Category Archives: Hometown Military News

10 Illinois soldiers return from Kuwait deployment

10 Illinois soldiers return from Kuwait deployment

Ten Illinois soldiers who are part of the Chicago-based 633rd Theater Gateway Personnel Accountability Team are back home for the holidays after serving overseas for nine months and they’re looking to catch up on lost time with their families.MORE

Remembering Josh Rodgers in pictures

Remembering Josh Rodgers in pictures

Remembering Josh Rodgers This photo gallery has been created to share the love and laughter of Josh Rodgers, 22, who was killed during a firefight against ISIS insurgents. His parents Kevin and Vondra Rodgers were notified of their son’s death on Wednesday. If you have photos you would like to add to the gallery please send…MORE

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…