Veterans Day at the 2019 Illinois State Fair

(Springfield)... The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Illinois State Fair invites veterans and their family members to enjoy a free day at the Illinois State Fair on Sunday, August 11, 2019. Veterans and their families can show any form of military ID for free admission. Parking is not included.

The theme of the year is "Year of the Female Veteran," with a keynote speech from Brigadier General (Ret.) Alicia A. Tate-Nadeau, the first woman to be promoted to general in the Illinois Army National Guard and the current Acting Director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

The following programs are planned for the August 11 Veterans Day at the 2019 State Fair:

9:30 a.m.                          Celebration of Life - Memorial and Gold Star Families Service
                                         Lincoln Stage, all are encouraged to attend.
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.     Benefits Exposition
                                         The Shed
10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.     AmVets Kid's Corner
                                         Lincoln Stage Area
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.   JROTC Drill Team Competition Part 1
                                         Central Avenue
12:00 p.m.                        Main Program - Keynote Speaker Brigadier General (Ret.) Alicia A. Tate-Nadeau
                                         Lincoln Stage
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.       Veterans' Lunch
                                         The Shed - Veterans and their families eat free
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.       JROTC Drill Team Competition Part 2
                                         Central Avenue
3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.       JROTC Drill Team Competition Awards Ceremony
                                         Lincoln Stage
4:00 p.m.                          Veterans' Day Parade
                                         Grandstand Avenue

The Illinois National Guard will be supporting many of the day's events:

• The Illinois Army National Guard's 144th Army Band is providing its 5-Star Brass Ensemble
• The Illinois Air National Guard's Chaplain (Major) Jon Bormann will provide the invocation and benediction during the memorial and the main program.
• The Illinois Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion will provide three Noncommissioned Officers to judge the JROTC Drill and Ceremony competition
• The Illinois National Guard's Lincoln ChalleNGe Academy will provide the Levant Guard (a color guard).

During the Celebration of Life, the Black Tigers Honor Guard will construct the battlefield cross, building the cross piece by piece for each branch of the military. After the cross is complete, one person from each Gold Star family will lay dog tags and a yellow rose.

The Benefits Exposition includes information about benefits, services and activities for veterans and their family members from the IDVA, state and federal agencies, veteran service organizations and non-profits.

The JROTC drill teams will be awarded first, second and third prize with a monetary gift. 

Media are welcomed to attend and advance publicity of the event is appreciated. 

About the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs
The mission of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs is to empower veterans and their families to thrive. We do this by assisting them in navigating the system of federal state and local resources and benefits; by providing long-term health care for eligible veterans in our Veterans' Homes; and by partnering with other agencies and non-profits to help veterans address education, mental health, housing, employment, and other challenges. For more information, visit https://www2.illinois.gov/veterans.