Illinois National Guard Asists with Police Union Workshop for Chicago Veterans

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James A. Balcer, the alderman of the 11th Ward of Chicago and a Vietnam veteran, poses for a photo with fellow Chicago native Sidney Davis, the recording secretary for the Fraternal Order of Police

CHICAGO, IL (11/12/2010)(readMedia)-- Multiple organizations from the greater Chicago area and beyond came together in an attempt to build a support network for current servicemembers and veterans of the Armed Forces Nov. 6 at the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 7 in Chicago.

Veterans attended a military benefits workshop as 20 military supporting organizations came together to teach veterans what options for support are available to them. The Illinois National Guard Yellow ribbon Program helped organize the workshop.

The organizations came here to support a veteran's benefit workshop to help local veterans both military and civil servant, said Sid M. Davis, member of the Chicago Police Department (CPD), recording secretary for the FOP, and a retired Army Reserve Soldier.

This is for veterans from the Chicago Police Department, the Chicago Fire Department, active, retired and members who have served military careers.

The day was the fruition of nearly a year of coordinating and planning, initiated by Davis and the Chicago Police Department, which resulted in a community coming together and supporting those who serve and support the community.

"The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police decided almost a year ago that they wanted to reach out to veterans within the ranks of the Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Fire Department," said 2nd Lt. Justin Anweiler, the Illinois Army National Guard's Yellow Ribbon Program manager. "So they started to put together a military outreach program that is going on today."

"I think it's critical that every opportunity that you have to let people know what their resources are where their support is," said Col. Daniel M. Krumrie, command staff chaplain for the Illinois

National Guard. "Whether those resources are physical, emotional, or spiritual, you have to let those folks know and understand who is available for them. And that's what we are doing here.

"Roughly 20 organizations were present to support the event as well as individuals representing the police and fire departments, but the one common thread that connected them all was their love for service members. These groups represent both support groups and groups who value the sacrifice veterans have made.

"We have a responsibility professionally, personally, morally, ethically, to take care of service members," said Lt. Col. Michael J. Glisson with Joint Forces Headquarters. "And past that, thinking down range, one of the things we have to think about is not only those Soldiers, but their family members and children if they have them. The last thing that we need to do is to alienate an individual and all those people surrounding him or her because they weren't taken care of."

The event displayed a community coming together to take care of the men and women who take care of the community. The FOP plans on continuing similar events and is tentatively scheduling the next event to take place in approximately six months. Many of the event's organizers hope the concept will catch on in other communities throughout the state.

"I think that agencies like the Chicago Police Department and Fire Department by doing this are standing up and saying 'We are going to meet the needs of the veterans within our community.'" said Anweiler. "And I think it goes much deeper and further than the CPD and the CFD. I think it falls on every community in Illinois and every state agency in Illinois to be looking for ways and actively seeking ways to assist veterans."

Veterans have made contributions and sacrifices for their country and should never be overlooked, said Glisson.

"The veterans are an integral part of society; they're a national treasure," said Glisson. "The important thing about an event like this is that it's an organization taking care of its own people and the needs that those people have. It is a community based effort and event and ultimately that's where people end up; back in their community."