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Illinois' Deep Links to Afghan War
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois' involvement in the Afghan war runs deep and many of those directly affected say they planned to watch President Obama's announcement about the war for signs of what's ahead for U.S. troops.

Ralph Grieco of suburban Winfield hopes Americans don't leave Afghanistan too soon. His son, Staff Sgt. Kevin Grieco, was part of a National Guard unit in Afghanistan when a suicide bomber killed him in 2008.

Brig. Gen. Scott Thoele commanded Kevin Grieco's brigade. Thoele said his troops did good work helping Afghans create an army and police force from scratch.

The Afghan war has cost the guard 19 troops. In all, 71 Illinois troops have died in Afghanistan.

The brigade Thoele used to lead is likely headed back to Afghanistan in 2013.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
06 23 11 by Newsroom
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