Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
T-town native takes Deputy Commanding General position
Col. Scott Thoele was toying with the idea of retiring from the Illinois Army National Guard after returning from Afghanistan earlier this year.
But then he received an opportunity to continue serving — and be promoted to brigadier general.
Thoele, a 1976 Teutopolis High School graduate, will be Deputy Commanding General of the Army National Guard-Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. As a result, he will delay his retirement three more years. He originally joined the Army in December 1980 — not long after his graduation from Quincy University. After several years as an active duty officer, he switched over to the Illinois Army National Guard while developing a banking career.
Since much of the U.S. Army’s doctrine — or operating procedure — is written at Fort Leavenworth, Thoele hopes he can use his position to ensure the Guard’s interests are taken into account.
“I want to make sure the Guard’s voice is heard when this doctrine is written,” he said.
Thoele also will represent the base at various military conferences and symposiums. He expects to be promoted to brigadier general soon after beginning his new position Dec. 5.
Thoele said his new Army assignment will still enable him to continue his banking career as the compliance and loan review officer at First Bankers Trust in Quincy.
Thoele has been involved in several military campaigns and operations. Most recently, he commanded the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat team in Afghanistan. While the team’s primary mission was to train and mentor Afghan soldiers and police officers, more than 3,500 soldiers on the team did much more from their 226 bases in Afghanistan, including eradicating opium poppy fields, assisting with road projects, digging wells and building schools, among many other things.
Thoele said the Illinois team received high marks from its regular Army supervisors.
“Our commander was very pleased,” he said. “We left a positive impression on our active duty counterparts.”
Thoele said he still derives pleasure from working with younger soldiers, though he admits the War on Terror has been stressful at times.
“It’s been very difficult at times,” Thoele said. “Nevertheless, I’m proud of my role in the War on Terror.”
Bill Grimes can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 132 or bill.grimes@
effinghamdailynews.com.
- Local News
-
-
A dream come true
The Early Learning Center in Effingham has two new additions to its playground this year, and it’s not shiny new slides or colorful jungle gyms.
-
T-town village donates to school programs
Teutopolis hasn’t had a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program for more than a decade, but the village still had a fund for donations that had been made to the program.
-
Alcohol sales stir up extra revenue
Since voters allowed liquor sales in Farina earlier this year, village officials and store owners have noticed a change — and it’s positive.
-
Police release 'person of interest' sketch in Schmitt murder investigation
Effingham police released a sketch Tuesday of a "person of interest" in the June murder of Effingham resident Jack Schmitt.
-
Elderly couple escapes burning house thanks to neighbor
An elderly Shumway couple was able to escape a house fire unharmed Sunday night thanks to a neighbor who alerted the fire department and came to the aid of the husband and wife.
-
Giving Back
In many ways, Autumn Worton is like many other 21-year-old women.
-
Making a Difference
Mack Myers of Kinmundy has lived with a hereditary neurological disorder his entire life, and he credits the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) for helping him cope with the disorder that’s affected him since 1947.
-
Area unemployment inches higher
Unemployment rates increased in nearly every area county last month, according to monthly statistics released this week by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
-
Local historians want to preserve, relocate bowstring bridge
The old Flensburg bridge is a rare glimpse into days gone by, though the modern-day resident has to use some imagination to see the bridge’s historical significance.
-
Drug checkpoint questionable
Motorists traveling southbound on Interstate 57 near Kinmundy Tuesday morning drove through a drug interdiction checkpoint — the first-ever in Marion County — even though the U.S. Supreme Court has taken a dim view of similar efforts.
- More Local News Headlines
-
