Political Quotes

“Mr. President, there are few things more American than serving our Nation. It is a special privilege of mine when I am able to honor some of our Nation's women and men in uniform. And it is even more special when I am able to recognize the dedicated service of those who have served in Illinois. After a decorated career, Maj. Gen. Richard R. Neely--the Adjutant General of Illinois, Commander of the Illinois National Guard, and Director of the Illinois Department of Military Affairs--is retiring after nearly 40 years of service to our State and Nation. It is no coincidence that many extraordinary Americans have been from Illinois. General Neely is certainly one of them. While he began his tenure as the Adjutant General for Illinois in 2019, his military career in our State began several decades prior. General Neely hails from the South Side of Chicago. The summer before his senior year of high school, he joined the Army Reserves and later the Air National Guard as an airman. After graduating from Illinois State University, he joined the 183rd Wing in my hometown of Springfield, where General Neely spent more than two decades of his career serving in various positions. General Neely's military career also took him well beyond the Prairie State. Over the course of his service, he was sent on two combat deployments in Iraq in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. His bravery helped safeguard American national security during a critical time in our history.…”