Terry Vance, a Vietnam Veteran from Springfield, was honored today as the Illinois Veteran of the Month.

Vance has been a life-long advocate for his fellow veterans and says today's vets face the same challenges as those from forty years ago.

Vance says veterans today still need housing, an education, a job when they return home from protecting our freedoms in combat zones all over. So, Vance says, things need to be on the forefront in terms of media coverage, and before communities, the legislatures, and Congress.

Vance served with the 51st Airborne Infantry Long Range Patrol Company F Special Operations. He received an honorable discharge after suffering combat-related injuries in 1969. Vance earned the Silver Star, Purple Heart and numerous other medals and badges. Locally, he has served his peers in veterans organizations for over forty years.