“Today we come together to honor the brave men and women who fought for their country during the Gulf War,” Erica Jeffries told those gathered at the Illinois State Capitol recently. “Every service member who fought relentlessly during this war are true heroes.”
Jeffries is the director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA), which hosted the Springfield ceremony to remember the victims of Desert Storm on February 28. Gov. Bruce Rauner renamed the day "Desert Storm Remembrance Day" to honor those who served and lost their lives in the Gulf War.
Col. Lance Koenig, who has served in the Army for nearly 30 years, was awarded a Bronze Star for his role with the 7th Corps in Saudi Arabia and Iraq during the war.
The ceremony included memorial service for the fallen military members from Illinois. Ben Story from Bugles Across America played "Taps."
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