Photo By Barbara Wilson | Sgt. 1st Class Richard Hollinshead, of Sherman, Illinois, addresses friends and family...... read more read more
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“There are not many positions where you touch the lives of people every day,” Col. Mark Alessia, of Sherman, Illinois, Chief of the Joint Staff, Illinois National Guard (ILNG), told friends and family at Sgt. 1st Class Richard Hollinshead’s retirement ceremony Feb. 26, at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.
Hollinshead, of Sherman, Illinois, has spent much of his 22 years of military service in the Illinois Army National Guard (ILARNG) doing just that – touching the lives of people every day.
Enlisting in 1997 as an Information Services Operator in the 623rd Personnel Services Detachment, based in Springfield, Illinois, Hollinshead began his full-time service with the State Area Command, serving as the Personnel Management Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) in the Military Personnel Office at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois.
The husband, and father of nine, also served as the first Readiness NCO during the establishment of the Recruit Sustainment Program under the ILARNG Recruiting and Retention Command.
“The Recruit Sustainment program gives a new Soldier the first impression of life in the Illinois National Guard,” Alessia said. “It makes a difference to know an NCO cares about them and welcomes them into the military.”
It’s the position he’s held since 2017, Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Casualty Operations Branch (CASOPS), ILNG, where he may have had the greatest impact.
“Casualty operations is not an easy job, but there is no greater honor than making sure we recognize our fallen service members,” Alessia said. “The Illinois National Guard Military Funeral Honors Team performs more than 4,000 funerals each year. You have done an outstanding job. Thousands of people have no idea the work you did behind the scenes.”
Alessia thanked Hollinshead’s family for their sacrifice during his career.
“There are events he missed, but without your support he would not be as successful as he was,” he said.
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Lester Edwards, of Mechanicsburg, Illinois, Chief, CASOPS Branch also addressed the sacrifice the Hollinshead family has made.
“Without the support of family, this job is impossible,” Edwards said. “He was successful because of your love, support and your understanding when events were missed because of the job.”
Hollinshead acknowledged the support from friends and family throughout his career.
“Thank you for the advice, friendship and encouragement throughout the years,” he said. “Thank you for the opportunity to help develop some of the best programs in the state.”
Hollinshead also thanked his wife, Erin, for her support.
“You are my world,” he said. “You have always been there for me. I’m ready to start a new chapter with you.”
| Date Taken: | 02.26.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 03.12.2021 21:54 |
| Story ID: | 391260 |
| Location: | SPRINGFIELD, IL, US |
| Hometown: | SHERMAN, IL, US |
| Web Views: | 132 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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