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There are a number of rumors circulating regarding the 933rd's homecoming date. We have been given a tentative time schedule for redeployment. While the I cannot post the dates here, I can tell you that we are scheduled to hand off operations to our replacing unit in mid-March and move to our departure point at the end of March. We have been given a date in mid-April as our "available load date." This is the EARLIEST possible date we could fly back to the mobilization station. In other words, the Army looks for a flight for us on or after this date.
However, everyone must keep two things in mind. First, this is the first time in the history of the U.S. Army that a rotational operation has been attempted on such a large scale. Over 100,000 soldiers will be arriving in theater during the same three months that over 100,000 are scheduled to leave. Hence, there are bound to be unforeseen delays and scheduling snafus.
Secondly, we cannot redeploy until we have completed a set of requirements to depart theater. We cannot begin to work on these requirements until we have been relieved from our mission. Our relief depends on when the unit replacing us gets into theater and is ready to begin accepting missions.
In short, redeployment will be very fluid. Nothing is firm. I have advised our soldiers that they should plan on being back at the mobilization station some time near the end of April. We are unlikely to know the exact date until a few days before we fly out. As soon as I know, you will know. Until then, you may rely upon the FRG for information.
Thank you all for your tremendous support. We could not do what we do without you.
Take care and God Bless.
Captain, Illinois Army National Guard
933rd Military Police Company (Combat Support)
Commanding
ANYTIME, ANYPLACE!
Saturday, February 21, 2004
at 10:00 a.m.
at The Donnelly Armory
1910 South Calumet Avenue
Chicago, IL 60616
Several issues will be discussed during this meeting, including preliminary preparations for our soldiers' homecoming. Our guest speaker will be General Thomas. He will speak about his trip to Iraq and his visit with the soldiers of the 933rd. We hope you can attend this meeting. We would appreciate it if you could RSVP your attendance by 2/17/04
via e-mail at: [email protected]
or by phone at 847-875-7702
Sgt. Rolando Padilla has received the Bronze Star. The following is a summary of the narrative which was provided for the recommendation that he should receive this award. "Sgt. Rolando Padilla is recommended for the Bronze Star for repeated acts of meritorious service above and beyond the call of duty while assigned as a military police soldier in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On three separate occasions, Sgt. Padilla's quick thinking, prompt actions and leadership were determinative in life and death situations on Main Supply Route Tampa. In each of these situations, Sgt. Padilla used his military training to peak advantage with outstanding results. On May 11, 2003, Sgt. Padilla's team responded to a civilian traffic accident. Two Iraqi civilians were critically hurt during the accident, one with life-threatening head injury. Sgt. Padilla directed and performed triage, called for air imedical evacutation, and treated the Iraqis until the dust-off helicopter arrived. Army physicians with the 86th Combat Support Hospital later informed this command that Sgt. Padilla's actions as a first responder stabilized the Iraqi patient with the head injury long enough for them to save the patient's life. In addition, Sgt. Padilla's team responded to a military traffic accident involving a head-on collision between a Heavy Equipment Trailer and a HMMWV. Sgt Padilla again directed and performed triage, called air medical evacuation and treated the soldiers until help arrived. After the casualties were evacuated, Sgt. Padilla remained on the scene supervising traffic control post for over four hours. The responding Army Surgical Evacuation Team later informed this command that Sgt. Padilla's actions as a first responder stabilized one of the soldiers long enough for Army physicians to save his life. In August of 2003, again Sgt. Padilla responded to vehicle rollover. He took charge of the scene, restored order and calmly directed the extraction of one of the soldiers trapped in the vehicle. Sgt. Padilla treated and stabilized the injured soldier until the ground ambulance arrived. His poise and leadership under the most stressful of combat conditions were key to the rescue of his injured comrade. U.S. Air Force physicians later informed the command that Sgt. Padilla's treatment provided the soldier's injuries from becoming life threatening. In each of the above situations, Sgt. Padilla's skill, courage and leadership were absolutely vital to mission success."
Congratulations Sgt. Rolando Padilla!
Special Birthday wishes are being sent out to PFC Jason Paladie who is celebrating his 21st birthday on February 1st. His Mom, Dad, Brother, family and friends all send him best wishes and all their love. Have a great birthday and God Bless.
Special wishes go out to SPC Michael Rutkowski. Michael turned 21 years old on January 27th. His Mom, Brother Julian, and Girlfriend Jen send all their love.
Special wishes go out to SGT Alan Callendo who celebrated his 34th birthday on January 24th. His Mom, Dad, and his family send him all their love and best wishes.
Special wishes go out to CPL Jaime Avila who will be celebrating his birthday on February 14th. His family and friends wish him a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
We would also like to send Happy Birthday wishes to the following soldiers who have recently celebrated a birthday:
SGT Jorge Cervantes, SPC Thomas Cleary,
SPC Nicholas McCord, SGT Jose Mendez,
SSG James Owen, SPC Fernando Reyes,
SPC Armando Rios, SPC Johnny Rivera,
SPC Roman Ricardo, SPC Jason Shurtleff,
and SPC Tiffany Wiliams.
Best Wishes to you all and God Bless.
On a different note, the sons of CPL Devon Moss, Devon Jr. and Zachary, will be playing in a very special Pee Wee hockey game on April 3rd, 2004 prior to The Wolves Game scheduled for that day. They are part of the "Midgets" Pee Wee Hockey Team. We wish them the best of luck.
Special thanks to Pat Turffs for the childrens' christmas stockings she contributed.
We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to Mrs. Yolanda Resendez for the great deal of time and effort she put forth in organizing our FRG 2003 Christmas Party. A good time was enjoyed by all who attended, thanks to all those who volunteered their time and effort to help share the Christmas spirit with the families of our soldiers.
Special thanks go out to Mrs. Maureen Orrico for the tremendous job she did entertaining the children who attended the party with the Arts and Crafts table.
Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Roy Klimzak for volunteering their time and talents as Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus at our FRG 2003 Christmas Party.
Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Petitt, Ms. Terry Cerda, Mr. and Mrs. Dominick Gottardo, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Gottardo, Mrs. Norma Prevenas, and Mr. and Mrs. Michalski, family members of SFC Daniel Faczek, for the Christmas stockings they sent over to the soldiers of the 933rd during the holidays.
Thanks to the Village of Rosemont, KidStart, YouthNet 16, Rosemont School, Einstein Elementary School, Guidepost Ministry, Brownie Troop-Maryland, Maureen Dieball, Zurich Insurance and Doreen Dutcher-Guillory, for their continued support of the 933rd MPs.
Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Ed Vaughn and Kopico Printing for their continued support in printing this newsletter.
Of course we would like to thanks all of the family members of the soldiers of the 933rd who work so hard organizing special events, keep us informed, and troubleshooting for all of us.
Thank you for all that you do!
The Army Surgeon General has established an e-mail service to provide assistance to TRICARE beneficiaries and others who need services. The program is called THEMS (TRICARE Help E-mail Service). THEMS staff members will answer your questions or refer your case to another TRICARE professional at a military hospital, TRICARE contractor, or Lead Agent. Most questions are answered within 1 to 2 business days of receipt of the e-mail. All you need to use the service is an e-mail address through a commercial source, your computer at work, Army Knowledge Online, or any other portal into the Internet. You can reach them by sending an e-mail to:
TRICARE [email protected]
The address is not case sensitive. In addition to e-mail responses, THEMS publishes a monthly newsletter with topics of interest to our beneficiaries. This is the link to the newsletter:
http://www.cs.amedd.army.mil/thems/thems.asp
THEMS can also assist in getting TRICARE CD-ROMs, Soldier Information Cards, and other useful and informative products. Just send an e-mail request to THEMS indicating the type, quantity, and mailing address to which requested materials should be sent. They are available to help at any time of the day from any location on the globe.
Name: Adriana Vargas
Email: [email protected]