The Rock Island Milan School District would like to recognize the service of RIMSD 41 employees who have served our country in the Armed Forces. We thank you for your brave service to our country and honor you today, November 11, 2025. Below are the Veterans in the district that we are honoring:
Veteran's Name: Troy Bevans
Veteran's Current Position: Director of Information Technology at RIMSD Administration Center
Veteran's Reflection on Service: The Marine Corps didn’t just shape me, it forged me. It taught me discipline, loyalty, and how to push past limits I never knew I had. The bonds I formed back then are unbreakable.
Some memories are tough, some still sit heavy, but every one of them built the person I am today. The Corps gave me a compass I still follow: stand tall, do what’s right, and give it your best.
Once a Marine, always a Marine. Semper Fi!
Veteran's Name: Dean Van Vooren
Branch of service: United States Army
Veteran's Current Position: Teacher at Thomas Jefferson Elementary
Veteran's Name: Jesse Wayland
Branch of service: United States Air Force
Veteran's Current Position: Teacher at Rock Island High School
Veteran's Reflection on Service: There is no greater honor than to serve your country.
Veteran's Name: Mike Adams
Branch of service: United States Navy
Veteran's Current Position: Custodial/maintenance supervisor, second shift at the Admin Center
Veteran's Reflection on Service: I graduated from Rock Island in 1991. I honestly didn't apply myself and needed the additional time and structure of the military to mature. I will forever be thankful for the time I spent in the Navy.
I believe many of our young graduates who are undecided and in need of more guidance, could benefit from service for multiple reasons. It is my hope that they will consider the military as a viable option.
I met so many amazing people, visited numerous places all over the world, earned money for college, and was able to set my sails.
Chart your own course.
Veteran's Name: Tonya Hanrahan
Branch of service: United States Army
Veteran's Current Position: Special Education Teacher at Rock Island High School
Veteran's Reflection on Service: I joined the Army Reserves at 17 years old, following in the footsteps of my Dad, who was a Chief Warrant Officer in the Army. Knowing that I wanted to become an officer, I enrolled at NIU, DeKalb, IL, which had a distinguished ROTC program and was close to my reserve unit, the 339th MP Company, Davenport, IA.
I received my commission as a Military Police Officer in 1991 at the age of 21 and served for 13 years as both a Platoon Leader and Commander of a platoon and company. I am honored to have served this great country and to have met many patriotic, loyal, dedicated and selfless people throughout my career.
May we always keep our soldiers in our hearts and prayers as they continue to protect our freedoms!
Veteran's Name: Ambr Ruby
Branch of service: United States Army Reserves
Veteran's Current Position: Special Education Instructor's Aide at Earl Hanson Elementary
Veteran's Name: Tim Sanders
Branch of service: United States Army
Veteran's Current Position: Teacher at Thomas Jefferson Elementary
Veteran's Name: Steve Vandewalle
Branch of service: United States Army
Veteran's Current Position: Teacher at Thurgood Marshall Learning Center
Veteran's Reflection on Service: I was proud to enlist and serve our country in the U.S. Army. It gave me a chance to see and experience things I would have never had the opportunity to have had I not enlisted. It taught me the power of a united team with a common mission.
I believe my experience as a soldier impacts me in a positive way every day when I walk into my classroom. I strive to teach and inspire our scholars that there is so much more inside!