General Major Rodney Boyd becomes the first person of color to command the Illinois National Guard

CHATHAM, Ill. (WAND) - General Major Rodney Boyd was welcomed as the first person of color to command the Illinois National Guard.

General Major Richard Neely was the Adjutant General for 40 years when he passed the baton to Boyd.

"It's been a very rewarding time to be the adjutant general. Not only watching the organization grow and just really set some incredible records but continue to watch troops deploy around the world. Many people don't realize that we're still deploying soldiers and airmen all over the world." said Neely.

Boyd's family and friends celebrated him as he accepted the position with Governor J.B. Pritzker at his side.

"It just means that somewhere some young person of color will look and say I can do that because seeing is believing and seeing me take charge of this great organization as the first person of color to do it just speaks volumes of where we are as a state and where we are as a nation." said Boyd.

Boyd also became the highest ranking person of color in the history of the Illinois National Guard in February when he received his second star as a Major General. Now, he plans to continue serving the state of Illinois in the best way he knows how.

"To put together a great premier fighting force which is what it's all about so that we can respond to our state emergencies as well as our nation's emergencies. That is my main focus." stated Boyd.