Galesburg, IL – Illinois National Guard units in the western part of the state honored a fallen comrade while dedicating their new home.
The new Galesburg Readiness Center opened on the two year anniversary of the death of Kyle Wehrly. He was killed in action in Iraq.
The facility's Field Artillery Administrative Area was dedicated in his memory. Wehrly's mother, Nita Cross, is proud of the honor and says she remains close to local guard members.
Cross says "They're family members. They were with Kyle. One of them was holding Kyle's hand when he took his last breath. How much more connected could we be?"
Cross, Wehrly's widow Janet and his daughter Kylee took part in the ceremonial ribbon cutting ceremony at the center (see the photo).
The dedication ceremony for the readiness center included several speeches. One of them was given by Captain Corey Wise, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery, Assistant Operations Officer. He served with Wehrly. You can listen to Wise's speech by clicking on the audio button.
Additional information:
*The total cost of building the Galesburg Readiness Center was $9.2 million. More than $1 million came from the state. The rest was from the federal government.
*The 10-acre site on Lindwood Road was donated by the City of Galesburg.
*Units from Galesburg and Monmouth will call the center home. They will be taught and trained at the facility.
*The new center replaces outdated armories in those two towns. The old center in Galesburg was built in 1915. The former center in Monmouth dates back to 1918.
*One of the other speakers at the dedication ceremony was Maj. Gen. (IL) William Enyart, Adjutant General, Illinois National Guard.