ROCK ISLAND, IL (05/27/2011)(readMedia)-- Five hundred and eighty students of the class of '11 graduated from Augustana College with their Bachelor of Arts degree on May 22, 2011. Augustana's 151st commencement convocation was held at the iwireless Center in Moline, Ill.

From your area this includes:

Debra Butler from Bettendorf , IA. Butler majored in psychology.

Lauren Carver from Bettendorf , IA. Carver majored in biology.

Rayna Narvaez from Bettendorf , IA. Narvaez majored in psychology and Spanish.

Emily Voigt from Bettendorf , IA. Voigt majored in business marketing.

Katherine Voigt from Bettendorf , IA. Voigt majored in biology.

Anna Smith from Davenport , IA. Smith majored in biology and psychology.

Regina Jarrell from Davenport , IA. Jarrell majored in art.

Christopher Wadsager from Davenport , IA. Wadsager majored in biochemistry.

Audrey Waner from Davenport , IA. Waner majored in art.

Anita Cook from Davenport , IA. Cook majored in art.

Kelsey Van Dyke from Davenport , IA. Van Dyke majored in music education instrumental.

Samuel Anderson from Rock Island , IL. Anderson majored in math and computer science.

Brianna Dyer from Rock Island , IL. Dyer majored in teaching English.

Neil Friberg from Rock Island , IL. Friberg majored in English.

Travis Greenlee from Rock Island , IL. Greenlee majored in speech communication.

Jacob McDowell from Rock Island , IL. McDowell majored in psychology and English.

Hee Do Park from Rock Island , IL. Park majored in Asian studies and economics.

John Patton from Rock Island , IL. Patton majored in English.

James Sales from Rock Island , IL. Sales majored in biology.

Andrew Shaffer from Rock Island , IL. Shaffer majored in honors history.

Courtney Vandewiele from Rock Island , IL. Vandewiele majored in political science and accounting.

Robert Fite from Coal Valley , IL. Fite majored in business management.

Rebekka Laverenz from Coal Valley , IL. Laverenz majored in biology.

Michael Seevers from Cordova , IL. Seevers majored in geography.

Emma Burgess from East Moline , IL. Burgess majored in psychology.

Matthew Kustes from East Moline , IL. Kustes majored in business management information systems.

Nicole Molina from East Moline , IL. Molina majored in international business.

Kayla Papish from East Moline , IL. Papish majored in teaching math and math.

Lauren White from East Moline , IL. White majored in accounting.

Jeremy Smith from Milan , IL. Smith majored in political science.

Brian Stone from Milan , IL. Stone majored in teaching math and math.

Felipe Aguilar from Moline , IL. Aguilar majored in business management.

Kellene Anthony from Moline , IL. Anthony majored in psychology and sociology with social welfare.

Steven Ash from Moline , IL. Ash majored in physics.

James Hallene from Moline , IL. Hallene majored in business finance.

Alyssa Harmon from Moline , IL. Harmon majored in political science.

Allison Hughes from Moline , IL. Hughes majored in accounting and business marketing.

Nicole Johnson from Moline , IL. Johnson majored in teaching English.

Jasmin Landeros from Moline , IL. Landeros majored in elementary education.

Courtney Mitten from Moline , IL. Mitten majored in psychology.

Anna Press from Moline , IL. Press majored in biology and pre-medicine.

Michael Reeves from Moline , IL. Reeves majored in accounting.

Meghan Showers from Moline , IL. Showers majored in Asian studies and political science.

Mark Stumphy from Moline , IL. Stumphy majored in biology.

Audrey Taylor from Moline , IL. Taylor majored in teaching biology and biology.

Jane Wiborg from Moline , IL. Wiborg majored in art history.

Nicholas Armstrong from Orion , IL. Armstrong majored in psychology.

Adam Bohland from Orion , IL. Bohland majored in psychology.

Ryan Hancock from Orion , IL. Hancock majored in geography.

Deanna Zwicker from Orion , IL. Zwicker majored in business finance and economics.

Jonathan Wallace from Port Byron , IL. Wallace majored in political science.

Megan Lecander from Sherrard , IL. Lecander majored in business management.

Bonnie Barlow from Silvis , IL. Barlow majored in psychology.

Randi Johnson from Silvis , IL. Johnson majored in communication science and disorders.

Janelle VanWatermeulen from Silvis , IL. VanWatermeulen majored in business marketing.

About Augustana: Founded in 1860 and situated on a 115-acre campus near the Mississippi River, Augustana College is a private, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The college enrolls nearly 2,500 students from diverse geographic, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds and offers more than 60 majors and areas of study. Augustana employs 226 faculty and has a student-faculty ratio of 11:1. Augustana continues to do what it has always done: challenge and prepare students for lives of leadership and service in our complex, ever-changing world.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (05/27/2011)(readMedia)-- The life of a service member is never a simple one. Missions, deployments and sacrifice come often in the service of one's country.

For many Illinois' veterans who have served in the U.S. military, their sacrifices bring respect and honor in both life and death.

Approximately 80 Soldiers with Illinois National Guard's Funeral Honors Program are tasked with the solemn duty of performing military honors at the funerals of those who have honorably served in the U.S. military, said Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Vocks of Taylorville, the non-commissioned officer in charge of casualty operations with Joint Forces Headquarters for the Illinois National Guard.

"These are the final respects we're allowed to give to our comrades in arms," said Vocks. "It's the military's way of giving back to their own. It is steeped in military customs and traditions, but when it comes down to it, it's taking care of those who have come before us."

The veterans who have served deserve to be honored said Patrick Jockisch of Petersburg, the state coordinator for the Illinois National Guard's Funeral Honors Program.

"The number one purpose of the Funeral Honors Program is to honor our nation's veterans and we do that for all veterans who have served in either war or peace," said Jockisch.

The funeral honors team, the Honor Guard, pay respect to veterans by folding the flag placed on their casket, presenting it to the family of the fallen and then sounding Taps to honor the deceased, said Jockisch. At larger ceremonies they may hold a 21-rifle volley.

The Soldiers who perform the military honors are trained in a comprehensive week-long course and are certified as members of the Honor Guard and part of the Funeral Honors Team, said Staff Sgt. Brandon Page of Marion, the Funeral Honors trainer for the Illinois National Guard. Soldiers are trained how to properly perform the ceremonies and the motions involved.

Page said the Soldiers who become part of the Honor Guard put forth dedication to honoring the fallen.

"They're here for one reason and that's to honor veterans," said Page. "To be in the Honor Guard you have to be the best of the best ... not everyone can do this job."

Page said the Soldiers can be at seven to 10 funerals a week and the nature of the job can be tough. Dealing with death and the fallen can take its toll, but Honor Guard Soldiers know the significance of their mission.

"It's not an easy job," said Jockisch. "Even though the sequences are always the same every day, every day it's a different family, it's a different circumstance. We are the face of the (Illinois National Guard) and we connect with the community and are a part of that community. By laying our nation's and our state's veterans to rest, we're reaching out to that community letting them know we still care and that a Soldier may be fallen but never forgotten."

Older veterans of the World War II, Vietnam and Korea conflicts make the main percentage of the fallen with a small percentage of traditional National Guardsmen and Soldiers who have died overseas in the current operations, said Jockisch.

Any veteran who has been honorably discharged from the U.S. military is eligible to receive military honors at his or her funeral.

The Illinois National Guard's Funeral Honors team performs approximately 300 funeral services a month and performed more than 3,000 funerals in 2010. The Funeral Honors Program works heavily with military supporting groups like the Patriot Riders, the Order of the Purple Heart and other veteran services organizations across the state.

For those interested in more information on military funeral honor services or joining the Illinois National Guard's Honor Guard please contact the State Funeral Honors Office at 217-761-3047.

Revel amid flickering tiki torches while sipping a cool beverage and listening to steel drums poolside at Brucemore during this year's Tahitian Party on June 24 from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. Enjoy roast suckling pig, noshes, and Polynesian drinks provided by Brucemore's new and returning food vendors - Benz Beverage Depot, Braise, First Avenue Wine House, Ruzicka's, Wright Touch Bake Shoppe and Catering, and Zins Restaurant. Bid on exclusive Brucemore experiences in the silent auction, such as special floral packages from the Brucemore Cutting Gardens Flower Shop, VIP ticket packages for Brucemore events, exclusive dining experiences on the estate, and private brunch on Brucemore's West Porch. All proceeds benefit the Lord & Burnham Greenhouse Rehabilitation Project to begin in July with completion targeted for October. The public is invited to contribute to the greenhouse project; donors of $1,000 or more will be acknowledged on a donor recognition tree to be placed in the greenhouse.

Sarah Anderson, member of the Tahitian Party Steering Committee, said, "I'd be hard pressed to find a way I'd rather spend a midsummer's evening in Iowa. There may be no better vantage to appreciate the mansion, its history, and the general splendor of summer in Cedar Rapids than gathered poolside at Brucemore with friends and patrons alike at the Tahitian Party."

Tickets are $50 per person.  Please call (319) 362-7375 to purchase tickets by Friday, June 17. Sponsorship levels are also available beginning at $100 and offering additional benefits. For more information, visit www.brucemore.org or call (319) 362-7375.

Mercy Medical Center is the Printing Sponsor and Leading Sponsors include : Kathleen and Tom Aller; Alliant Energy Foundation; Echo Batson and Mike Ahart; Benefit Solutions, Inc.; Bradley & Riley PC; Brenda Duello; Tim and Katie Hill; Jim Kern and Mickey Sigler; Linn County Board of Supervisors Witwer Trust; Nina E. and Victor Merveaux Fund; Paul and Jennifer Morf; National Trust for Historic Preservation; Paulson Electric Co.; Tom Peffer and Carol Reasoner; Fred and Janet Manatt Pilcher; Rinderknecht Associates, Inc.; Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, PLC; Simmons, Perrine, Moyer, Bergman, PLC; Solum & Lang Architects; and Wells Fargo.

Brucemore, Iowa's only National Trust Historic Site, is located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

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"I'm going to lace up my white shoes and spread the news far and wide that this administration is trying to mislead and scare seniors."

ALEXANDRIA, VA. - Pat Boone, national spokesperson for the 60 Plus Association, today issued the following statement in defense of Rep. Paul Ryan's Medicare-saving reforms and those who support the proposed legislation:

"Harry Reid and his cohorts are not fooling seniors with the 'Medi- scare' tactics.  Rep. Ryan's budget will not end Medicare.  Instead, it will preserve the offerings of this program for our children and grandchildren. He's not proposing to take $500 billion out of Medicare - that's President Obama's plan!

"When they controlled Washington, Democrats, led by President Obama, failed to address the solvency issue of Medicare.  And they're still refusing to address the issue. Their 'solution' is to wait for others to propose a plan - and then misrepresent and attack it.  This course will lead to certain bankruptcy. This senior isn't going to take it.  I'm going to lace up my white shoes and spread the news far and wide that this administration is trying to mislead and scare seniors.

"Without deliberate and evenhanded reform, Medicare will not survive.  Our country needs leadership over politics.  On behalf of the 60 Plus Association, I commend those individuals who have voted for and continue to support the Medicare-saving reforms proposed by Rep. Ryan.  These elected officials have put politics aside and worked for the people, fulfilling the promises they made during the election and protecting Medicare for generations to come."

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The 60 Plus Association is an 19-year-old nonpartisan organization working for death tax repeal, saving Social Security, affordable prescription drugs, lowering energy costs and other issues featuring a less government, less taxes approach as well as a strict adherence to the Constitution.  60 Plus calls on support from 7.1 million citizen activists.  60 Plus publishes a magazine, SENIOR VOICE, and a Scorecard, bestowing awards on lawmakers of both parties who vote "pro-senior."   60 Plus has been called, "an increasingly influential senior citizen's group" and since 1992 "the conservative alternative to the AARP."