Air Force Focuses on Family Safety this Summer
	SCOTT AFB, June 15, 2010 - He walked past two Airmen operating a dump truck. Minutes later, one Airman accidentally crushed the other to death with the truck's tail gate. Article

Illinois Town Holds Freedom Walk, Festival
WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2006 - The northwestern suburbs of Chicago will hold a Freedom Walk on Sept. 9 to remember the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and to honor the nation's veterans, past and present. Article

Patriotic Pillows Offer Comfort to Wounded Troops
	WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2006 - Passion for sewing and a desire to show support for the military combined to inspire a Chicago woman to launch an effort she calls the “Patriotic Pillow Project.” Article

Group Helps Military Families Make Memories
	WASHINGTON, July 21, 2006 - If a deployed servicemember misses a milestone in a family member's life, it's gone forever, unless someone at home keeps a good record. Article

Group Seeks Government Fix for Vets' Issues
	WASHINGTON, April 4, 2006 - A grassroots group in Chicago hopes to help create a better system of support for wounded troops returning from the global war on terrorism by addressing a few specific concerns. Article

Students Keep Valentine's Day Tradition Alive
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2006 - Beginning in mid-January, 65 students from Chicago International Charter Schools' Bucktown campus each hand-made a greeting as part of the "Valentines for Vets and Soldiers" program headed by the Illinois lieutenant governor's office. Article

Donated Computers Help Families Keep in Touch
NEWPORT NEWS, Virginia, May 20, 2005 - Remember mail call during M*A*S*H? Radar would walk around and hand out little dollops of home to Hawkeye, Trapper John, and Henry Blake. The mail was always old, sometimes months, and the newspapers that often came along were much more "papers" than "news," arriving long after the stories were relevant. Article

States Let Taxpayers Donate Refunds to Military Families
WASHINGTON, March 9, 2005 - Illinois led the charge last year when it began letting taxpayers check a box on their state tax returns to donate their tax refunds to families of deployed guardsmen and reservists. Article

Illinois Upholds Longstanding Valentine's Day Tradition
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2005 - Following some sound advice, 28 third-graders from Central Elementary School in Wilmette, Ill., have cut, colored and pasted "Valentines for Vets and Soldiers." The students' teacher, Linda Garcia, got the ball rolling before Christmas. She contacted Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn's office in search of a project her class could do that would support the nation's men and women in uniform. Article

State, Companies Pool Efforts
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2004 - Proving that all it takes is a little ingenuity and teamwork to get things done, Orbitz, the Illinois lieutenant governor's office, La Salle Banks and Operation Support Our Troops have pooled efforts and resources to support deployed troops. Article

Yellow Ribbons Tie in to Troop Support
	WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2004 - Amy Oxford and her mother, Kathy Williams, are knee-deep in packages to send to troops. The mother/daughter team, from Harrisonburg, Ill., started the "Southern Illinois Yellow Ribbon Campaign" on March 19, 2003. The organization, which is in the process of gaining nonprofit status, serves as a clearinghouse for those who want to send care packages to the troops. Article

Military Wins Popular Vote in Kid's Election
DOWNERS GROVE, Illinois, Nov. 22, 2004 - DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Nov. 22, 2004 - Children from across the country held a special nationwide election and chose the military as most deserving of a caring gesture. And to the victors in the Great Community Cookie Election of 2004 go the spoils: 2,004 chocolate chip cookies! Article

Sears Supports Deployed Troops, Families
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2004 - Sears, Roebuck and Co. is proving to be a friend of military families -- from making up lost pay for its employees called to active duty in the National Guard and reserve, to donating $2 million to the National Military Family Association for military family programs. Article