McHenry County Blog

16th Congressional District Democratic Party candidate Robert Abboud has held a press conference in Rockford seeking the votes of veterans. Here is his press release.

ABBOUD ANNOUNCES PLAN TO INCREASE VETERANS’ ACCESS TO SERVICES, IMPROVE CARE
After 16 Years of Neglect from Manzullo, Abboud Seeks to Repair Sacred Trust of Caring for America’s Veterans

ROCKFORD – Democratic challenger Bob Abboud released his plan to increase access to, and improve the care of America’s veterans Wednesday, after touring a privately funded adult day care center that caters to veterans in Rockford.

Before a small crowd of veterans and local residents, Abboud outlined the need for a significant investment in America’s veterans.

“When private citizens are doing the work our government should be doing it is both an extraordinary and sad thing,” Abboud said. “What I have witnessed today is the incredible commitment of one family to helping care for Rockford and America’s heroes. But it is also a great tragedy to know that our government, and Don Manzullo, have chosen to leave our Veterans’ behind, cutting their access to quality health care and refusing to recognize the immediate need for increased attention to the effects of post traumatic stress disorder and the treatment of that disorder.”

Abboud hammered his opponent, incumbent Don Manzullo, for ‘forgetting who we owe our freedom to’. Manzullo, according to information compiled by Project Vote Smart, has been given a zero percent rating by the Disabled Veterans of America from 2003 to 2006. In addition, in 2006 the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of American only gave Don Manzullo a grade of ‘C’.

“It’s time that we repair the sacred trust we have with our veterans,” Abboud said. “We can no longer let politicians like Don Manzullo neglect and avoid our duty to care for our veterans. The plan I have laid out today is just a start, but it is a good beginning. If we do anything, we must protect, care for and give every opportunity to our returning men and women in uniform. It is our responsibility as a nation to fight for their care and well being as hard as they have fought for our freedom and security.

Abboud said that every detail for the Abboud Veterans’ Platform would be available on his website at www.robertabboud.com. Abboud pieced his plan together after meeting with a large group of local veterans and individuals currently working for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Illinois. Abboud said the four cornerstones of his proposal should be a foundation for a renewed vigor in the pursuit of better care for veterans in the United States.

The plan included a call for the transition of veterans funding from discretionary funding to mandatory funding. Abboud stated that the cost of war is as much ‘bombs and bullets, as it is the care of our returning soldiers’. Second, he proposed the creation of a comprehensive online database where veterans of all ages could enter their zip code and receive information on all the public and private services available to them within their community. Abboud also called for a significant investment in the availability and quality of mental health care for veterans, to address the devastating effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. Finally, Abboud said we must continue our commitment to increasing funding for, and access to higher education for every military service member.

“After hearing the concerns of local veterans it is clear we need to improve not only their access to care, but its quality as well. If veterans don’t know what care is available to them how can they utilize it. The programs I have proposed today will help stem the tide of military suicides, which are at an all time high, and help our veterans build a better life for themselves when they return home,” Abboud said.

= = = = =
The photo of 16th District Democratic Party congressional candidate Robert Abboud was taken at the February meeting of the McHenry County Democratic Central Committee in Woodstock.

Labels: 16th Congressional District, Don Manzullo, Robert Abboud, Veterans

This may be the last time the Veterans Stand Down sponsored by Crystal Lake's NASA Education may occur at Camp Algonquin.

It's not because yesterday's event, the fourth at Camp Algonquin, was a failure.

Just the opposite.

The over 200 veterans, many homeless, filled the camp on the Fox River.

John Blanchard, head of the sponsoring organization, which specializes in finding good paying jobs for veterans, told me that the number of men and women attending the event is doubling each time.

This is the fourth Stand Down.

McHenry County Blog has written stories about each of them:

10-4-6 Veterans Stand Down Attracts 26 Homeless Veterans

3-7-7 Veterans' Stand Down Notes

10-7-7 Camp Algonquin Stand Down for Veterans to take place October 8 and 9

10-13-7 Manzullo at Camp Algonquin Stand Down

Headlining the event Monday was State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, a Democrat from Aurora and veteran herself.

In her sixth term, she can be seen above talking to my former legislative assistant Pete Castillo before she addressed the veterans. Pete is the area unemployed veterans' counselor of choice.

The attendees were in various stages of eating a scrumptious lunch provided for free by Pontarelli's Pizza at the corner of Route 176 and Oak Street (815-477-4040) in Crystal Lake and by Kyoto Japanese Restaurant on Route 14 in Crystal Lake, next to the Old Country Buffet.

Blanchard said that Kyoto chef Shawn Lee, a Chicago resident, got up at 5 A.M. to make his bounteous luncheon fair, which I can attest from three helpings was excellent. Mrs. Chris Lee said it was a several day effort. (Less than half of the Lee's contribution can be seen to the left.)


The Lee's so generous contribution embodied the attitude of the volunteers that helped put on the event.

And coffee came from the Downtown Crystal Lake Starbucks.

But, back to State Rep. Chapa LaVia.

She surely knows how to talk to veterans.

After telling of her support for veterans benefits, she concluded with this strong line:

“...until I have no breath left to scream, I'll be saying that.”

I was taking pictures, as usual, and didn't get a chance to write down other parts of her talk.

Chapa LaVia received a rousing reception.

Earlier she had told Castillo and me that she was pushing federal congressmen to separate benefits veterans have earned from the Defense Department budget. This former Executive Office of the President budget guy agreed.

Castillo, Rep. Chapa LaVia and her husband met at the Million Veteran March, at which Castillo and she spoke and which he was one of the veterans leading the others up the mall to the United States Capitol.

When Blanchard was introducing Rep. LaVia, he said,


After lunch, I finally got a picture of the hair stylists.

Previously, I had just found empty chairs.

From left to right, you can see

• Marie Borre of Sports Clips Salon in McHenry,


• Kristina Weingartner of Blades Salon on Randall Road in Algonquin,


• Krissy Dougherty, also of Blades, and


• Nicole Borress, a third stylist from Blades.

I also found Lockport Healing Touch practitioner Karen Johnson.

I pointed out to Johnson that you can't get from here to Lockport. She admitted that it was a two hour drive. In two hours I can be more than half way to Springfield.

Guess whose head her hands were on?

McHenry County Board member Mary Donner.

She keeps telling me that I can never take a good picture of her. This one with John Blanchard received her approval.

Shortly before three Castillo and I were standing in front of the Camp Algonquin Lodge and what should occur but a traffic jam.

A veteran was coming down the hill in a powerful motorized wheel chair with a Jesse Brown bus behind him.

There were vehicles everywhere.

And, was it foggy.

But, I guess fog is better than the earlier downpour.

Labels: Camp Algonquin, John Blanchard, Linda Chapa LaVia, NASA Education, Pete Castillo, Stand Down, Veterans, Vets

Tonight is the night for those who want to volunteer for NASA Education's spring Veterans Stand Down.

If you would like to help, the details of the meeting and what you could do follow:

Volunteer Orientation Meeting Tuesday, March 25th,
for Stand Down for Veterans

National Association of Systems Administrators Education Corporation (NASA Education) will host an orientation meeting for volunteers and service providers for the Stand Down for Veterans at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 25th, at its headquarters, 3305 South IL Rte. 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60012. The number to call for information is 866-338-4968 (866-EDU-4YOU).

At the orientation meeting, tasks will be explained and time slots assigned. Volunteers are needed

• to help set up the site on the afternoon of Sunday, March 30th;
• work the Stand Down itself on March 31st and April 1st, and
• clean up the site on the afternoon of April 1st.

The Stand Down for Veterans will take place from 9:00 a.m. on March 31st to 3:00 p.m. April 1st at YMCA Camp Algonquin, 1889 Cary Road, Algonquin, IL 60102.

Veterans who are newly discharged, displaced, homeless, unemployed or otherwise in transition will receive

a variety of services including medical screenings, employment services, referrals for housing assistance and food vouchers, information about benefits to which they may be entitled, assistance applying for VA medical benefits, information about community programs for homeless and low-income individuals, referrals for dental and eye care, overnight shelter March 31st, all meals during the event, free haircuts, chair massages, and the distribution of clothes, coats, new underwear, and toiletry items.

NASA Education will accept applications for Project Fresh Start, its vocational rehabilitation and community reintegration program for U.S. veterans who are displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition.

The organization will also accept applications for its recently purchased transitional housing facility.

NASA Education is a Crystal Lake-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive vocational rehabilitation and community reintegration services for U.S. veterans who are displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition.

Donations are needed for the Stand Down in the form of cash, new and like-new clothes for men and women, baked goods or other desserts, toiletries, fast food gift certificates in small denominations,

Please phone NASA Education at 866-338-4968 toll-free for more information about the Stand Down, transportation pick-up points, volunteering and making donations. Or you may send an email to Amy Johnson at Amy_Johnson@nasaeducation.org. The NASA Education website is www.nasaeducation.org.

Labels: Camp Algonquin, John Blanchard, NASA Education, Stand Down, Veterans

NASA Education has released the following information on what happened at October's Veterans' Stand Down:

Stand Down for Veterans Report

Executive Director John Blanchard of National Association of Systems Administrators Education Corporation (NASA Education), a Crystal Lake-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, sponsors of the Stand Down for Veterans held October 8 and 9 at YMCA Camp Algonquin, has released the preliminary results for the event, which provided 110 veterans with services ranging from housing and employment services to haircuts and massages and featured welcome speeches by Congressman Donald Manzullo and Congresswoman Melissa Bean.

“The Stand Down is more than a two-day, feel-good event for the veterans,” said Blanchard. “Certainly, one of the purposes is to express our gratitude and support for veterans in need and show them a good time, but, more than that, the intent is to help the homeless veterans secure housing, the unemployed veterans receive training and work, and generally remove the barriers that keep our nation’s heroes from enjoying the benefits of American life they gave so much to secure for all of us.

“People think each Stand Down is history once the speeches are over, the kitchen is cleaned up, the clothes are given away and the shuttle buses pull out of the camp parking lots, but for us the work is just beginning,” he said. “Now we follow up with the veterans to help them change their lives. We’ve already scheduled the next Stand Down for March 31 and April 1.”

As of November 1,

• 12 formerly homeless veterans received permanent housing,
• 2 received competitive wage employment,
• 36 received employment services,
• 19 were registered with the Illinois Skills Match,
• 7 were accepted into NASA Education’s workforce and community reintegration program, Project Fresh Start, and
• 11 received legal counseling or services.

The following applications were made:

• 5 for VA disability benefits,
• 1 for VA pension,
• 10 for DD214 separation papers,
• 3 for upgrades to military discharge,
• 2 hunting/fishing licenses, and
• 14 registrations into VA Medical Care system.
• Fifteen veterans consulted with the North Chicago VA Medical Center nurse at Stand Down, and
• 3 were identified as appropriate candidates for the North Chicago VA Domiciliary Program.
• 2 were given information on how to appeal VA claims was given to 2 veterans,
• 3 veterans were given assistance in following up on cases
• Five veterans received referrals for financial assistance through the McHenry County and Kane County Veterans Assistance Commissions. Three OIF/OEF veterans received counseling on VA benefits available to them.
• One veteran applied to replace a lost GED certificate.

Fifty veterans were given information about community social service agencies, 28 homeless, unemployed or very low-income veterans applied for dental services and 37 applied for referrals for eye exams and glasses.

From SportClips Haircuts and Krissy Dougherty Chazio’s Salon gave 60 free haircuts, volunteer massage therapist Sheryl Roberts of Changing Lifestyles/ You Need to be Kneaded gave 50 massages and Lesley Delihant of Trinity Therapeutics gave 9 massages. Healing Touch practitioner Peggy Dickson gave 9 sessions.

Clothes, coats, new underwear, toiletries and other items were distributed to the veterans.

Twenty-three male and two female veterans stayed overnight in the camp residence halls, and meals and snacks were provided over the two days.

Financial support for the Stand Down for Veterans was provided by grants from the Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS)/ Department of Labor and the HelpAmerica Foundation in addition to donations of cash, goods and services from individuals, organizations and businesses throughout the community.

NASA Education is a Crystal Lake-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with three major projects: Project Fresh Start, a workforce and community reintegration program for U.S. veterans who are displaced, disabled, homeless, unemployed or otherwise in transition; the Stand Down for Veterans, which takes place in March and October of each year; and the newly acquired apartment buildings in Crystal Lake, which eventually will provide housing for 32 homeless veterans while they participate in Project Fresh Start.

For information about NASA Education and its programs, please phone 866-338-4968,

visit the website at www.nasaeducation.org 0r
send an email to kathy_chwedyk@nasaeducation.org.

NASA Education welcomes donations of cash, vehicles, appliances, household goods such as furniture, dishes and kitchen equipment, nonperishable food, and new or gently used clothing for the veterans.

Labels: Camp Algonquin, NASA Education, Stand Down, Veterans

Today, we see a Purple Heart license plate.

Owned by a veteran who was wounded in action.

And, what a coincidence.

He bought his Cadillac at “Legends.”

Labels: Driver's License, Message of the Day, Purple Heart, Veterans

16th district United States Representative Don Manzullo spoke to veterans at the Camp Algonquin Veterans Stand Down sponsored by John Blanchard's NASA Education last Monday.

“During his speech, the Congressman thanked the veterans for their service and their brave efforts to protect our families and our freedoms in the United States,” according to press secretary Rich Carter.

“He then told the story of working with the widow and young son of a Gulf War veteran from Freeport who died from Gulf War Syndrome at Age 36. The family helped the Congressman pass legislation that recognized Gulf War Syndrome as a service-connected illness.

“As a result, he was named Legislator of the Year from the National Vietnam and Gulf War Veterans Coalition.”

Labels: Camp Algonquin, Don Manzullo, John Blanchard, NASA Education, Stand Down, Veterans

Yesterday, McHenry County Blog ran a photograph of batteries left on the Paul Iverson property on McHenry Blacktop (or Crystal Lake Blacktop, if you are from McHenry).

The picture was taken after the McHenry County government-hired Omega Demolition presumably completed its clean up. Its winning bid was for $22,000.

You can’t see much of the property from Walkup Avenue, but if you look on the western side of the road between the entrance to Covered Bridge Trails and Prairie Ridge High School, you will see an old mailbox and a dirt road.

There’s a fair amount of property behind the mail box between the road and the subdivision.

And, there was enough stuff to draw the interest of veterans’ advocate John Blanchard of NASA (National Association of Systems Administrators). NASA is located on the northern top of the Terra Cotta hill on Route 31, just to help you identify this player. Four corporate entities he has created submitted bids for the clean up—including one for $1--but none were deemed acceptable.

Instead the lowest bidding “professional” clean up company—Omega—got the job.

Blanchard had spotted a couple of usable truck trailers among the junk and he planned to use them in a trucking company where veterans would be the drivers. The company Vet-Tek now delivers dry goods in the Chicago-Miami-Houston triangle. Chicago is defined broadly. Milwaukee, for instance, is included.

Other “goodies” were also spotted.

But some “not-so-goodies” remain.

These look like a boat and a black car.

Kind of hard to miss, wouldn't you say?

You can get a better look by clicking on the picture.

Labels: Covered Bridge Trails, Dump, Friends of McHenry County, NASA Education, Omega Demolition, Paul Iverson, Veterans

Between McHenry Avenue and Van Buren Street are three apartment buildings on Pierson Street.

Pierson is the street parallel to Route 14 behind Tommy’s Red Hots and Ron’s Service Center.

I know the apartment building on the corner of Virginia and Pierson. My wife and I almost rented it from Baxter and Woodman engineer Hal Sundin in 1972. We were ready to sign the lease whenl he said he had the same building on Elmhurst, but that it never had been lived in.

Our second floor unit had two bedrooms, a living room, a smallish kitchen and a bathroom.

Now two of the two end buildings will soon be housing Veterans as part of a NASA (National Association of Systems Administrators) Education effort to get Veterans back into the work force.

NASA President John Blanchard told me at the Camp Algonquin Stand Down his organization sponsored that he was closing on the Virginia Street building at noon on Wednesday.

Once he does, he estimates that there will be transitional living quarters for 32 Vets.

He also hopes to purchase the middle apartment building.

Currently, the only transitional living quarters for Veterans are located in Hebron on Route 47, near the Wisconsin state line.

Needless to say, being able to live in Crystal Lake--with its PACE bus service to jobs and McHenry County College--increases the chances of Veterans becoming independent.

Labels: John Blanchard, NASA Educational Foundation, Veterans

If you are non-military, as I am, you may not know what a "stand down" is. It's a time when soldiers get away from the battle field for a bit of rest and relaxation.

Since the Vietnam War, a civilian counterpart has evolved into a place where discharged military veterans can come to relax and get help.

I've met veterans from the Iraq War and from others as far back as World War II.

The third stand down sponsored by NASA (National Association of Systems Administrators, not the space agency) Educational Foundation will be held at Camp Algonquin the second Monday and Tuesday of October. The camp is located on the Fox River east of Route 31 on the Algonquin-Cary blacktop. It is owned by the McHenry County Conservation District and operated by the YMCA. Several cabins were converted to year-round use for Hurricane Katrina evacuees and it was used as a drop-off spot for clothes, etc.

I attended the stand down a year ago and the one last spring. The articles to which I have linked will give you an idea what goes on.

You will see people sorting clothing. There are enough good duds to dress anyone for any season.

Meals are served to the veterans--a number of whom are homeless. The guys and gals get a night of relaxation in front of a big screen television. Hair cuts, massages,any kind of service that people are willing to volunteer.

There are agencies from all levels of government.

If you would like to help out, the details are in the press release below:

Volunteer Orientation Meeting Oct. 3 for Stand Down for Veterans

National Association of Systems Administrators Education Corporation (NASA Education) will host an orientation meeting for volunteers and service providers for the Stand Down for Veterans at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 3, at its headquarters, 3305 South IL Rte. 31, Crystal Lake, IL 60012. The number to call for information is 866-338-4968 (866-EDU-4YOU).

At the orientation meeting, tasks will be explained and time slots assigned. Volunteers are needed to help set up the site on the afternoon of Sunday, October 7; work the Stand Down itself on October 8 and 9, and clean up the site on the afternoon of October 9.

The Stand Down for Veterans will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on October 8 and from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. October 9 at YMCA Camp Algonquin, 1889 Cary Road, Algonquin, IL 60102. Veterans who are newly discharged, displaced, homeless, unemployed or otherwise in transition will receive a variety of services including medical screenings, employment services, referrals for housing assistance and food vouchers, information about benefits to which they may be entitled, assistance applying for VA medical benefits, information about community programs for homeless and low-income individuals, referrals for dental and eye care, overnight shelter October 8, all meals during the event, free haircuts, chair massages, and the distribution of clothes, coats, new underwear, and toiletry items.

NASA Education will accept applications for Project Fresh Start, its vocational rehabilitation and community reintegration program for U.S. veterans who are displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition. The organization will also accept applications for its recently purchased transitional housing facility. NASA Education is a Crystal Lake-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive vocational rehabilitation and community reintegration services for U.S. veterans who are displaced, disabled, homeless or otherwise in transition.

Donations are needed for the Stand Down in the form of cash, new and like-new clothes for men and women, baked goods or other desserts, toiletries, fast food gift certificates in small denominations.

Please phone NASA Education at 866-338-4968 toll-free for more information about the Stand Down, transportation pick-up points, volunteering and making donations. Or you may send an email to Kathy Chwedyk at kathy_chwedyk@nasaeducation.org. The NASA Education website is www.nasaeducation.org.
= = = = =

John Blanchard, head of NASA Education, is seen talking to a volunteer in the huge clothes room in the bottom photo.

Labels: Camp Algonquin, John Blanchard, NASA Educational Foundation, Stand Down, Veterans

At the Old Capitol Art Fair in Springfield the third weekend in May, some people where wearing poppies like this.

This one fell from the clothing to which it was attached.

Veterans use them as a fund raising device.

I can’t read which one produced this one.

It comes from the poppies that grew on Flanders Field where World War I veterans are buried.

Labels: Flanders Field, Memorial Day, Poppy, Veterans

Earlier on McHenry County Blog, I wrote about a petition campaign being conducted by Crystal Lake’s John Blanchard to urge state officials to put the word “VET” on the driver’s licenses of veterans.

Blanchard already has over 100,000 signatures on the petition, the wording of which you can see here.

Wednesday I learned that last week Secretary of State Jesse White talked to Department of Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth about the idea.

White’s Public Information Officer, David Drucker, told me,

Jesse met last week with Tammy Duckworth last week and they discussed the idea of doing that.

They do tell me that we would need to get the approval of the General Assembly.

Duckworth's press person, Jessica Woodward, confirmed the meeting:

The Secretary of State thought it was a good idea.

It was just a first meeting. It’s a possibility that that will happen.

She added, "The director did talk to John Blanchard at the Stand Down."

Duckworth was the featured speaker at the early March Stand Down sponsored by Blanchard’s National Association of Systems Administrators Educational Foundation, which hires and trains homeless veterans for good paying jobs. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it to Camp Algonquin for her talk, but did attend the second day. Blanchard also put together an earlier October Stand Down.

So, which member of the General Assembly wants to get legislation passed that would allow the Secretary of State to follow Georgia’s example?

If you look closely on the image, which is a copy of a copy of a Georgia veteran’s driver’s license with the man's identifying information removed, you can see the word “VET” in the bottom center.

Drucker reminded me that Jesse himself is a veteran himself, having served as a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division.

Drucker even knew how many veterans there are in Illinois:

We have 1.2 million vets in Illinois.

= = = = =

State Senator Pam Althoff and State Representative Mike Tryon can be seen at last October's Stand Down talking to John Borchard.

Labels: Driver's License, Jesse White, John Blanchard, Tammy Duckworth, Veterans, Vets

Not only is Crystal Lake’s John Blanchard the driving force behind last October’sand this March’s homeless veteran Stand Downs that have been held at Camp Algonquin, but he is also heading up a petition campaign to convince the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office to include the designation “VET” on drivers’ licenses.

The purpose of putting the word “VET” right next to the photo is explained on top of the petition.

Its summary and explanation says,

Identify veterans on Illinois’ Driver’s license

(1) to honor all Illinois veterans with a valid dd-214 who was discharged with other than dishonorable discharge no matter when or how long they served;

(2) to further facilitate the dissemination of veteran benefits by federal, state and county veteran organizations;

(3) so that demographic information may be retained for the purpose of funding, granting and potentially increasing veteran benefits.

Although it will be up to each veteran to present his discharge papers, once entered onto the system, service providers will have a data base which most certainly does not exist now.

So far, over 100,000 signatures have been collected.

Blanchard runs the National Association of Systems Administrators, headquartered in Crystal Lake. It keeps computer hardware running at locations across the country.

Besides the Stand Downs and the petition drive, Blanchard also assisted with and spoke at the Million Veterans’ March on Washington a year ago April.

If you look really hard at the Georgia driver's license above, you can see the word "VET" in the lower center. The identifying information has been removed.

Labels: John Blanchard, NASA Educational Foundation, Veterans

John Blanchard’s National Association of Systems Administrators Educational Foundation put on its second Stand Down for homeless veterans Monday and Tuesday.

The first was last October. With two months of reaching out beyond the two-day event, 36 vets were involved.

Six gained full-time employment, four got housing and two became Veterans Administration hospital inpatients immediately after the October event.

This time Blanchard believes his group will be able to reach 40—the 32 who went to Camp Algonquin, plus at least 8 more in additional outreach work through mid-May.

At the pizza party at Nick’s last night, he reported on national radio that 15 service providers had been available, that 13 PACE bus passes had been handed out, that one veteran had already been offered a job and that 12 dental appointments had been made.

(More dentists are needed to volunteer their services. The Veterans Administration apparently does not provide such medical services.)

Each time this session of rest and relaxation is held, NASA (really, that’s the organization’s initials) learns ways to make it more successful next time.

This time, for example, it was learned from 8 homeless veterans that they could not stay over Monday night without losing their slots at McHenry County PADS.

Perhaps the resulting inability to spend a night with their buddies relaxing in a large rec room, complete with large screen television and more treats than could be eaten can be avoided next time.

The highlight of the event was the appearance of Illinois Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth. You can read what others wrote about that Monday appearance here. I couldn’t be there with the luminaries because my son’s school let out at noon.

I don’t remember seeing a Korean War veteran last October, but one was there with his walker Tuesday.

I wanted to take a picture of a vet getting his hair cut, but the two stylists were there Monday, not Tuesday. My luck.

But, if you look at the front page of the Daily Herald Tuesday, you can find the photograph that I wished I had been able to take.

Before I figured out there would be no barbering, I had a good chat with a lady from Fox River Grover. When I asked her why she had volunteered, she told me,

Nobody should be homeless, especially veterans.

Indeed, there appeared to be more volunteers than veterans.

Having worked with volunteers during my political career, I know they have to feel needed for them to return.

I personally want the volunteer who made the pineapple upside down cake to know wwhe was appreciated!

Last night Mike Iwanicki told me that a woman named Debbie and he were talking about pineapple upside down cake at the October Stand Down and he told her she have to bring one next time around. He didn't see her, but someone brought a pineapple upside down cake into the building with his name on it. I was told she sent a total of three over the two day period.

So, thanks, unseen volunteer Debbie!

It was the closest to what my mother used to make that I can remember.

The problem is obviously getting veterans to make the first step to come to a Stand Down.

They have to come to Camp Algonquin to be served.

They have to get on a bus.

My former legislative assistant Pete Castillo, who is the Disabled Veterans Outreach Placement Specialist for McHenry County, told me of two homeless female veterans he expected who did not come.

Perhaps next time.

There was a big room full of clothes, including a new pair of cowboy boots.

I saw from veteran pick out a scarf, certainly an appropriate choice for a day as cold as this March 5th was.

When I left the room, the volunteers were packing up enough clothing to run a First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake rummage sale.

Except most of the clothing was for men.

Blanchard’s assistants were talking about having a garage sale to raise money for future efforts.

They will need a big location.

That is for sure.

An innovation this year was the distribution of PACE bus passes.

PACE provides, at best, spotty service in McHenry County. (Don’t get me started on the 1974 RTA Citizens Committee for Better Transportation promise of “Public Transportation, When and Where You Need It, Throughout the Region.”)

But not having to pay for ten rides is better than having to pay, if you don’t have money.

Duckworth said she thought she could help pay for such tickets from lottery proceeds dedicated to veterans services.

What a blessing.

One of the service providers really played a salesman’s role. McHenry Scott Ottesen tries to let veterans know where they can obtain medical care.

Locally, that is in McHenry across Route 31 from Centegra Hospital at the Central Medical Arts Complex (620 S. Rt. 31, Suite 4). The phone number is 815-759-2306. It’s open from 8:30 to noon and 1 to 4:30 Monday through Friday.

A new idea that NASA came up with this year is a checklist which veterans filled out after they talked to service providers and turned in. NASA intends to use the information provided to make sure that promised services are delivered to the homeless veterans.

Any of the images may be enlarged by clicking on them.

= = = = =
In the clothing room NASA Education's President John Blanchard talks with one of the volunteers in the top photograph.

Below left is Blanchard conversing with IDES Disabled Veterans Outreach Placement Specialist Pete Castillo. Castillo found jobs for 36 veterans last year.

Next is a picture of the recreation rooom. Below is the dining room on Tuesday at lunch.

Seen next is the yummy pineapple upside down cake and the Camp Algonquin sign with snow all around.

Then, another shot of the clothing room with many half of the volunteers pictured.

Below that is a head shot of Scott Ottesen, the GWOT Outreach Worker.

Finally, in the bottom right is the check list that every homeless veteran turned into NASA Education so follow-up can make sure they got what they were promised.

In the photo identification section is a picture of NASA Education's booth at the Stand Down, where a veteran is being interviewed by Eric Behler.

More McHenry County Blog here.

Labels: Camp Algonquin, NASA Educational Foundation, Pete Castillo, Pineapple upside down cake, Stand Down, Veterans, Vets. John Blanchard

Last fall I reported on a "Stand Down." At the time I had no idea what it was.

It's basically a safe place that members of the Armed Services go between more active service.

The same organization that sponsored the Stand Down last October--the National Association of System Administrators Educational Corporation--is putting it on again, with the cooperation of the YMCA Camp Algonquin. At the bottom of the press release is a list of those who will be available to help homeless veterans.

Here is the press release that NASA Education sent McHenry County Blog:

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL – The Stand Down for Homeless Veterans will take place on March 5 and 6, 2007, at YMCA Camp Algonquin, 1889 Cary Road, Algonquin. The sponsoring organization is the National Association of System Administrators Education Corporation (NASA Education), a Crystal Lake-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides vocational training for displaced, disabled and other U.S. veterans in transition.

L. Tammy Duckworth, Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, will attend the Stand Down on the afternoon of March 5 to address the homeless veterans. Director Duckworth, who holds the rank of Major in the Illinois Army Guard and was shot down in 2004 while co-piloting a Black Hawk helicopter north of Bagdad, was appointed by Governor Rod Blagojevich to the post effective Dec. 15, 2006.

“NASA Education is delighted that Director Duckworth has chosen to support the Stand Down for Homeless Veterans in this way,” said John Blanchard, NASA Education’s executive director. “Her appearance will give hope and inspiration to the homeless vets and send a clear message to them that they have not been forgotten by the Department of Veteran Affairs. Like many of them, she has been disabled in the performance of her duty to her country, and she has come back from that to embrace an important leadership position and help others who have served their country.”

Director Duckworth lost both legs and her right arm was shattered in the explosion of her helicopter over Bagdad, but she kept busy during her recovery despite her injuries and rigorous rehabilitation schedule. She spoke to veterans’ groups, attended the 2005 State of the Union Address and testified twice before Congress urging that more needs to be done to ensure soldiers continue to receive the same high level of medical care as they move from military to veteran status.

Illinois Senator Pamela Althoff (R-32nd District) also is scheduled to attend the Stand Down at 1 p.m. on Monday.

The first NASA Education-sponsored Stand Down was held October 2 and 3, 2006, at the YMCA Camp Algonquin location and provided services to 36 vets. At least six vets found permanent housing as a result of these services and four obtained competitive wage employment. Two vets were admitted to North Chicago VA Medical Center for treatment and the homeless program.

The Stand Down comes from a venerable military tradition. In times of war, exhausted combat units requiring time to rest and recover were removed from the battlefields to a place of relative security and safety. Troops were able to take showers, get clean uniforms, enjoy warm meals, receive medical and dental care, mail and receive letters, and enjoy the camaraderie of friends in a safe environment.

Today, Stand Down refers to a grassroots, community-based intervention program designed to help the nation’s estimated 200,000 homeless veterans “combat” life on the streets. Homeless veterans are brought together in a single location and are provided access to the community resources needed to begin addressing their individual problems and rebuilding their lives. In the military tradition, Stand Down afforded battle-weary soldiers the opportunity to renew their spirit, health and overall sense of well-being. Today’s Stand Down affords the same opportunity to homeless veterans.

From 50 to 100 homeless veterans are expected to attend the two-day event in McHenry County and receive services such as medical screenings, meals, showers, overnight shelter, free haircuts, and the distribution of clothing, underwear and toiletry items.

Needed for the Stand Down in addition to cash donations are volunteers to provide transportation for the vets, security, set-up the day before, a variety of tasks such as serving food, escorting vets to the various stations for services and working with clothing, and cleanup after the event. Also needed is new or clean and gently used warm weather clothing, shoes in good condition, and new or clean and gently used underwear in men’s and women’s sizes.

Service providers who have confirmed their participation to date include: Michael Iwanicki, Superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission of McHenry County; John Carr, Superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Kane County; Susan Giannone, Constituent Services Advocate, Congresswoman Melissa Bean’s Office; North Chicago VA Medical Center; Jeff Antonelli of the Law Offices of Gene Hanson Ltd.; Richard Lesniewicz, Veteran Service Officer, Illinois American Legion; Ted Biever, Veteran Service Officer, McHenry County, Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs; Lisa Biever, Veteran Service Officer, Kane County, Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs; New Horizons Transitional Living Services of Hebron; volunteer stylists Wendy Webber of SportClips Haircuts in McHenry, Tracy Fafinski of SportClips Haircuts in Rolling Meadows, and Krissy Olszewski of Chazio’s Salon in Algonquin; Sheryl Roberts, massage therapist, Changing Lifestyles; Lesley Delihant, massage therapist, Wolschlager Chiropractic in Crystal Lake; the Soul Mate Singers, Phyllis Taylor-Smith and Gail Pike of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs; Lions of Illinois Foundation (hearing screenings); Jennifer Gelman, attorney, and Janet Douglass, paralegal, of Prairie State Legal Services; Scott Ottesen, Outreach Specialist for Northern Illinois, The Vet Center, Evanston; Pat O’Dea-Evans, nurse and VA Aid and Attendance Specialist, Paxem, Inc.; Pete Castillo, Disabled Veterans Outreach Placement (DVOP) Specialist, Woodstock; Ray Infante, DVOP Specialist, Grayslake; Phil Bartmann, president of Radicom, Inc., and Jennifer Prell, president of Silver Connections, Inc. will provide professional services. Sister Minnie Lawrence of Ba’ruch Prayer Center will be available to pray with the veterans. The office of State Senator Pamela Althoff and the office of Representative Michael Tryon will also participate.

For more information, please contact Kathy Chwedyk, Development Director, NASA Education, by phoning 866-338-4968 (866-EDU-4YOU) or sending an email to kathy_chwedyk@nasaeducation.org.

= = = = =

Top right is the sign that was on the bus driven by Joe Lewis (seen near the bottom on the left) last summer.

Next you can see NASA Education President John Blanchard talking with State Senator Pam Althoff and State Representative Mike Tryon. Below Althoff and former Algonquin American Legion President Gary Jensen converse as Althoff changes name tags. A veteran gets indivicual private attention from Pete Castillo, the McHenry County Disabled Veterans Outreach Placement (DVOP) Specialist. First head shot is of Mike Iwanicki, Superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission of McHenry County. the second is of Pete Castillo. All photos were taken at last October's Stand Down.

Labels: Camp Algonquin, Homeless, National Association of Systems Administrators, Pam Althoff, Stand Down, Tammy Duckworth, Veterans, Vets

I had not a clue what a “Stand Down” was, but National Association of Systems Administrators Education Foundation head John Blanchard and probably every other veteran in the country does.

A Navy veteran, Blanchard told me a Stand Down

typically was a safe place for combat or touring military to go to get

· their uniforms mended, replaced or cleaned,
· medical attention,
· their mail,
· warm meals and
· safe sleep.

With a U.S. Department of Labor grant of $8,000, NASA Education Foundation provided all of that Monday and Tuesday at Camp Algonquin. It was helped by numerous volunteers, including Gary Jensen, seen here with State Senator Pam Althoff.

While the event did not reach the expected 50-70 men--and could have accommodated 100--26 did attend.

“I think that this is only the tip of the problem,” Blanchard observed.

“I know that they are out there and since I’ll be able to provide mini-Stand Downs every other month with two (big ones) yearly,” Blanchard said, “I know that 50-70 will be touched very soon.”

Mike Iwanicki, Superintendent of the Veterans Assistant Commission of McHenry County interjected,

You probably reached 26 guys that weren’t reached before.

And, this is the first year.

“They can report back that it’s not so scary,” his wife Stacy added.

Blanchard told me that he had overheard some of the veterans, who were smoking outside Monday night during the downpour, say that their friends might wish they had come, too. That probably will be the case with many when they discover they missed out on a shower, clean clothes and a private room for the night, not to mention missing Monday night football.

Blanchard intends to hold mini-Stand Downs every other month at his Route 31 office, which is on the top of the hill north of the Terra Cotta factory close to the cellular phone towers. The address is 3305 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake (although Map Quest can’t find it, Blanchard says).

I asked Blanchard why he put the 2-day event together.

He explained there were 3 reasons:

The homeless veterans. I know they’re there. They need the services. They need the help. They need everything this Stand Down could give them.

Richmond’s Dale Rice added,

Services they are entitled to.

Blanchard continued,

The awareness of the community of the presence of homeless veterans.

Pete Castillo, my former legislative assistant who is now the county’s Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program Specialist, added,

"The community has to be prepared to receive them."

The third reason given by Blanchard was

to get all of these service providers who graciously gave their time to be here and mingle and collaborate with each other.

“I learned a lot from the veterans and a lot from service organizations that were here,” he added. “I was very disappointed that TLS (New Horizons Transitional Living Services) did not send somebody out here."

TLS operates the old Hebron motel for homeless veterans.

Blanchard said, “A lot of these veterans had no idea TLS is even here.”

Home of the Sparrow donated enough clothes and there are enough other supplies (toiletries, for example) “that we can do it every other month at our office,” Blanchard said of future Stand Downs.

There was some strange discouragement with regard to efforts to let veterans know of the Stand Down. Driver Joe Lewis of the bus that transports veterans places they need to go told me that notices that had been posted at train stations at Crystal Lake, McHenry and Cary had mysteriously disappeared after posting. Lewis put them back up.

It’s possible that some homeless veterans took them down so they could remember where to go. But it is also possible that someone else took down the Metra-approved postings down.

I am pleased to see that the Northwest Herald finally found the NASA Educational Foundation.

Previous McHenry County Blog articles about Blanchard are

April 24, 2006
Crystal Laker John Blanchard Helps Finance Washington Veterans March 2006

April 25, 2006
Vietnam Veteran Ed Bolf's Recovery from Post Tramatic Stress Disorder and His Re-entry into Society with the Help of NASA, a Crystal Lake Organization

= = = = =
John Blanchard talks with State Senator Pam Althoff and State Rep. Mike Tryon at Camp Algonquin's Stand Down for homeless veterans.

Beneath is State Senator Pam Althoff with volunteer Gary Jensen, a former Commander of the Algonquin American Legion.

The top head shot is of Mike Iwanicki, the Superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission of McHenry County.

Between Iwanicki and the next head shot is the sign found on the McHenry County veterans bus: "Stand Down for Homeless Veterans."

The veterans bus driver is Joe Lewis.

Labels: Camp Algonquin, Homeless, John Blanchard, NASA Educational Foundation, Pete Castillo, Stand Down, Veterans, Vets