Lynn Brown Honored by IDVA

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Published on March 14 2017 3:35 pm
Last Updated on March 14 2017 5:08 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

(LYNN BROWN WITH WIFE CAROLYN AT TUESDAY'S RECOGNITION CEREMONY)

Effingham's Lynn Brown was recognized Tuesday by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs for his more than 26 years' service as a Veterans Service Officer.

IDVA Director Erica Jeffries was on hand for the ceremony held at the American Legion Post Home along with other state and regional veterans officials. In addition, Brown's wife, Carolyn and daughters Tonya Siner and Shelby Overbeck were present, along with several of Brown's brothers. Many officers and staff members of Effingham County offices were also on hand to see recognition paid to a man they've worked with at the Effingham County Office Building for many years.

Jeffries said Brown and other VSOs work to help veterans and their spouses in many ways. During his remarks, Brown said that help now extends to assistance for veterans or their spouses on fixed incomes who don't have enough income to make ends meet. He asked anyone who knows of such an individual to contact him.

(ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS DIRECTOR ERICA JEFFRIES WITH LYNN BROWN)

Mike Hall, who manages Congressman John Shimkus' Effingham office, read a statement recognizing Brown's service that was read into the Congressional Record by the congressman earlier this month, and Effingham County Board Chairman Jim Niemann read and then presented Brown a proclamation from the Board recognizing his service. Effingham Mayor Jeff Bloemker also attended Tuesday's ceremony.

Jeffries, who is a West Point graduate, was a Blackhawk helicopter pilot during her time in the military. She noted after the ceremony that the director of the IDVA doesn't have to be a veteran, but said a VSO like Brown does have to have served.

Here is our conversation with Director Jeffries...

Brown concluded his brief remarks by sharing a slogan that was given him by a fellow worker at the County Building; "heroes don't wear capes, they wear dog tags". He said that's behind his motivation to serve his fellow veterans. Director Jeffries shared that the slogan also applies to Brown.

Here's our Greg Sapp's conversation with Lynn Brown after Tuesday's ceremony...

Brown is now one of four Employees of the Quarter in the running for the Employee of the Year Award, to be presented by the governor on Veterans Day at the Illinois State Fair this summer.