Illinois National Guard Adjutant General assumes command

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Brig. Gen. Daniel M. Krumrei of Springfield, the Illinois National Guard Adjutant General salutes Col. William Robertson, the 182nd Airlift Wing Commander during a Change of Command ceremony.

CHATHAM, IL (03/03/2013)(readMedia)-- Brig. Gen. Daniel M. Krumrei of Springfield assumed command of the Illinois National Guard (ILNG) from U.S. Congressman and retired Maj. Gen. William L. Enyart of Belleville during a Change of Command Ceremony held at Glenwood High School in Chatham, March 2.

Krumrei was appointed as the 38th Adjutant General of the State of Illinois to replace Enyart by Gov. Pat Quinn in December 2012

Enyart gave a sentimental farewell speech in which he expressed both humble thanks and gratitude for the opportunity to serve as The Adjutant General. He closed with confidence that the Soldiers and Airmen were left in good hands under the leadership of Krumrei.

"It's with great pride that I leave the Illinois National Guard in the hands of Brigadier General Dan Krumrei," said Enyart, who served as the 37th Adjutant General of the State of Illinois from September 2007 to June 2012. Turning to face Krumrei, he continued "They're all yours now, and I know you'll be successful because you have the best Soldiers and Airmen in the world."

Krumrei, who served as the command chaplain for the Illinois Army National Guard from May 2005 to December 2012, said he was chosen because of his history of caring for his fellow guardsmen and their families.

Krumrei said he has been proud to serve and get to know the families and network of people who support our Soldiers and Airmen to make us all successful in our missions.

"I am very honored to have the privilege to serve the people of Illinois as the 38th Adjutant General," said Krumrei. "We are the constitutional militia, a joint force of proud volunteers, citizen-Soldiers and citizen-Airmen of the Illinois National Guard who accomplish every mission with excellence."

Krumrei said all National Guards across the United States face many challenges, including the budget sequestration and possible reductions in force size. However Illinois' Soldiers and Airmen will continue to defend our nation under these fiscal constraints.

Since 9/11, nearly 22,000 ILNG Soldiers and Airmen have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. During these two wars, Guardsmen have also battled floodwaters and blizzards in efforts to support their local communities.

"We need to understand that the Illinois National Guard is as strong as it has ever been," said Krumrei, adding that he will continue to develop what has already been established. Krumrei said he intends to build on what the previous Adjutants General have already built and he would like to enable the Guardsmen to be more flexible by providing more tools to help balance work, life and duty obligations.

"Together we will shape our future," said Krumrei. "We will design, we will construct and we will march across a bridge to the future that we build. We will get to the future together and stronger."

Photo caption:

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kassidy L. Snyder, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ Brig. Gen. Daniel M. Krumrei of Springfield, the Illinois National Guard Adjutant General salutes Col. William Robertson, the 182nd Airlift Wing Commander during a Change of Command ceremony at Glenwood High School in Chatham, March 2. U.S. Congressman and retired Maj. Gen. William L. Enyart of Belleville, performed the military tradition of trooping the line with Krumrei.