The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
-By: Dessa Rodeffer/ Quill Publisher/Owner
What does Dan Kane, rural Smithshire, and five of his grandchildren have in common? : It's the United States Army. A service which values the qualities of honor, leadership, self-sacrifice, courage, and integrity.
And if you would ask Dan's grandkids, they would say that those ideals pretty much describe their grandpa, and their other relatives that have served in the U.S. Military.
They have influenced them so much that since 2016, five grandchildren of Dan and Carol Kane have signed up for the Illinois Army National Guard!
:and I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't more to come. The Kanes have 11 grandchildren.
GRANDFATHER
DANIEL JOSEPH KANE
US. ARMY SERVICE
VIETNAM WAR VETERAN
Dan Kane grew up on the family farm near St. Patrick's Catholic Church. He graduated from Media Wever High School and attended Spoon River College. Dan was drafted into the United States Army on November 2, 1970 during the Vietnam War (1955 to 1975).
Dan had his basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington, and was sent to Fort Rucker, Alabama where on July 15, 1971 he was deployed to Vietnam, serving as a mechanic (62B20). He returned home April 2, 1972.
His most vivid memory was "going in at Cam Rahn Bay and receiving orders - "take your malaria pill, take your salt pill, brush your teeth with this fluoride and:DON'T DRINK ANY WATER!"
In 1974, Dan married Carol Morey of Monmouth, and together they raised three children: Joe, Julia, and Jeanie, and now enjoy 11 grandchildren. Dan farmed for many years with his brother Johnnie and also worked for the Il Dept of Transportation for 15 years retiring in 2017.
When Dan was released from active duty, never did he think his two years of service in the United States Army during a most unpopular war, would influence five of his grandchildren to join the military, even though it's natural for kids to follow in their parents/grandparents footsteps.
Often you will hear children are influenced by a family member, but children of doctors are 24 times more likely than their peers to become doctors, compared to children of military parents (or grandparents) who are only 5 times more likely to join the military according to one 2017 statistic.
In the case of the Vietnam War, it pitted communist North Vietnam and the Viet Cong against South Vietnam and the United States. The United States involvement in the war ended in 1973.
Since Dan returned home he has been an active member of the American Legion for 48 years. His kids and grandkids have seen him take active roles in their community, by serving at the yearly Memorial Day services and military funerals, when called to do so, as an honor guard member.
THE GRANDKIDS
ILLINOIS ARMY
NATIONAL GUARD
Visiting with three of the five grandchildren this past weekend, you could tell these girls put a lot of thought and research into what plans would be best for their future. None of them wavered in the fact that joining the Illinois Army National Guard would indeed benefit them in many ways and would be the best choice. The opportunities are very diverse and if you work hard on achieving, you can be successful. There are a lot of advantages of being a part of the U.S. military family.
Ashleigh Brown, who has been in the guard since 2017, said there are a lot of standards to keep up and it may not be a lifestyle for everyone, but she said you can become about anything, a nurse, teacher, police officer, and you get 100% college tuition free and room and board with a GI grant and stipend for books and food.
Grandchild #1 joining the Army National Gu joining the Army National Guard was William Joseph Kane, middle name from his grandfather Dan. William just turned 21 and is engaged. He signed up for Infantry (11B) July 6, 2016 and his current rank is Specialist/E-4. Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) was at Fort Benning, GA. William was recently deployed for 8 months in Afghanistan in Paktia and Helmand Province. When asked his favorite memory: "Deploying to Afghanistan was an amazing experience and I'm truly lucky I had the opportunity to deploy and do what I've been trained to do and see the different culture and environment there. A lot of fun and memories I got to have with all the men I was with."
Grandchild #2 joining the Army National Guard was William's sister Ashleigh Brown who is 23 and is also engaged. She signed up on June 30, 2017 as a 68A Biomedical Equipment Technician. She repairs medical equipment, anything from thermometers to x-ray machines, and has the rank of Specialist/E-4. She attended BCT at Fort Sill, OK graduating as an Honor Grad. Her 42 weeks of AIT was at Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, TX. Her favorite memory of military life thus far is "the memories and friends I made in San Antonio, the amazing culture and food from San Antonio, and the leadership skills I learned there." Currently, Ashleigh is on active duty orders to help a unit in Bartonville with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grandchild #3 joining the Army National Guard on June 21, 2018 is Private First Class (E-3) Andrew Springer who turns 20 on July 4th. Andrew signed as a 13B Cannon Crewmember. He attended both BCT and AIT at Fort Sill, OK. Andrew's favorite memory thus far of military life is "The confidence I have built and all the friends I have made over the past two years."
Grandchild #4 joining the Army National Guard July 11, 2019 is Andrew's sister, Private First Class E-3 Emma Springer who was a recent member of the graduating Class of 2020 at Metamora Township High School, northeast of Peoria. She leaves next week for BCT at Fort Sill, OK, followed by AIT at Fort Huachuca, AZ.
Emma scored well on her ASVAB (military entrance exam) and passed an interview to be invited to join a newer unit of the National Guard. She is classified as a 15W Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator. Simply put, a drone pilot.
Emma's favorite memory thus far of military life is the "Swearing in at MEPS last year." Emma explained that it was an independent decision for her to join the National Guard. She had lots of options for her future after high school, but with her Grandpa Dan's service as a Vietnam veteran, her older brother Andrew enlisting, and her cousins William and Ashleigh's experiences, "I felt it would be an academic challenge for me and allow me to experience things I can't in the civilian world."
Grandchild #5 oining the Army National Guard on December 10, 2019 is Private 2nd Class, Shaila Campbell. who has signed as 91B Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic.
Shaila loves helping her grandfather and dad with mechanic work and took shop classes at Roseville-Monmouth High School where she recently graduated in the Class of 2020.
Shaila also leaves next week for her BCT at Fort Jackson, SC and her AIT at Fort Lee, VA.
Her favorite memory thus far is "going to drill on weekends with Emma."
Interesting and fun facts:
About the National Guard
The National Guard is a unique element of the U.S. military that serves both community and country. The Guard responds to domestic emergencies, overseas combat missions, counterdrug efforts, reconstruction missions and more. Any state governor or the President of the United States can call on the Guard in a moment's notice. Guard Soldiers hold civilian jobs or attend college while maintaining their military training part time. Guard Soldiers' primary area of operation is their home state. (www.nationalguard.com)
Quarantine Class of 2020 High School Graduates
Emma and Shaila were the most recent to enlist making them the 4th and 5th grandchild of Dan and Carol Kane to do so. This May during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine, the two cousins each graduated from separate high schools proudly wearing their National Guard camouflage underneath their caps and gowns.
In an individual ceremony with the administration and family present, Emma, 18, graduated with the Class of 2020 from Metamora High School, and Shaila graduated with her Class of 2020 from Monmouth-Roseville High School. Both felt their year was very different but also very special and they are looking forward to their Basic Training and service in the Illinois Army National Guard.
Serving the USA: Ashleigh Brown, William Kane, Dan Kane retired, Andrew Springer, Shaila Campbell, Emma Springer.
Dan and Carol Kane family from left: Cindy Jo Kane, Jack Kane, Luci Kane, Ashleigh Brown, William Kane, Carol Kane, Evie Campbell, Dan Kane, Shaila Campbell, Jeanie Campbell, Andrew Springer, Emma Springer, Craig Campbell, Samuel Springer, Julia Springer, and Chloe Springer .
(not pictured are Josh Springer and Joe Kane)