military service Archives

Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets

August 23, 2024August 23, 2024 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets By Maria Pappas Illinois lawmakers have enacted significant changes to property tax exemptions benefiting veterans, including a landmark provision for those who served during World War II. These amendments, effective for the 2024 tax year, underscore our commitment to supporting our veteran…

Blogger, Commentary, Cook County, Maria Pappas, Opinion, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes, Veterans

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

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

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

New affordable homes to be built for veterans in Yorkville

April 13, 2021April 13, 2021 Ray Hanania

New affordable homes to be built for veterans in Yorkville Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity has a new initiative to build 116 affordable homes for veterans on 50 acres in Yorkville, Illinois. Operation Home America will provide affordable homeownership opportunities for military veterans and their families, 34% of whom are struggling to live on 30-80% of median…

Government, News, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans

Families Invited to Add Veterans’ Names to Orland Park’s Memorial Wall

April 12, 2021April 12, 2021 Ray Hanania

Families Invited to Add Veterans’ Names to Orland Park’s Memorial Wall Those Wishing to Add Veteran’s Name to Orland Park Memorial Wall Must do so by May 1 The Village of Orland Park hosts ceremonies each Memorial Day and Veterans Day and invites area families to add their veterans’ names to the Village’s granite walls…

Briefs, Cook County, Features, Government, News, NewsWire, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans

Remembering our fathers and the past

June 29, 2020June 29, 2020 Ray Hanania No Comments

Remembering our fathers and the past The story about my father, a proud immigrant from Palestine who came to America in 1926 to get away from the religious hatred that plagued Christians, Muslims and Jews. He loved America. Fought to defend America enlisting right after Pearl Harbor with his brother, and taught his children to…

Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Cook County, Features, General Topics, Opinion, Racism, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans

Orland Park native exemplifies “We Build, We Fight” legacy of Navy Seabees

August 22, 2019August 22, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park native exemplifies “We Build, We Fight” legacy of Navy Seabees By Alvin Plexico Navy Office of Community Outreach “We Build, We Fight” has been the motto of the U. S. Navy’s Construction Force, known as the “Seabees,” for more than 75 years. Commander Michael Meno, a 1991 Carl Sandburg High School graduate and…

News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

Chicago native serves aboard versatile U.S. Warship half-a-world away

May 22, 2019May 22, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Chicago native serves aboard versatile U.S. Warship half-a-world away By Robert Zahn Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class, Navy Office of Community Outreach Seaman Clarkensy Smith, a native of Chicago, joined the Navy to travel and see the world. Now, one year later and half a world away, Smith serves aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam, patrolling…

News, Veterans, Veterans Column

Honoring Veterans this Memorial Day weekend

May 22, 2019May 22, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Honoring Veterans this Memorial Day weekend By Jerry Field This is one of several holidays when we can honor and salute our Veterans who defend our country’s freedom and form of government that insures that freedom. Seldom we have ventured to foreign soil and help those who need our assistance to maintain their freedom and…

News, Veterans, Veterans Column

Oswego Navy Recruit works on guided missile destroyer

March 7, 2019March 7, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Oswego Navy Recruit works on guided missile destroyer U.S. Navy Seaman Melissa Van Barriger, from Oswego, Illinois, uses a controller to operate a sliding pad eye onboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) during a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193) in the South China Sea, March 3, 2019. The John…

Photos, Releases, Veterans, Veterans Column

Orland Park native supports “Silent Service” at Pearl Harbor Sub Training Center

February 13, 2019February 13, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

Orland Park native supports “Silent Service” at Pearl Harbor Sub Training Center By Erica R. Gardner Chief Mass Communication Specialist, Navy Office of Community Outreach. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rusty Pang An Orland Park, Illinois, native and 2007 Carl Sandburg High School graduate is serving at the U.S. Naval Submarine Training Center…

Features, General Topics, News, Orland Park, Suburban Chicagoland, Veterans, Veterans Column

Veterans News and Views

January 29, 2019March 17, 2019 News Editor No Comments

Veterans News and Views By Jerry Field Send your Veterans news and comments by email to [email protected] Dear Veterans and Stakeholders: This week is the quarterly webcast hosted by Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D., Under Secretary for Benefits, on January 31 at 2 p.m. ET. During the webcast, Dr. Lawrence will discuss the Veterans Benefits Administration’s progress…

Read More “Veterans News and Views” »

Veterans, Veterans Column

Veterans column: suicide remains a continuing problem for veterans

January 14, 2019January 14, 2019 News Editor No Comments

Veterans column: suicide remains a continuing problem for veterans By Jerry Field send new and events to [email protected] There have been discussions and few actions taken on the increasing problems of post-Vietnam Veterans, specifically addressing the high degree of suicide and other related illnesses, mental, physical and social. The solutions are not easy and a proper…

Baby Boomers, Veterans, Veterans Column

A few thoughts and best wishes for the New Year

January 1, 2019January 1, 2019 Ray Hanania No Comments

A few thoughts and best wishes for the New Year By Jerry Field There may be a time when we need to combine both to address several serious situations within the Veteran community. Suicide rates run about 20 persons per week nationwide; the homeless population is increasing; unemployment among Veterans is way above the national…

Veterans Column

Women and men Health Information available at VA Hospitals and Online

October 23, 2018November 10, 2018 News Editor No Comments

Women and men Health Information available at VA Hospitals and Online By Jerry Field It’s not a new service and offers a wealth of information on dozens of subjects. It’s been mostly in print and available at VA hospitals. The service is www.health.mil. Known as the official website of the Military Health Systems and Defense…

Features, Veterans, Veterans Column