There are many to choose from, way too many, who have Sacrificed way too much for this country, but now that Senator Obama has made History and will Lead the Convention they need look no further than his own State for one who can speak of the incompetence within the Veterans Administration leadership, and the Administration, and the Failure of the Republican Controlled Federal Government, while beating the Drums of War Louder and Louder, failed to even Think about those returning from their War Of Choice, the results of which we've been finding out about as Congress finally got back to it's job of Oversite and Investigation, as well as the MSM!
Welcome to the Web site for the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, the state agency dedicated and committed to assist veterans and their family members get the services they have rightfully earned.
"Our veterans put their lives on the line to fight for our freedoms. Now, it is our time to fight for them. We owe it to them."
L. Tammy Duckworth
Director, DVA
Committed to Serving Country and Community
Director L. Tammy Duckworth was appointed Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs by Governor Blagojevich on November 21, 2006.
Director Duckworth brings considerable managerial experience to the department. She was the Manager for the Club and District Administration Department for Rotary Internationals Asia-Pacific Region from 2002 to 2004, with direct supervision over employees in five regional offices in Japan, New Delhi, Sydney, Seoul and Chicago, providing administrative services to the organizations tens of thousands of members.
From 1999 to 2001, Director Duckworth coordinated the Center for Nursing Research at Northern Illinois University. She is a published author with textbook chapters and articles on the effects of Environmental Radon and Lung Cancer.
As a member of the military, Director Duckworth is currently a Major with the Illinois National Guard. Previously she was the 106th Aviation Battalion Logistics Officer in Peoria, and later the Commander of B/1-106th Aviation, a 15-ship, UH-60A Blackhawk Helicopter Company located at the Chicago Midway Airport. She served in Iraq as a Battle Captain and Assistant Operations Officer for a 500-soldier aviation taskforce. She also flew combat missions as a Blackhawk pilot. It was during a mission in November 2004 that a rocket-propelled grenade struck the cockpit of the helicopter she was co-piloting and exploded. Director Duckworth suffered grave injuries, losing both legs and partial use of one arm.
Since coming home from Iraq, Director Duckworth has remained active in the public arena, regularly speaking to Veterans groups, testifying before Congress on issues of medical care for returning veterans and running for a U.S. Congressional seat.
As a Soldier, Director Duckworth received the Purple Heart and the Air Medal, along with other decorations, citations and badges.
Director Duckworth, who speaks four languages, has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Hawaii and an M.A. from the George Washington Universitys Elliott School of International Affairs. Her PhD studies on the topic: Public-Private Partnerships in Public Health programs was interrupted by her mobilization to serve in Iraq and subsequent injury.
Director Duckworth was born in Thailand and grew up in several countries in Southeast Asia. Her father Franklin Duckworth fought as a U.S. Marine in World War II and Vietnam.
Director Duckworth and her husband MAJ Bryan Bowlsbey, currently reside in Hoffman Estates, IL.
Than 'President Obama' can place Tammy at the Head of the Veterans Administration! Illinois Vets would be sad to loose her but happy for the Veterans and Countries gain!!
{Word is she is being considered to run for Barracks Senate Seat, she would be well placed in either position, but being the fighter she is she would be a powerful voice and Advocate for Veterans around the Country!}
Tammy Duckworth: IAVA's 2007 Veterans Leadership Award
If not Tammy for the 'Keynote' than Anyone of the few, Who Have Actually Sacrificed for Country, another OIF or OEF Veteran, Goldstar Mother or Father, Goldstar Wife or Husband of a Fallen Soldier, Goldstar Child of a Fallen Soldier, would be the right way to Start the Turn of this Ship of State towards it's New and Correct Direction!
Though it may not mean much, but within the speach, a Huge Apology to the Innocent Victims, those killed, those maimed, those ethnically cleansed and made into refugees, of our Failed Policy of Wars of Choice and Devestating Occupations would start the needed Healing, Hopefully!!
For as long as We are in these Theaters of Occupation 'We Are Responsible', and that Responsibility continues in Helping Rebuild that which we Destroyed for the wants of the few!
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