-long series of service projects centered around Illinois veterans and Veterans Day. The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs in partnership with Serve Illinois today launched the 2021 Serving Those Who Served…

Chicago, Cook County, Government, Illinois Legislature, News, Regional Midwest, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans

Westmont native serves as a member of U.S. Navy’s “Silent Service”

October 14, 2021October 14, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Westmont native serves as a member of U.S. Navy’s “Silent Service” By Megan Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach A Westmont, Illinois, native is stationed at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, homeport to all East Coast ballistic-missile and guided-missile submarines. Lt. Cmdr. Emil Marcinskas, a 2003 Westmont High School graduate, joined the Navy 10 years…

Cook County, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans

Face Masks, pandemic and “just in case”

September 10, 2021September 10, 2021 Ray Hanania No Comments

Face Masks, pandemic and “just in case” Ray Hanania writes about the silver lining for seniors in the COVID-19 pandemic and wearing face masks, and the impact it has on being a baby boomer, wearing cargo pants, and avoiding embarrassing need to snub offensive people. By Ray Hanania While the country is polarized over the…

Baby Boomers, Blogger, Commentary, coronavirus, Entertainment, Health, Humor, Opinion, Seniors, Veterans