Gold Star Weekend in Illinois: Luncheon Honors Service of Gold Star Mothers [Image 7 of 65]

WHEATON, IL, UNITED STATES

09.29.2019

Photo by Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton 

Joint Force Headquarters - Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

Governor JB Pritzker greets McCormick Foundation President and CEO David Hiller and Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Acting Director Linda Chapa LaVia as the Governor arrives at the Gold Star Mothers Luncheon. The McCormick Foundation hosted the event at Col. Robert R. McCormick's estate at Cantigny in Wheaton, Illinois. The estate was named after a village in France where the Battle of Cantigny took place. It was the first major American victory of World War I. Col. McCormick was a member of the Illinois National Guard called up to fight in the "Great War" where he served with the 1st Infantry Division. The Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs Gold Star Mothers Luncheon gives senior civilian and military leaders a chance to thank Gold Star mothers for their service to our nation and its military. Governor JB Pritzker thanked the Gold Star Mothers and said he was humbled to have the opportunity to speak with them. In addition to the sacrifice their sons and daughters gave to their nation, many Gold Star mothers keep their Fallen Heroes memories alive and continue their service to the community and to the military, said Lt. Gen. Thomas S. James, the Commander of First Army and keynote speaker at the luncheon. The luncheon was held at the First Infantry Division Museum at Cantigny in Wheaton, Illinois, on Sunday, Sept. 29.

• Date Taken: 09.29.2019
• Date Posted: 09.30.2019 18:11
• Photo ID: 5796073
• VIRIN: 190929-A-OH563-735
• Resolution: 4298x3216
• Size: 1.69 MB
• Location: WHEATON, IL, US