A group of seven Illinois National Guard soldiers who aren’t used to being the center of attention got steady applause Thursday as they headed down Ninth Street as grand marshals of the Illinois State Fair’s annual Twilight Parade.
The parade is the traditional kickoff for the fair, which begins its 10-day run today after Thursday night’s free preview.
The grand marshals, all veterans of the war in Afghanistan, included Capt. Lenny Williams of Dyer, Ind., First Sgt. Ed Panosh of Chicago and five soldiers who were wounded in action: Sgt. Michael Brown, Chicago; Sgt. Dirk Bryant, Rochelle; Spc. Mitch Chapman, Newton; Spc. Kayleb Cash, Hindsboro; and Spc. Chad Arnold, Watson.
Williams, commander, B Battery, 2-122 Field Artillery, said the soldiers are normally “behind the scenes.”
“I don’t think they are comfortable with the cameras and the limelight, but this is a huge honor. Also, I think the people appreciate seeing them,” Williams said.
While overseas, the soldiers were part of a security forces team under Williams’ command that performed police-mentoring duties on 32 forward operating bases throughout Afghanistan.
The security forces team was part of the Illinois National Guard’s 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, which represented the largest deployment of Illinois Guard soldiers since World War II.
Brown, who sustained injuries to his arm when a roadside bomb damaged his Humvee, said the soldiers knew the dangers, but that didn’t stop them from focusing on their mission.
“You kind of figured that stuff was going to happen, but you still had to go out and do the mission. The mission is always first,” he said.
Both Brown and fellow soldier Bryant said it was an honor to represent the Guard in the parade.
“I’m very happy to be here,” Bryant said. “I’ve never been to the state fair. I’m looking forward to the parade and everything else.”
Bryant was injured in January when he shot in the left hip. He received treatment in Afghanistan, Germany and Fort Knox in Kentucky.
Williams said it was especially appropriate for the five wounded soldiers to serve as grand marshals and to get to hear the applause from people watching the parade.
“The thing with them is that they were medivac-ed out of Afghanistan,” Williams said. “So when we came home and had a welcome ceremony, they weren’t with us. This is a good way to honor them and the sacrifices they made.”
The theme of this year’s Illinois State Fair is “An All American Fair.”
Amy Bliefnick, manager of the fair, said asking the soldiers to be the grand marshals was Gov. Pat Quinn’s idea.
“I thought it was an outstanding suggestion,” Bliefnick said.
Thursday’s parade, which started at Ninth Street and North Grand Avenue, included marching bands, fire trucks and floats from several area businesses and groups.
One of the people standing near the beginning of the parade was Tom Borsch of Shiloh, who drove about 90 minutes to see the parade. He agreed that selection of the Guard soldiers as grand marshals was a good choice.
“Our veterans, whether they come back disabled or healthy, they need the attention because they put their lives on the line for us over there to protect our country,” Borsch said.
Williams said the wounded soldiers would be spending Thursday night as guests at the Executive Mansion.
A ribbon-cutting to officially open the 2009 Illinois State Fair is set for 9:30 a.m. today. It will be Quinn’s first as governor.
Twilight Parade Results
High School Marching Band Competition
Honor Band – Rochester1
st Place – Lincoln Way
2nd Place – Normal West
Floats
Governor’s Sweepstakes – CORA
Commercial
Grand Marshal’s Award – Shirley’s Lights
Director’s Award – Wal-MartIllinois
State Fair Award – L & M Gymnastics
Non-Commercial
Grand Marshal’s Award – ABATE
Director’s Award – Springfield Arts Council
Illinois State Fair Award – Pinwheels for Prevention
Novelty and Specialty
Grand Marshal’s Award – Lincoln Laffers
Director’s Award – Ansar Shrines
Illinois State Fair Award – The Sun Room
Walking Units
Grand Marshal’s Award – Lanphier High School
Director’s Award – Memorial Medical Transplant Unit
Illinois State Fair Award – Marching Spartans
By mailto:john.reynolds@sj-r.com
THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER
THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER
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