Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs to honor Springfield resident as its ‘Veteran of the Month'

SPRINGFIELD –The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) next week will honor Terry Vance, a Springfield resident and U.S. Army veteran, as its January 2012 “Veteran of the Month” during a ceremony beginning at 1 p.m. (CST) next Tuesday (January 31, 2012) at VFW Post 755, 2211 Old Jacksonville Road in Springfield.

“Terry Vance is an exceptional veteran who continues to put the needs of others above his own,” said IDVA Director Erica Borggren. “He served our country in Vietnam and, as a leader with many veterans’ organizations, has been a strong, lifelong advocate for his fellow veterans.” 

The Illinois Veteran of the Month award is a distinction bestowed upon military veterans who give back to their communities. Vance served as a radio operator with the 51st Airborne Infantry Long Range Patrol Company “F” Special Operations from 1967-1968. He received an honorable discharged in 1969 after suffering combat-related injuries. He is being honored by IDVA and his peers for his 40-plus years of service to the local veterans’ community.
 

Vance’s personal and professional achievements include:

• For his military service, he earned the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal, and Parachutist Badge.
• On the home front, he joined the VFW in 1971 and established a distinguished record of service at the Post, District and Department levels, obtaining status of All-American District-7 commander and also serving as National Aid-de-Camp. He is a life member of the VFW, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and AMVETS.
• Professionally, Vance worked as a food service industry executive, retiring in 1991 from Panama LTD, Inc. as the company’s President and CEO.

The “Veteran of the Month” award highlights the work of community servants who are also military veterans. Each month the Department recognizes a different person or group that contributes to the betterment of communities across the state of Illinois. To nominate a “Veteran of the Month,” please visit IDVA’s website at veterans.illinois.gov to obtain a list of guidelines and a nomination form.