Special Commendation from US Army's Freedom Team

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Mrs. Vanessa Fleming of Du Quoin is in receipt of a special commendation from the United States Army's Freedom Team. The commendation is for Fleming's work as chairwoman of a personal holiday project called "The Teddy Bear Challenge". Between October and December, Fleming collected 894 Teddy Bears which were given to children of all eight Illinois National Guard units from Effingham to Cairo serving abroad. The Flemings have a son, Michael, and a daughter, Ashley, who have or are now serving their country in the guard. The commendation is signed by Gen. George Casey and Secretary of the Army, Pete Geren.