Community News
Jack Burns speaks to Rotary
Burns is currently a command sergeant major in the 108th Sustainment Brigade in the National Guard.
The Area Rotary met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, November 1st at Toni’s Restaurant in Benld. Joe Tieman, Assistant Superintendent of CUSD #7, introduced Jack Burns to the Rotary after the luncheon.
Mr. Burns has spent over 25 years in the school district, according to Tieman. Mr. Burns is a high school teacher where he teaches social studies, geography, college level world history, and mechanical drafting. Along with his years of dedication to education, Jack has done “an outstanding job in the sports arena.” Jack is the head coach of girls track and also an assistant football coach.
“Prior to our new track, Jack won conference and county championships,” Mr. Tieman noted, “This says a lot about his coaching ability, since we did not even have a track at the time.” Along with all these things, Mr. Burns also is the chairperson of the safe schools committee at CUSD #7. According to Tieman, Mr. Burns was very instrumental in establishing a “state-of-the-art school security plan.”
Above all others engagements, Mr. Burns is currently a command sergeant major in the 108th Sustainment Brigade in the National Guard and that is the main reason he was called on to speak at Tuesday’s luncheon.
Jack opened his speech by reminding the Rotarians about upcoming Veteran’s Day, November 11, and gave insight that it was once called Armistice Day until Eisenhower changed it in the 1950’s. “Veteran’s Day recognizes all soldiers who have served while Memorial Day honors soldiers that have gave their life,” Jack said.
Being a history teacher at Gillespie High School, Mr. Burns plays an active role in commemorating Veteran’s Day. On Veteran’s Day, Ms. Olson organizes a flag ceremony with the local VFW for the students. “In my history classes, I teach the kids about these two holidays [Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day],” Jack explained, “And at the end of the school year around Memorial Day, I take my students to Benld Cemetary and mark the graves with flags.” The students get to count this project as community service, according to Burns.
Jack went on to explain a new scholarship program which was introduced by Vicki DeWitt. DeWitt approached the school last year about a grant funded through the World War II Veterans of Illinois. To apply, the student is to interview a WWII Veteran and then edit/create a video of the interview. Many other stipulations apply. GHS took part in this scholarship fund for the first time last year and tied for first while receiving second place and numerous other honorable mentions.
The Illinois National Guard, which Burns plays a pivotal role in, contains over 10,000 soldiers. “A lot of people do not understand how military is broken down,” Burns explained, “There are 44 armories in Illinois.” Anyone of those armories can have between 40-400 soldiers. In Illinois, there are 5 major commands, according to Burns. “I have 2,500 soldiers in my brigade and I go to over 14 armories,” Jack said.
Burns explains how David Dickie received his medal of honor.
“Illinois has played a major role in the last 10 years in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Burns explained, “Many soldiers have deployed from Illinois.”
As a command sergeant major, Burns has done two tours in the war. His first tour was in Germany and his greatest enemy was German beer. “Trying to keep my soldiers out of trouble was my biggest task,” Burns said as he laughed. The second tour was in Iraq, where he was there for 18 months.
On a higher level, Burns went on to explain two local medal of honor winners. Both of the local medal of honor winners are buried in the Gillespie Cemetery. “This is the highest medal you can receive in the military,” Burns said.
The medal of honor was started during the Civil War. The two local soldiers who received this prestigious medal are Patrick Pentzer and David Dickie.
In closing, Jack explained how the two locals received their medals. Pentzer was a Captain in Company C, 97th Illinois Infantry. Pentzer was among the first to enter the enemy’s entrenchments, he received the surrender of a Confederate general officer and his headquarters flag.
Dickie on the other hand, was a Captain, in Battery M, 15th New York Heavy Artillery. Dickie refused to leave the field, remaining in command after being wounded by a piece of shell, and led his command in the assault on the enemy’s works on the following day.
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SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College has announced its full-time and part-time President’s and Vice President’s lists for the spring 2025 semester. Part-time students are enrolled in six to 11 credit hours while full-time students are enrolled in 12 or more credit hours.
Students who earned a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) are noted with an asterisk and earned President’s list honors. Students who earned between a GPA of 3.5-3.99 earned Vice President’s list honors. The excerpt below features Macoupin County students.
FULL-TIME STUDENTS
Bunker Hill – Logan R. Helling
Carlinville – Reid P. Evans*, Brody M. Reif
Gillespie – Maris E. Brill, Austin L. Grace*
Girard – Max Allen*, Katie Angulo*, Mick B. Downs*, Josh Hagerman, Reed Lewis, Michael S. Prose*
Mount Olive – Jakobb E. Brown*, Georgia G. Kampwerth
Palmyra – Alexis R. Bowman*
Staunton – Paige N. Horstmeyer*, Michael J. Matesa*, Lauren R. Mathis, Brandon Mo
Virden – Zorah E. Austin*, Michaeh N. Barnhouse*, Maddie Carver, Jackson R. Pierce*, Morgan C. Snell*, Grant M. Strickler, Courtney N. Ulinski*
PART-TIME STUDENTS
Benld – Christopher Young*
Carlinville – Alex C. Nance*, Jerry D. Nance Jr.*
Gillespie – Jessica L. Tiek*
Girard – Lindsey J. Ferguson*, Jackson R. Henke*, Natalie Moriconi*
Mount Olive – Kara A. Harmon*, Justin D. O’Neill*, Hayden Wylder*
Virden – Candace L. Carlile*, Lillian M. Carlile*, Natalie M. Little*, Josie P. Patterson, Luciano Pierce*
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The 2:18 Missions Team, a dedicated local outreach group based in Gillespie, is excited to announce its upcoming cookout fundraiser to support its community initiatives. The event will take place on Saturday, June 21st, at Randy’s Market in Benld.
From approximately 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., community members are invited to enjoy delicious homemade food while supporting a worthy cause. The menu will feature pork chops, pork burgers, hot dogs, and refreshing water — perfect for a summer day of good food and fellowship.
“All proceeds from this event will go directly toward our mission efforts to serve and uplift our community,” said a spokesperson for 2:18 Missions Team. “We’re grateful for the support of our neighbors and look forward to seeing everyone there!”
Come out to Randy’s Market in Benld on June 21st to enjoy a tasty meal, support local endeavors, and connect with others in the community.
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CARLINVILLE, IL – On June 14th, concerned citizens are invited to join a coalition of grassroots organizations to nonviolently protest in front of the Macoupin County Courthouse at 201 E. Main St. in Carlinville, IL, from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. This protest is one of over 1,400 protests taking place nationwide with millions of participants as part of the NO KINGS National Day of Action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration.
Trump’s unconstitutional actions include suppressing free speech, detaining people for their political positions, deporting American citizens, defying the courts, and much more – all while enriching himself and his billionaire allies.
“Now Donald Trump is planning a military parade in Washington, D.C. on June 14th. This display of might is intended to intimidate opponents and solidify his image as a strongman, while paying for it with taxpayer dollars.”, said Kelley Hatlee, a volunteer organizer with the Macoupin County 50501and Indivisible movements. “Instead of allowing this military parade to be the center of attention, the NO KINGS nationwide protests make action everywhere else the story of America on June 14th: people coming together in communities across the country to reject strongman politics and corruption.”, said Hatlee.
“We’re showing up together as neighbors, friends, and fellow community members to say NO to authoritarianism and yes to a government that serves everyone,” said Chelsa Pruden, a volunteer organizer with Macoupin PRIDE and Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible. “We’re tired of watching powerful people trample our rights and our voices. This protest is about reminding everyone, especially those in power, that real strength comes from the people.”
Participants are encouraged to make protest signs that convey their personal messages. Packaged, nonperishable food items will be accepted for donation to local food pantries to help low-income families who will be hit hardest by Trump’s policies.
The NO KINGS protest in Carlinville is organized by a volunteer coalition of the Macoupin PRIDE and the Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible grassroots movements. The coalition has created a Facebook page titled “Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible” for concerned citizens to follow.
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