New commander takes over Echo Company guard unit
November 28, 2012 12:20PM
1st Lt. Dante Allen
Article Extras
Updated: January 15, 2013 3:33PM
Echo Company 634th Brigade Support Battalion of the Illinois Army National Guard recently held a Change of Command Ceremony honoring the new commander, 1st Lt. Dante Allen. The outgoing commander was Capt. Halton Reeves III.
During the ceremony, Reeves received the Army Commendation Medal for his outstanding leadership as commander since 2009.
Reeves passed the unit colors to Allen, who has served nine years in the military.
The battalion was established in 1993 and has eight units around the state of Illinois.
Echo Company is based at the National Guard Armory on West Jefferson Street in Joliet.
The National Guard has been an important component of the war against terrorism. Echo Company was deployed to Iraq to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The National Guard also serves during state and national disasters.
Serving refreshments for the event was the American Veterans Motorcycle Riders Association.
Make holidays special
The goal of the Military Ministry at St. Mary Immaculate Parish is to provide spiritual support to military families who have loved ones currently deployed, and to always remember those who are giving and have given so much of themselves through their unselfish service to the country.
People are asked to devote an hour to pray for those who wear uniforms at 6 p.m. Dec. 21 in the St. Mary Immaculate Adoration Chapel, 15629 S., Route 59, Plainfield.
Veterans Writing Group
Governors State University invites veterans to join a new Veterans Writing Group, where they will discover the craft of narrative writing in a small, supportive group environment.
Groups will meet for six-week workshops beginning in January to learn new skills and share camaraderie with other vets.
“Narrative writing helps veterans bridge the cultural divide between their military and civilian life,” said Robin Thompson, university lecturer and coordinator of the program.
“Their stories are important and may one day become a valuable family heirloom or community resource — everyone benefits.”
There is no charge for participation in the Veterans Writing Group.
Governors State University is at 1 University Parkway, University Park.
To register, contact Thompson at 708-534-4581 or rthompson@govst.edu.
Jean Edwards is looking for veterans to write about in her Over There column. She can be reached at 815-773-7172 or jedwards@stmedianetwork.com.
