ILNG Gold Star families honored at remembrance ceremony on Camp Lincoln

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (05/03/2015)(readMedia)-- Governor Bruce Rauner, Maj. Gen. Daniel Krumrei, the Adjutant General for the Illinois National Guard, other senior leaders and Soldiers gathered with the Gold Star Families at the Fallen Heroes Memorial May 3 at the Illinois State Military Museum on Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois.

Thirty-four Illinois National Guardsmen, 1 Airmen and 33 Soldiers, killed during Operation Iraqi and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Governor Rauner said these Guardsmen are our heroes.

"We all owe these brave men and women a great debt of graduate for their sacrifices," said Rauner. "It is a privilege to be here today to remember them, to honor them and to pay tribute."

Krumrei placed a wreath at the memorial on behalf of the Illinois National Guard while all Soldiers present rendered a salute honoring the fallen guardsmen.

"We have held this ceremony each year to honor these guardsmen and we will continue to do so in the future," said Krumrei. "These families will never forget their loved ones and we as the Illinois National Guard will never forget them."

The ceremony ended with the families placing a yellow rose at the base of the memorial and Rauner greeting each family member to offer his condolences.

Cutline 1: Maj. Gen. Daniel Krumrei, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard places a wreath at the fallen hero's memorial at the Illinois State Military Museum on Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois May 3 on behalf of the Illinois National Guard while all Soldiers present rendered a salute honoring the 34 fallen Illinois National Guardsmen and their families.

Cutline 2: Governor Rauner speaks to the Gold Star Families members May 3 at the Illinois State Military Museum at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois during a ceremony honoring the 34 fallen Illinois National Guardsmen killed in Operation Iraqi and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Cutline 3: Gold Star family members of the 34 fallen Illinois National Guardsmen killed in Operation Iraqi and Operation Enduring Freedom placed yellow roses at the base of the fallen hero's memorial May 3 during a ceremony at the Illinois State Military Museum on Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois.