New Berlin Soldier Retires After 30 Years in Illinois National Guard

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (05/17/2011)(readMedia)-- Col. Anthony P. Libri, Jr. of New Berlin, with Joint Forces Headquarters in Springfield and the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk, will retire from the Illinois Army National Guard June 30.

He served as an officer for 30 years, including tours overseas to Afghanistan, Bosnia, Croatia, Germany, Hungary and Panama, among other countries.

"The Illinois National Guard is all I've known for the last 30 years," said Libri. "While I will retire from the military, I'll continue to help and support Illinois Guardsmen even without the uniform."

Libri served in the United States Marine Corps from 1972 to 1974 until an injury caused him to separate. After physical rehabilitation, he attended the Illinois State Fair where a local radio announcer talked to him about serving in the National Guard. In 1981 Libri became an officer for the Illinois Army National Guard.

When Libri joined, he was assigned to the 139th Public Affairs Detachment (PAD) and was a part of the unit until 1998.

Libri's civilian background was in public relations, which greatly added to his capabilities in the PAD. He worked for WICS News Channel 20 in Springfield as a weatherman from 1979 to 2002 and has also been a radio and television broadcaster for the past 30 years.

Libri said he watched the Illinois National Guard go from being something people never thought of as a military organization to a ready and relevant force able to answer the nation's call in the event of a disaster.

"We were always there to help with flood duty," Libri said. "We were never thought of as anything else. We were called weekend warriors and now we're top notch."

Libri said his unit was one of the first National Guard PADs to get called for active duty to support U.S. military operations in Bosnia in 1997. He said he was also part of a team that helped get the Hungarian Army into NATO.

"That was a very interesting experience," said Libri. "Who would have thought that this little guy from Springfield, Ill. would be put on a team to help the Hungarian Army qualify for NATO? That was a big thing for me."

He said the only reason he is getting out of the National Guard is because of the mandatory retirement age of 60 is fast approaching.

"I have grown old with the Guard," said Libri.

Libri said when he retires he plans to continue to work as the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk, continue to volunteer and spend time with his family.

He said the one thing that has not changed in his life, is his desire to help others. Libri said being in the Illinois Army National Guard has been an opportunity very few people get and it has allowed him to travel and see other countries and help those in need.

"They are so taken by surprise when someone helps when they didn't have too," said Libri. "How fun it is when you give a gift to a kid that has not received one before."

The life-long public servant said while he was the senior mentor to the Afghan National Police and Commander of the Police Mentoring Teams for Kabul, Afghanistan he helped create an all boys orphanage in Afghanistan. He said the orphanage was built next to an all girls orphanage.

"What a blessing to help lay the cornerstone for what's going to be hopefully an organization that keeps these boys alive," said Libri. "This is what I could do in the short amount of time I was there."

Libri said he has always wanted to help others and give back to the community.

"Some people helped us in the past," said Libri. "I always said that if I had the chance, that's what I want to do when I get older, is help other people. That is how I was raised and that is what I do now."

Brian Schackmann, a liquor inspector with the Sangamon County Zoning Board, has known Libri since 1991. He said he has volunteered with him on numerous projects and will continue to help his friend.

"It has been kind of rewarding for me helping him out," said Schackmann. "He is such a giving person and he has always been there."

He has helped the community through his charitable habits and people adore him for what and who he is, said Schackmann. He is the kind of guy that will walk along streets and pullout his wallet and give someone money.

"That is his nature, he has always been like that," said Schackmann. "He is an amazing guy and that is why everybody around here likes him so much. I can't say how many times I have helped him, because he does it all the time."

Libri said he has assisted many charities throughout his life. He has helped the American Legion, Toys for Tots, March of Dimes, Italian American War Veterans, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Brother James Court, Veterans of Foreign Wars and many other organizations over the years.

"I believe the highest form of service to others is the highest compliment I can pay to my community," said Libri. "I just like being involved."

Retired Col. David E. Leckrone, a consultant for the military and veterans affairs, said Libri always looks on the bright side of things. He said he knows how to make people feel good about themselves and help motivate them to want to do more with their lives.

Leckrone, who went to Army War College with Libri, said Libri believes that if you have a positive attitude towards others it will reflect within others.

"The formula is like this," said Leckrone, "When you lead people, never ask anybody to do something you wouldn't do yourself. Always put the shoe on the other foot and look through the eyes of the Soldier's you lead."

Leckrone said there is not a bad bone in Libri's body and he does whatever he has to do in order help others.

Schackmann said what Libri has done locally has allowed charities to seek him out. They try to get him involved because they know what good he has done. It is not just the fact he volunteers his time, but it is because his friends and family volunteer also, he said.

"He doesn't talk about it, he just does it," said Schackmann. "He doesn't sit there and tell you what he is doing, he just goes out there and leads by example and shows you what to do. I certainly know that the Italian American War veterans probably wouldn't be there if it wasn't for him, because not only is he the creator, but he is the one that keeps it going," said Schackmann.

He leads by example and that is why he is good at what he does, said Schackmann. He said Libri is involved with everything and he believes that it is how he does things.

"I think it is just him," said Schackmann. "I think it is in his nature. I think he felt a need to serve his country; I think he feels the need to serve the people of Sangamon County. If there is somebody who has less than him, he wants to do what he can to help them. You don't see Tony saying 'you should do this' or 'you should do that,' or 'look what I have done,' he just does it and people watch him and appreciate him and enjoy being part of it."

Libri said that his career has been successful and anything can be done with a little work.

"I would hate to be old and gray in my rocking chair telling my grandkids that I didn't do anything that was exciting with my life," said Libri. "I'll never have to worry about that. I've seen people take leadership roles and do wonderful things with them and I've seen the Illinois National Guard go from just an average guard unit to one of the best in the country. I am proud of Illinois too because it takes care of its guardsmen."

Story by Sgt. Ryan Twist, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Photo 1: Col. Tony Libri of Springfield

For high resolution photos, please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at ngilstaffpao@ng.army.mil

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