veterans

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates there were roughly 40,000 homeless veterans across the country in 2016. A new tri states organization believes the construction of tiny homes could help reduce that number.

The city will hold a couple veterans-related events in the coming weeks.  They come on the heels of a gathering late last month that honored those who served in the Vietnam War.

John Moon of Macomb said he signed up for the military after hearing news about the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

David Harrison of Keokuk was just 18 when he broke his leg while serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. More than 65 years later, he’s being honored for that service to his country.

Western Illinois University has a national reputation for being good to student veterans and service members. Military Times ranks Western in the top 20 percent of all universities, colleges, and trade schools in the country. Western is "military friendly" because it's affordable, classes are small, the university counts some armed forces training towards college credit, and Western has one of the first Veterans Resource Centers in the state.

Sara Creech has grown dependent on farming. She started out planting an orchard of fruit trees - apples, peaches, cherries and pears. She added berry bushes and rows of vegetables.

And then she bought her first chickens.

In the bottom drawer of my desk are among my most valuable possessions—the letters my brothers sent when they were active duty Marines.

The late Lane Evans might end up with his name on a building in Galesburg.

Veterans, past and current park board members, and others took part in the Veteran's Park dedication ceremony in Macomb.

“When you look at the young kids playing out here on any afternoon, that's what people served for. To provide that opportunity,” said Park Board President John Hemingway, who is a veteran.

During the ceremony, McDonough County American Legion Post 6 and Macomb VFW Post 1921 presented an American flag to Park District Executive Director Ray Peterson, who oversaw acquisition and development of the 80-acre site.