FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5, 2011
Governor Quinn Announces August 7 Purple Heart Day in Illinois
Annual Observance Will Honor and Remember Illinois Servicemembers Wounded or Killed in Action
CHICAGO
– August 5, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation
establishing Aug. 7 as Purple Heart Day in Illinois. House Bill 1537
designates Aug. 7 as an annual day to honor and remember those in the
military who have been wounded or killed in battle and honored with a
Purple Heart. Since the legislation will not take effect until 2012,
Governor Quinn also issued a proclamation to ensure that observance of
Purple Heart Day will begin in 2011.
“Men and women of the U.S.
military, especially those that sacrificed life or limb, deserve the
honor and respect of all Americans,” Governor Quinn said. “I am proud
to remember our Veterans by adding this ceremonial day for those who
bravely served and protected the United States.”
“The Purple
Heart is an honor available to all, but desired by none,” Daniel Finn
said, State Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
The
Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration still awarded to members
of the United States military. It was established by General George
Washington on August 7, 1782. Initially called the Badge of Military
Merit, the Purple Heart is a decoration awarded to any member of the
Armed Services who has been wounded or killed in action. Since World
War I, nearly two million Purple Hearts have been awarded to combat
veterans, including at least 42,000 from the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
House Bill 1537 was sponsored by Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora) and Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora). It takes effect Jan 1.
From Department of Veterans Affairs Website: DoD Re-evaluating Retirement Determinations for Some Veterans
The DoD Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) is re-evaluating Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) and Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) disability ratings for some Veterans medically separated between September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2009, to ensure a correct disability retirement determination was made. Veterans who received a combined disability rating of 20 percent or less and were not found eligible for retirement can apply to have their MEB/PEB disability rating reviewed for fairness, consistency, and accuracy. Former reserve members with greater than 20 years of total federal military service but fewer than 20 years of active duty, who meet the above criteria, are also eligible to apply. Learn more about the PDBR and how to apply. Questions on the PDBR can be sent to PDBRPA@afncr.af.mil.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has successfully deployed a new automated system that is delivering faster, more accurate payments to Veterans attending school under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Click here for more information.
Illinois
Veterans have many benefits available to them. Illinois is
currently the only State that pays for tuition for either
undergraduate
or graduate study at all Illinois public
universities and community colleges. Visit the following
website
to learn more:
http://www.collegezone.com
Or
contact the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.
The
State of Illinois also provides assistance to Veterans in many counties
through the Veterans
Assistance Commission.
The
Veterans
Assistance Commission is a separate County Governmental
Agency that is operated by and for veterans. The
Commission
provides needed services to military veterans and their families.
It
is designed to provide needed services to eligible veterans
and families
according to written standards adopted and applied consistently by the
Veterans Assistance Commission. Advocacy
services are provided
to all veterans in those counties having a Veterans Assistance
Commission.
The
veteran MUST provide "proof" of their military discharge (DD214 or
equivalent).
Examples
of some of the services are:
Provides
transportation for veterans to and from the VA hospitals and clinics
Provides
advocacy services to veterans and their families
Provides burial services for indigent veterans
Helpful links:
Illinois State Department of Veterans Affairs
Illinois Veterans Assistance Commission
Illinois Veterans Bonus Application
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
National Association of Veteran Service Officers
Veterans Service Organization Links; e.g., American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America, etc.
Click here for information on getting replacement medals.