State honors female veterans for their service

Chronicle Media

 

USO of Illinois President & CEO Alison Ruble, Illinois Dept. of Veterans' Affairs Director Erica Jeffries, Illinois Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti, and Illinois Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger listen to Danlie Cuenca sing the national anthem. (Photo by Maggie Cunningham/courtesy office of Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger)

USO of Illinois President & CEO Alison Ruble, Illinois Dept. of Veterans’ Affairs Director Erica Jeffries, Illinois Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti, and Illinois Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger listen to Danlie Cuenca sing the national anthem. (Photo by Maggie Cunningham/courtesy office of Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger)

Illinois Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger recently honored 23 female veterans from across Illinois for their leadership, dedication, and ongoing service to their country and their communities during a Women’s History Month Celebration at the James R. Thompson Center.

Chicago news anchor and reporter Stacey Baca served as emcee.

In addition to Munger, speakers included Illinois Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti, Illinois Dept. of Veterans’ Affairs Director Erica Jeffries, and Alison Ruble, President & CEO of the USO of Illinois.

Comptroller Munger also presented the USO of Illinois with a proclamation celebrating its 75th anniversary.

The Proviso East High School NJROTC Color Guard and national anthem singer Danlie Cuenca from the Navy Band Great Lakes participated in the ceremony.

 

The 23 honorees included:

 

Diane Ahrens | US MARINE CORPS

 

Alex Brackett | US MARINE CORPS

 

DeAnna Cagley | US ARMY MEDICAL CORPS

 

Tricia Dieringer | US ARMY

 

Alexis Duhon | US ARMY

 

Megan Everett | US NAVY

 

Katherine Gemmell | US NAVY

 

Kelsey Gumm | US NAVY

 

Amy Hess | US ARMY

 

Rep. Jeanne Ives | US ARMY

 

Erica Jeffries | US ARMY

 

Ashley Jones | US NAVY

 

Rep. Stephanie Kifowit | US MARINE CORPS

 

Dr. Donna King | US ARMY

 

Nicole Mandeville | US ARMY

 

Marie Marcotte | US ARMY

 

Lana McCants | US NAVY

 

Janice Muhammad | US ARMY

 

Loan Nguyen | US ARMY

 

Darienne Page-Rakestraw | US ARMY

 

Leslie Rodriguez | US NAVY

 

Alma Tello | US AIR FORCE

 

Veronica Vera | US AIR FORCE

 

 

 

 

—   State honors female veterans for their service —