State Sen. Li Arellano Jr., R-Dixon, is inviting veterans and their families from across the 37th District to join him for a special event honoring their service and dedication.

Midwest Veterans Closet will host a Military Family Pumpkin Octoberfest on Oct. 25.

The Dixon American Legion will be serving beef and noodles, vegetable, roll, salad and dessert from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, 2025.

A warm breakfast will be provided for attendees. Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Assistant Director Anthony Vaughn will be the headline speaker.

Patrick McBride will be the guest speaker at the event at Centennial Elementary School.

The basement of the Evangelical Free Church of Mt. Morris was abuzz Thursday morning, Oct. 16, 2025, as volunteers from several area agencies and organizations filled sealable plastic bags with treats, toiletries, and cards and packed them into cardboard boxes to ship to soldiers serving on the USS Fitzgerald.

From Capitol News Illinois: “These ICE agents are not trained soldiers. They’re not trained soldiers,” retired Maj. Gen. William Enyart said. “They don’t show the discipline that soldiers do. They don’t obey the same rules of engagement that soldiers do.”

Chief Judge Daniel B. Shanes announced that Lake County’s 19th Judicial Circuit, various partners of the Lake County legal community, and Lake County will once again participate in the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project.

The assembly will provide an opportunity for students and staff to recognize those who have served in the armed forces.

The staff at the Fort Sheridan National Cemetery announced those who have been laid to rest at the Fort Sheridan National Cemetery.

The Dixon American Legion will be serving chicken fried steak from 5-7 p.m.

PFC Vincent Vega was killed in Korea at the age of 18. He would have been 93 on Friday when Vega was buried at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

Pfc. Vincent Vega was killed in the Korean War 75 years ago. He had been officially missing in action since a battle at Osan in Korea in June 1950 until his remains were finally identified earlier this year. A funeral Mass was held for him in Joliet on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. His burial was held later at Abraham Lincoln Cemetery in Elwood.

The program will highlight Brig. General Russell Volckmann, a World War II hero.

A funeral will be held on Friday in Joliet for a soldier who fought in the Korean War after his remains were positively identified. 

This collaborative event marked a step toward strengthening the network of support for veterans in the Sauk Valley region. The group will meet quarterly.

The American Legion of Dixon will serve roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, roll, vegetable, salad and dessert Friday, Oct. 3, 2025.

Military veterans U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and Illinois State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit addressed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth comments on “warrior ethos.”

Andrew Tangen, president of the IACVAC Board of Directors, said Illinois State Representative Stephanie Kifowit has repeatedly shown to be the top voice in the Illinois General Assembly.

State Sen. Li Arellano Jr., R-Dixon, is inviting families across the district to honor their veterans by submitting photos and stories for the “Honoring All Who Served” Veterans Day Display.

In honor of Veterans Day, the Leaf River Lions Club is having a lunch drive-thru from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 4.

The Manteno Veterans Home's Bike Across America is a challenge between two teams of veterans competing to bike 125 miles, or 875 laps, on the Manteno Home’s campus as an opportunity for physical exercise and fellowship.

The state conference for the NAACP is being held this weekend in Bradley, attracting hundreds to the area.

Libertyville Rotary Sunrise has teamed with Zengeler Cleaners for its annual “Coats for Vets” collection drive.

The McHenry VFW and the McHenry County Historical Society and Museum joined up to host a Victory Dance to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the WWII and revisit the sounds and steps of the era.

Chapel on the Green in Yorkville is looking for speakers for this year’s Annual Veteran’s Day Tribute on Nov. 9.

The Department of Veterans Affairs will realign an additional $800 million this fiscal year as part of the Veterans Health Administration’s Non-Recurring Maintenance program, which makes infrastructure improvements to health care facilities to ensure safe and effective care.

State Sen. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport, is calling on families across the 45th Senate District to help fill the Illinois Capitol Rotunda with the names, faces and stories of military heroes.

The second annual Be the One walk to bring awareness to and end veteran suicide deaths will return to DeKalb on Sept. 21 and the public is invited.

Students across Bishop McNamara Catholic Schools’ three sites helped area first responders, veterans and active-duty service members start the morning with a dose of gratitude during their 10th Gratitude Drive-Thru in recognition of 9/11.

Former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn spoke about an exhibit honoring fallen soldiers at the Will County Courthouse in Joliet and mourned the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Bishop McNamara will be hosting a Gratitude Drive-Thru this Thursday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at all three school sites for first responders, veterans and active-duty service members in recognition of the 24th anniversary of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001.

Veteran groups are collaborating on events that increase awareness of resources available and help ease access, the McHenry County Mental Health Board writes.

McHenry Community High School opened its doors recently for a welcome home celebration for more than 40 local veterans from an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C.

Serving hours are from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12. The cost is $18.

The Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center is seeking submissions for its 2025 Veterans Creative Arts Festival.

Nine area Veterans were honored with Dream Flights on Tuesday, Sept 2, 2025 at the Illinois Valley Regional Airport in Peru. Veterans climbed into a 1942 Boeing Stearman A-75 Primary Trainer and were flown over the Illinois Valley area. Dream Flights has flown close to 8,000 Veterans for the past 15 years. The plane trained pilots in WWII. Many were converted into crop dusters after the war.

Dani Holland interviewed Vital Life Foundation Executive Director Johanna Senn for the Dream Flight event that happened at the Illinois Valley Regional Airport in Peru. There were nine veterans in total who were honored.

A Crystal Lake man who pleaded guilty in federal court to defrauding investors of more than $8 million is requesting for his sentencing to be postponed again due to ongoing health issues, according to court documents.

The relocation of Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84’s official meeting space within the community is more than just a change of address, organizers say. This summer, the venerable Post 84 moved into a multi-tenant commercial development.

After decades of serving the community, a fundraising effort has been launched to save the Plano American Legion Post 395 from closing its doors for good.

Every fall, additional bricks in the Rochelle Veterans War Memorial are engraved in time for Veterans Day. Orders for brick engraving are collected and the engraver is hired to perform the work on a dry day in the fall. 

Andrew Tangen of Lake County was elected in July as the president of the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers at their annual conference held in Louisville.

Alan Hanke of Crystal Lake - due to be sentenced next week in an $8 million Ponzi scheme - is trying to withdraw his guilty plea to defrauding the McHenry American Legion.

The village of Romeoville will host the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall Friday through Sunday. Viewing will be open daily from dawn to dusk, concluding at sunset on Sunday.

Dixon on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, was established as the 41st Purple Heart City in Illinois. The designation from the Military Order of the Purple Heart is given to cities, counties and other entities that show a commitment to honoring and supporting Purple Heart recipients.

The Keep Vets Cool Raffle fundraiser was held Thursday to aid the Fox River Geneva American Legion Post 75 pay about $40,000 for a new HVAC system to replace the current one that's 25 years old.

The village of Romeoville is hosting the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall Friday through Sunday, Aug. 22-24, offering residents and visitors an opportunity to honor veterans of the Vietnam War. Viewing will be open daily from dawn to dusk, concluding at sunset on Sunday.

Federal funding is down, County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant said as she reported on county initiatives and a proposed budget.

Midwest Veterans Closet will host a Back to Schoolr grocery giveaway Aug. 22.