Memorial Day - It's more than a day off

Memorial Day is not just another holiday - it is our chance to take a moment and pay tribute to those who gave their full and final measure in service of our great nation. On patriotic days like this, we often ask "what else can we do for our veterans?"

Illinois Joining Forces (IJF) is a statewide organization connecting service members, veterans and their families to quality organizations who are equipped to provide meaningful services and resources.

As interim executive director I've met veterans and their families who deserve to be honored. I've also met civilians leading organizations hoping to solve issues veterans face.

While many men and women return from the military and transition back to civilian life, there are other veterans seeking assistance. There are also family members that need to be prepared to help their spouse, child or parent.

We recently met Maria, a teacher and mother of three. In 2014, Maria lost her 27-year-old son Joseph, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, to suicide. Maria struggled to find peace as she coped with the loss. She had to remain strong as she cared for her family and her students. She found the Veterans Restorative Project, which offers iRest or integrative restoration. The guided meditation allowed her to relax and learn coping mechanisms to manage her emotions and stress.

There are more than 500 organizations, like the Veterans Restorative Project, serving veterans across the state. You can help honor our veterans by volunteering your time, donating goods or service, or most importantly spending time with our veterans and their families.

As we enjoy our hard-won freedom, we need to honor our veterans more than a few times a year and we need to remember all of the other men and women who support our veterans every day.

Colonel Andrew C. Dillon

Interim Executive Director, Illinois Joining Forces