Maj. Gen. Richard J. Hayes Jr., the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard (left) poses with Col. (Ret) Michael Haerr after presenting Haerr with the Legion of Merit award during a ceremony at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois Aug. 25. Haerr of Eureka, retired in May after 33 years in the Illinois Army National Guard. The award cited Haerr’s exceptionally meritorious service over the course of his career, which culminated as the Deputy Chief of Staff of Logistics.