News You Can Use

WE HAVE A NEW HOME!

Dear Friends of the Italian American Veterans Museum, Great news! The Italian American Veterans Museum has landed at its new location in Addison, Illinois. And better yet, we have allies to help us make the transition, including you! We are pleased to announce that we will occupy a splendid new space in a stately 100-year-old building situated across the street […]
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Veterans museums join forces to create first-ever campus

Photo: Founder Lorenzo Fiorentino shows off the Chicagoland Veterans Campus   Five Veterans museums from across the Chicago area have banded together to create a game-changing venture in Addison. The Chicagoland Veterans Campus will be located at 39 Army Trail Boulevard in a stately 100-year-old former school building owned by St. Paul Lutheran Church. Participating in the creation of the […]
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The moving order that launched Memorial Day

Two years after the end of the Civil War, the Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic penned an order that led to the establishment of Memorial Day. Issued by General John A. Logan on May 5, 1868, in Washington D.C., General Orders No. 11 is published here in its entirety in honor of all those who paid the […]
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IDVA opens office in Evanston

The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs has opened an office at 1901 W. Howard St. in Evanston. Veterans Service Officer Brandon Jagers will be available by appointment from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday to assist with claims, appeals and guidance. Jagers is an Army Veteran with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from Northeastern University. To make […]
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VACCC launches pilot shuttle service

The Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County is running a free, ADA-compliant shuttle service for Cook County Veterans between Hines VA Hospital and the VACCC office on Hamilton Avenue. The shuttle takes veterans to the VACCC office and back three times a day, Monday through Friday. The VACCC office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. […]
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Strum your way to wellness with Ukulele Lisa

Lisa Mannion, A.K.A Ukulele Lisa, offers free monthly group ukulele lessons to Veterans from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at the Joliet Veterans Recreation and Wellness Center, 3581 Hennepin Dr., Joliet. The sessions are sponsored by AllenForce. An army Veteran, singer-songwriter, performer and music teacher, Mannion created Strumming for Wellness, a therapeutic ukulele program […]
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Women Veterans lend Habitat for Humanity a hand

Chicago Veterans recently teamed up with Habitat for Humanity for a day of service, building a home for a fellow Veteran through Habitat’s Veterans Build program. The initiative empowers Veterans through homeownership, repairs and camaraderie-building events. A team of dedicated women Veterans worked hand-in-hand with the new owners, fostering a sense of pride and ownership in their new homes and […]
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Making the transition to community life

The shift from military to civilian life is a profound challenge, and each Veteran’s journey is unique. For some, it’s the loss of camaraderie; for others, it’s the loss of a career or sense of purpose. These difficulties can lead to isolation, which may drive Veterans toward unhealthy coping mechanisms, including substance abuse. Recognizing this, Armando Vega, a U.S. Army […]
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Navy launches new warship named after Basilone

The U.S. Navy recently launched a new warship named after WWII hero John Basilone, taskandpurpose.com reported. As a Flight IIA variant of Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, the ship is designed to carry out several missions, including anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. The ship is named for Marine Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone, one of the Marine Corps’ most legendary warriors. Serving in […]
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Spread the word about discounts in Cook County!

The Cook County Clerk’s Office is seeking help in promoting participation in the county’s Military & Veterans Discount Card Program, an initiative that provides Veterans and military members with exclusive discounts at local businesses. By promoting this program, supporters can ensure that more Veterans benefit from the discounts available while encouraging more businesses to participate. To register your business, click […]
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