A U.S. Army veteran who retired from the state House in 2011 has been named "Veteran of the Month" for November by the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs.

The department honored Ronald Stephens during a ceremony Wednesday at his hometown of Greenville.

The award is bestowed on veterans who continue to serve their communities after leaving the military.

Department Director Erica Borggren says Stephens' life has been "defined by his service to others."

She notes he served in Vietnam and was then elected to 13 terms in the Illinois House. She says he continues to dedicate significant time to veteran initiatives in southern Illinois.

Stephens served in the Army from 1969 to 1971 as paratrooper. He came under enemy fire and suffered wounds to the head, arm, shoulder and hand.