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White to be awarded “Distinguished Member of the Regiment”

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Illinois

* Secretary White’s 85th birthday is next month, so this is an excellent early present for him…

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White will be honored with the Distinguished Member of the Regiment by the 187th Infantry Division and the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army this evening, May 17. The ceremony will take place at The Bruce Conference Center in Hopkinsville, KY near Fort Campbell.

White is being recognized for his contribution to society as an elected official, an educator, the founder and coach of the Jesse White Tumbling Team and for his charitable efforts. White served as a paratrooper in the highly regarded 101st Airborne Division based at Fort Campbell, and again as a member of the Illinois National Guard and Reserve.

“I have the greatest respect for those who serve our country in uniform and the commitment they have made,” said White. “I am humbled to be selected for this meaningful honor.”

White noted his experiences at Fort Campbell remain integral to him to this day. Serving in the U.S. Army taught him the importance of teamwork, respect, commitment to duty and helping others in need.

“I believe when you are successful in life, you should do everything you can to give back and make a positive difference to society. This remains my goal in life.”

* Check out the attached pic…

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 17, 19 @ 9:16 am

Comments

Congratulations Jesse. Thank you for your service to the country and Illinois.

Comment by Norseman Friday, May 17, 19 @ 9:22 am
Norseman +1

Comment by Huh? Friday, May 17, 19 @ 9:27 am
Can only echo, thank you for your service to the nation, Cook County and the State. He has made a positive difference to society. And, wow, all that tumbling must have helped him age well.

Comment by West Side the Best Side Friday, May 17, 19 @ 9:36 am
Amazingly well-liked for so long. Last time out, he won with 68.3% (his biggest percentage ever), busted 3.1 million votes and outpaced every other statewide winner by 400K to 600K votes.

I doubt anyone will ever do that again.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 17, 19 @ 9:39 am
Congratulations Mr White. I salute a fellow Paratrooper and Infantryman.

Comment by FormerParatrooper Friday, May 17, 19 @ 9:43 am
Well deserved recognition for a lifetime of service. Congratulations Jesse.

Comment by illini Friday, May 17, 19 @ 9:49 am
As a fellow veteran, I am proud to have had you in our ranks. SALUTE

Comment by Retired Educator Friday, May 17, 19 @ 9:57 am
A man to be proud of. Wikipedia and some other online sites say he served from 57 to 59. I wonder if he was one of the men that Eisenhower sent to Arkansas in 57 to enforce integration at the high school in Little Rock? None of the bios I saw mention it.

Comment by Whatever Friday, May 17, 19 @ 10:23 am
Just a reminder how great Secretary White is, and his own story, including his military service, which is celebrated here.

You can not like Secretary White, but that’s probably on you, and you’re in a small group. Even political “foes” love the man.

Congratulations, well deserved, from someone with great respect and admiration for all you’ve accomplished in life

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 17, 19 @ 10:31 am
BZ

Comment by Bigfoot Friday, May 17, 19 @ 10:37 am
What an incredible honor Mr. Secretary. Everyone should have been able to tell by that confident soldier’s bearing, that Jesse was destined for greatness.

Comment by Proud Sucker Friday, May 17, 19 @ 10:43 am
The only thing I don’t love about this is that he was a Rakkasan.

Comment by GV Friday, May 17, 19 @ 1:25 pm
Thank you, sir.

Comment by Bobby Hicks Friday, May 17, 19 @ 3:07 pm