Gov. Pat Quinn is heading to Germany next month to visit U.S. troops.
Quinn announced Monday he is scheduled to leave Dec. 22 and visit the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center to deliver holiday cards to wounded soldiers.
The governor has asked schoolchildren around the state to make cards as part of the Illinois' Heroes holiday card drive.
Quinn also plans to visit the Ramstein Air Base in Germany before heading home before Christmas.
Spokeswoman Marlena Jentz said the state was not paying for the governor's trip.
Quinn talked about his travel plans after lighting a state Christmas tree at the Thompson Center in Chicago.
The governor visited soldiers and military leaders in Iraq and Afghanistan during a week-long visit in July.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
