U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran from Des Plaines To Receive the Abraham Lincoln Veteran Champion Award

Vincent E. Rangel, a decorated U.S. Army Vietnam combat veteran, leader, and distinguished volunteer supporting veterans and his community, will be honored with the Abraham Lincoln Veteran Champion.

The award ceremony will take place Wednesday, January 7, 2015, 5 p.m. at Casa Michoacan, 1638 S. Blue Island Ave., Chicago, IL.

Vincent E. Rangel epitomizes the veteran who returns from military service and becomes a great asset to his community, country, and for his fellow veterans.  As a young infantry officer, he led and trained soldiers in Vietnam during the height of that conflict, earning his Parachutist Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Purple Heart Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and other awards.  After the military, he was a leader the Hispanic community of Illinois, serving on the Mexican-American Chamber of Commerce; as the President of the Mexican Civic Society of Illinois for 3 years; Vice President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Northern Illinois; and served as spokesman for the “Just Say Yes” Veteran Mental Health Campaign for the State of Illinois.  He is also very active in his community and in outreach efforts to his fellow veterans and their families. He was nominated by Harry Sawyer, Field Services Manager, Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs.  Family, friends, and fellow veterans are expected to attend the event.

The Abraham Lincoln Veteran Champion Award (ALVCA) highlights and honors Illinois veterans whose contributions in service to the veteran community and their local communities are truly above and beyond. Nominees are evaluated on the basis of their leadership, dedication, innovation, and impact in serving these communities. ALVCA recipients are those whose efforts add to the powerful narrative that veterans are dedicated, lifelong public servants from whose efforts all of Illinois’ communities stand to benefit. In contributing to this narrative through their service to veteran and local communities, the ALVCA recipients not only impact the lives of those they serve, but also the overall advocacy effort for Illinois veterans.

IDVA Acting Director Rodrigo Garcia will present the award on behalf of Governor Pat Quinn, which includes a framed proclamation as well as a State Flag.