Photo By Spc. Kristel Cordero | Family members of U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class David Quinn accept flowers of appreciation during his retirement ceremony at the Crestwood Armory in Crestwood, Illinois, Aug. 10, 2026. The gesture acknowledged the sacrifices and vital support provided by the family during Quinn's service. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kristel Cordero, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Illinois Army National Guard) see less
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Quinn Honored for Nearly 3 Decades of Service and ‘Creating a Family’ of Soldiers
The Illinois Army National Guard honored Sgt. 1st Class David Quinn for 28 years of military service during his retirement ceremony Aug. 10, at the Crestwood Armory.
For the last couple decades he has been a recruiter, serving in New Orleans; Gary, Indiana; and Chicagoland. During his recruiting career, he enlisted more than 250 soldiers. As a team leader for the Illinois Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion’s Crestwood-based Foxtrot Company, Recruit Sustainment Program, he influenced the enlistment of over 930 Soldiers.
"It’s not just putting in Soldiers. You’re creating a family," Quinn said. "I changed many people's lives—meeting them from day one, and then seeing them two or three years down the line was amazing. I still have people I put in over 20 years ago reaching out to me."
Quinn enlisted in the U.S. Army on Jan. 8, 1997. After completing basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and advanced individual training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, he became a combat medic. His early career included a deployment to Bosnia and Herzegovina with the Stabilization Force while stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana. At Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., he served as noncommissioned officer in charge of three specialty clinics during key events, including the Sept. 11 attacks, the 2002 D.C. sniper attacks, and the 2003 SARS outbreak. Later, while stationed at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, he earned the Expert Field Medical Badge operating along the Demilitarized Zone.
His spouse, Demetrie Quinn, received the Department of the Army Certificate of Appreciation for her support throughout his career. In attendance alongside Demetrie were Quinn's children—Isaiah, Destiny, Semion, Shiann, Zion, Makayla, and Makenzie—his mother Claudine Quinn, sister Teyana, brother Dasean, and distinguished guests including retired 1st Sgt. Daniel Mendoza and 1st Sgt. Veronica Hernandez.
Reflecting on her husband's 28-year career, Demetrie shared both her pride and lighthearted anticipation for what comes next as he transitions into civilian life. “I like seeing him get a lot of achievements, and we appreciate all his hard work,” Demetrie said. “I keep asking him what he's going to do, because I think he's going to be bored!”
During the ceremony, Command Sgt. Maj. Roger Miller presented Quinn with the Meritorious Service Medal signed by Brig. Gen. Lenny A. Williams, Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard. Quinn also received a Presidential Certificate of Appreciation signed by President Donald J. Trump, a commendation letter from Maj. Gen. Rodney C. Boyd, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, and an official Certificate of Retirement.
Quinn’s military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Achievement Medal (7th Award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Expert Field Medical Badge, NATO Medal, 10-time Top 10 Recruiter of the Year Award, and the MSG Paul McDade Award.
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