(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — There will be parades and wreath-layings to commemorate Veterans Day on Monday.
“Veterans Day comes around once a year and we do a great job as a country to remember our veterans, but we also know that Veterans Day is 365 days a year as well,” said Major General Rodney Boyd, the Commander General of the Illinois National Guard.
“And so, one of the things our nation has done a great job of doing the last 20 plus years is recognize our veterans more than just on Veterans Day.”
According to the Department of Military Affairs, since the 9/11 attacks, 206 Illinois service members have died in combat – that includes 34 Illinois National Guardsmen.
“It is the ultimate sacrifice, right? And often we forget about those before us that paid that ultimate sacrifice. But one of the things, again, that we've done better as a nation is try to remember those, particularly those that pay the ultimate sacrifice. And then not only those that pay the ultimate sacrifice but their families too.”
Boyd says Veterans Day is not just about pageantry and sacrifice, it's also a look to the future, with a lot of promise.
“We're a big attraction too, right? Because we can offer you a skill set that lasts you the rest of your life, we can offer you college tuition – on the Illinois National Guard side of the house – that you can graduate from college debt free,” Boyd said.
“So we have to, we have to draw and we just, so we just want everyone to step up and be part of our organization.”
The Illinois National Guard has about 10,000 members.
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