LOCKPORT SOLDIER RETIRES FROM ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARD

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (10/28/2015)(readMedia)-- By Staff Sgt. James McDonnough, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – After more than 26 years of military service, Lt. Col. George Pohlman, of Lockport, Illinois, is retiring from the Illinois National Guard. Pohlman most recently served as the executive officer of the Illinois National Guard's 65th Troop Command Brigade based in Springfield, Illinois.

While Pohlman will officially end his service October 31, family, friends and fellow Servicemembers gathered to honor him during a retirement ceremony at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois October 17.

Pohlman said his time with the Illinois National Guard not only benefitted him, but he is also grateful for the opportunity to have served his nation.

"I owe a great portion of my success, both personally and professionally to the National Guard," he said. "I appreciate the good order, the discipline and the honor of serving. There are a lot of people in the country who would love that option and having done that is something I will always cherish."

Col. Michael Glisson, of Festus, Missouri, commander of the 65th, said Pohlman's hard work and dedication will be missed by all those with whom he worked.

"He's brought a lot of tenacity and a lot of enthusiasm to everything he and I have worked on and he's always brought a lot of energy to whatever project he's tackling," Glisson said. "He has always been well grounded, with a high level of maturity and has always been a great guy to work with."

Glisson also said Pohlman, whose full-time career as an educator in the Chicago area, would be able to devote himself more fully to his family and the education of young students without the worry of being pulled away for military service.

While Pohlman joked about starting work on a 26-year-long list of tasks for his wife, Debra, she said their future plans include much more relaxing endeavors.

"My father gave him a motorcycle for his years of service so we've been doing a lot of riding," she said. "He had one many moons ago and it's all he ever talks about so we will definitely continue with the riding."

Debra also said she too will miss the camaraderie of their military family.

"I have enjoyed the military aspect of our life together, so I feel like I'm losing a part of my family," she said. "I will miss the weekends I was able to go with him and experience the military traditions and meet the honorable men and women who are serving our country. However, I will definitely enjoy getting to spend more time with him."

Photo Cutline 1: Col. Michael Glisson (left), of Festus, Missouri, commander of the Illinois National Guard's 65th Troop Command Brigade in Springfield, Illinois, congratulates Lt. Col. George Pohlman, of Lockport, Illinois, after presenting him with the Meritorious Service Medal during a retirement ceremony held for Pohlman Oct. 17 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. Pohlman is retiring after 26 years of service to the Illinois National Guard and most recently served as executive officer for the 65th. Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. James McDonnough

Photo Cutline 2: Lt. Col. George Pohlman (left), of Lockport, Illinois, the executive officer for the Illinois National Guard's 65th Troop Command, poses with a framed copy of the Gettysburg Address presented to him by Col. Michael Glisson, of Festus, Missouri, the commander of the 65th, during a retirement ceremony honoring Pohlman. Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. James McDonnough