Returning home shaped by war the rise of a teacher
Daricis McCann, Murphysboro native and Illinois National Guard veteran, wraps up four Iraq deployment years, plans to teach in Southern Illinois after graduating SIU with English and secondary education. She credits veterans centers and peer groups at SIU with easing reintegration.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Daricis McCann
Illinois National Guard
SIU
Murphysboro
Illinois
Iraq
U.S
Baghdad
McCann
National Guard
133Rd Signal
George W. Bush
Saddam Hussein
Hussein
Bedlam
Chicago
Carbondale
SIU Student Daniel Stice Plans Illinois Conservation Police Career
Daniel Stice a forestry student at Southern Illinois University served deployments to Iraq in 2007-08 and 2009 near the Syrian border. He now works at the SIU Veterans Center helping veterans get benefits and plans to graduate next year before pursuing a job with the Illinois Conservation Police. He describes reintegration as a culture shock feeling the world around him is too civilized and normal and notes adapting from wartime habits to civilian life is challenging.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Daniel Stice
Iraq
SIU Veterans Center
Illinois Conservation Police
Stice
Steve Jahnke
SIU
Veterans Center
Woody Hall
Waterloo veteran reflects on civilian life after National Guard duty
Erik Brandt, a Waterloo resident and former member of the Illinois National Guard 133rd Signal Battalion, served in Iraq from 2003 to 2004. He describes a stark shift from a highly structured military routine to civilian life, noting reduced concentration and attention span as his National Guard service ended in December.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Brandt
National Guard
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Scott Fitzgerald
the Southern
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Tureni Turnat
ILE Photo
Patricia McCann
Paul Newton
Luice
Erik Brandt