Group wants to serve needs of returning vets

A grassroots organization started in February to meet the needs of returning veterans welcomes Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth, next week to its January meeting.

Support4Vets will meet at 7 p.m. Jan. 24 at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights.

The group hopes to build a network of volunteers to serve the needs of returning veterans -- particularly of those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan -- and in drawing the appearance of Duckworth, they feel they have hit something of a home run.

John Brennan of Mount Prospect, one of the group's founders and its chairman, describes Duckworth as Illinois' leading advocate for veterans' benefits since her appointment by Gov. Rod Blagojevich in November, 2006.

Duckworth, a Hoffman Estates resident, is an Iraq War veteran and currently a major with the Illinois Air National Guard. In November 2004, she was flying a Black Hawk helicopter that was shot by a rocket-propelled grenade, and she lost both legs.

Wearing prosthetic legs, she travels across the state in her role, and makes a powerful spokesperson for veterans and their rights.

Brennan describes Support4Vets as a resource network, currently consisting of 70 names of supporters, who are able to provide such services as vocational training, employment skills, and legal assistance, as well as emotional and spiritual counseling.

It started in September with an open meeting that drew 50 people, he adds, and they have been meeting every month since then.

"We owe these (veterans) something," Brennan said. "These are people who so far have made all of the sacrifices. This is a chance to give back."

The meeting is free and open to the public. Organizers welcome volunteers willing to share their talents, as well as veterans and area veterans' groups.

For more information, visit: www.support4vets.com.