Red, White & You: Honoring Illinois’ Military Heroes

Illinois has a storied tradition of military service, with countless individuals dedicating their lives to protecting our nation. While words can't fully capture the immense gratitude we feel for our servicemen and women, Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to highlight a few remarkable veterans and active-duty military members from our state. Read about their stories below, and if you know a military hero who deserves recognition, we’d love to hear from you! Simply answer a few questions, and we’ll take care of the rest.

1. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan (1826-1886)

Born in Southern Illinois in 1826, Maj. Gen. John A. Logan rose to prominence as one of the Union Army’s most effective volunteer generals during the Civil War. After serving with distinction in major battles such as Fort Donelson, Vicksburg, and the Atlanta Campaign, he went on to command the Army of the Tennessee. A lifelong advocate for veterans, Logan returned to Illinois after the war and served in both the U.S. House and Senate. He is widely credited as the founder of Memorial Day through his leadership in the Grand Army of the Republic—a legacy of remembrance that continues nationwide today. Read more here.

2. Command Chief Sgt. Jennifer Aurora

A Bloomington native and two-time Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, Jennifer Aurora made history as the first female command chief master sergeant of the Illinois Air National Guard. She joined the Guard at the age of 17 while attending Normal Community High School and went on to serve over three decades. Aurora deployed to both Qatar and Iraq, supporting aviation operations and providing logistical and security leadership at Balad Air Base. She retired in 2024 as the highest-ranking enlisted airman in the state, known for mentoring others and breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field, and now resides with her family in her hometown. Read more here.

3. Brad Marcy

A Springfield native and U.S. Army veteran, Brad Marcy served six years on active duty with the 233rd Military Police Company, including 15 months in Baghdad during the Iraq War. After returning home, he earned degrees from Illinois State University and went on to become a history and social science teacher at Le Roy High School, where he has taught for over a decade. Named Illinois State’s College of Education Teacher of the Year, Marcy is known for creating immersive, hands-on learning experiences—including a student-led project to clean and research veterans’ headstones in local cemeteries. Through his service in uniform and his dedication in the classroom, Marcy continues to inspire the next generation to honor and remember those who served. Read more here.

4. Master Sgt. Rosemary Connolly

A longtime resident of Chatham and Springfield, Master Sgt. Rosemary Connolly served in the U.S. Air Force from 1972 to 1995, including deployments during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Throughout her career, she earned numerous commendations, including the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Force Expeditionary Medal, and was named Base NCO of the Year in 1988. In 2011, she was named Illinois Veteran of the Month in recognition of her exceptional service and community leadership. Even after retirement, Connolly has remained active in dozens of veterans’ organizations and initiatives across Illinois—including visiting fellow veterans at hospitals and nursing homes with her therapy dogs, Amber and Sophie. Read more here.

5. Rochelle Crump

A U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War era, Rochelle Crump has dedicated her life to advocating for women who served. After earning the National Defense Service Medal and serving more than two decades with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Chicago-based leader co-founded the National Women Veterans United (NWVU) in 2005. The organization—one of the few of its kind nationwide—provides vital peer support, housing assistance, and mental health resources to women veterans, including those facing homelessness or the effects of trauma. In 2015, NWVU opened Illinois' only Military Women Veterans Center, later named in honor of fallen Illinois soldier Sgt. Simone A. Robinson. For her service and advocacy, Crump was honored by the American Red Cross as a 2020 “Everyday Extraordinary” Military Hero. Read more here.

Do you know a veteran or active military member who deserves recognition? We’d love to hear their story! Click here to nominate them for a chance to be featured on Patch!