Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs to honor Chicago woman as its May 2012 ‘Veteran of the Month'

CHICAGO –The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) later this month will honor Marlene Julye, a Chicago resident and U.S. Navy veteran, at its May 2012 “Veteran of the Month.”

“Marlene Julye has distinguished herself as a true and tireless leader within the Illinois veteran community,” said IDVA Director Erica Borggren. “As a volunteer and leader of Northeastern Illinois University’s Student Veterans Club, Marlene has made a tremendous difference in the lives of student veterans and others in the greater North Side community.”

Julye will be honored during IDVA’s Helping & Hiring Our Hometown Heroes benefits and job fair on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at Northeastern Illinois University’s Alumni Hall Student Union, 5500 North St. Louis Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60625.

The Illinois Veteran of the Month award is a distinction bestowed upon military veterans who continue to serve their communities after leaving the military. Julye served in the Navy from 2004 to 2008, serving both Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) campaigns in the Global War on Terrorism.

Julye’s personal and professional achievements include:

• For her military service, she was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Insignia, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
• On the home front after her military service, Julye returned to NEIU to complete her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work.
• In the veteran community, Julye became active in the Student Veterans Club (SVC), an official chapter affiliate of the Student Veterans of America and currently serves as president this academic year. She maintains constant contact with NEIU’s student veterans and has a finely tuned awareness of veterans’ issues including reintegration challenges faced by OIF/OEF veterans. She was also instrumental in the following veteran-related programs and events:

* Serving as a member of the National Leadership Council, an advisory body for the Student Veterans of America, which serves to provide military veterans with the resources, support, and advocacy needed to succeed in higher education and following graduation
* Women Veterans Luncheon to highlight impact of women in the veteran community
* 9/11 Remembrance 5K for Families of September 11th and the National Military Families Association
* National Roll Call and Dedication Ceremony for SVC during Veteran’s Day 2011
* Benefit for Joshua Misiewicz fundraising event for soldier wounded in Afghanistan
* Care Packages for Deployed Servicemembers
* Veteran Emergency Book and Supply Program to assist students with books and supplies for college classes during the lag time as student veterans wait for GI Bill benefits.

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.