Guard says thanks for support, sacrifice

The Illinois Army National Guard thanks the employers of its soldiers. Without their support and sacrifice the citizen-soldiers could not continue to serve their communities, state and country. Since Sept. 11, 2001, more than 9,000 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers have deployed in support of operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. Additonally, 3,000 troops with the Illinois Army National Guard's 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) will deploy to Afghanistan in the next couple of months. Your continued support is crucial to the success of the 33rd IBCT mission. These deployments are vitally important to our national security and to the developing democracies in Iraq and Afghanistan. We know these are dependable, professional people that are critical to the succes of your firms, factories and fields. The Illinois Army National Guard understands the burden created by the absence of your employees for a few days a month or for an entire year. For these reasons, we thank you for your support and sacrifice. Take comfort in the fact that your employees, these citizen-soldiers will return to the workplace after deployment with additional leadership skills, renewed motivation and the aptitude for fostering a temwork environment through any circumstance. Thank you for that support and for sharing your valued employees so that these patriotic men and women can continue to protect the citizens of Illinois and out nation.

Dennis L. Celletti

Major General

ILARNG Assistant Adjutant General-Army