933rd MP Co. Family Readiness Group
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March/April 2004 Newsletter
Illinois National Guard State Family Readiness Conference
Next Family Readiness Group Meeting
The 15th Annual Illinois National Guard State Family Readiness Conference will be held April 23-25, 2004 at the Chancellor Hotel and Convention Center in Champaign, IL.  The address is 1501 South Neil Street.  All members of the Family Readiness Group are invited to attend this conference.  The registration fee is $25.  Application forms must be received by the Family Readiness Program
1301 North MacArthur Blvd, Camp Lincoln, Springfield, IL 62702-2399
no later than April 1, 2004.
Forms can be downloaded by going to the following website:
www.il.ngb.army.mil
click on Family Readiness and then go to Volunteer Information.  Attendees must make their own reservations at the hotel by 4/1/04.  Rooms are $69.00 per night plus tax, mention the NGAI/Family Readiness Conference.
If you have a question, please contact MAJ Jim Johnson at 800-832-9225 or SFC Kelly Holdman at 217-761-3622.
As we prepare for the return of our unit, you won't want to miss our next family meeting.  Although we still don't have a firm return date, it does seem to be getting closer.  In preparation of their return, we have several representatives scheduled to meet with family members of the 933rd to discuss issues of demobilizing.  Some of those issues may be reestablishing family duties, easing into everyday activities, understanding feelings, dealing with soldiers' experiences and many more.  Please make every effort to attend this meeting.  Updated information directily related to our unit's homecoming will be discussed at this meeting.
This meeting will be held on
Saturday, April 3, 2004
at 10:00 a.m.
at The Donnelly Armory
1910 South Calumet Avenue
Chicago, IL 60616
We hope you can make this meeting.  It may be an enlightening one for all of us.
Another 933rd MP is Awarded

Recently, the parents of Sgt. Jose Arreguin received an email message from their son.  The following is an excerpt of the message he sent to his
This is just in, hot off the press!!!
The 504th MP Battalion recently held an award ceremony in Iraq for the 933rd MP Company.  At this ceremony several other soldiers were awarded medals for meritorious achievement during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Additional Bronze Star Medals were awarded to:
SGT Hodgson, John D.
SGT Reyes, Javier
SPC Walsh, Sean M.
Army Commendation Medals were awarded to 65 soldiers of the 933rd.
504th MP Battalion Certificates of Achievement and Battalion Coins were awarded to 146 soldiers.
Additonally, all soldiers were awarded the 220th MP Brigade and 16th MP Brigade Combat Patches.
The following awards were presented in addition to previous soldier awards for achievement.  They are as follow:
Purple Heart for combat injuries:
SPC Ramsey, Brandon
Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement during
Operation Iraqi Freedom:
SPC Dexter, James
SSG Padilla, Rolando
SPC Ramsey, Brandon
Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device for Heroism for meritorious achievement during Operaton Iraqi Freedom:
SGT Arreguin, Javier
Army Commendation Medal for meritorious achieement during Operation Iraqi Freedom:
SPC Studyvin, Mark A.
SPC Torres, Claudio
SGT Waller, Todd
Congratulations to all of the awardees!
We are very proud of all of our 933rd MP Company Soldiers!!!
parents.  "...anyways, Friday was a big day for me.  I got pulled from my regular convoy security missions the prior night and was told I would be heading up north for another mission, so like every day I got up and got the hummer packed by 0400 hrs (4:00 a.m.), ad started the 3 hour drive north with my platton leader, platoon sergeant, and squad leader.  All they told me was that our mission for the day would be revealed when we got up there.  When we finally arrived, there were hundreds of people there standing in formation.  I fell into formation when all of the sudden I heard "Sgt. Arreguin Post!"  I was confused because I couldn't imagine why a Lt. Colonel would call me out, but when he calls for you, you just run and ask no questions, so I did.  When I got up to him, I was pinned with the Army Commendation Medal with Valor!!!  I realize you guys might not be familiar with it, but the Army Commendation Medal is a very big deal.  I think only about 8 people in the battalion were awarded with anything with Valor!, and I was the only one awarded in my company.  I receied it for saving my gunner's life in September when my team was involved in a roll over accident.  It was pretty awesome!  Well, I just wanted to share my big day with all of you guys.  Javier."  Congratulations, Sgt. Javier Arreguin on a job well done.  Best wishes to you and your family.  We are all very proud that you are one of our very own.
For Your Information
Please don't forget to check us out online. Our website address is:
http://geocities.com/militarypolice933rd
If you would like additional information regarding this website, please contact:
Adriana Vargas at 773-251-6305

Although our soldiers will be returning home soon, this information may be helpful to families and friends who still have someone deployed.  The United States Postal Service is offerinjg free materials to spouses and families of military members who are deployed overseas.  To take advantage of this service call: 1-800-610-8734 and choose option "0" and ask the operator to send you free boxes, tape, custom forms and mailing labels.  These products are to be used to mail care packages to service members.

Zachary Moss, son of SGT Devon Moss, will be playing pee wee hockey at the Chicago Wolves game in Rosemont on April 3, 2004 at 3:00 p.m.  Tickets are $12.00.  For additional information or for tickets, please contact:  Mrs. Tinessa Moss at 708-647-0136.  Good Luck, Zachary!
As with all of our newsletters, we like to send our soldiers special birthday greetings which are submitted to us by their families and friends.

Rose Anne Amaya sends a very special birthday wish to SPC Gino Maldonado who is celebrating his 20th birthday in March.

Edith Avila sends her soldier CPL Jaime Avila a very special birthday greeting.  CPL Avila's birthday was on February 14th.

Special birthday greetings go out to SPC Raphael Davis from his mom and dad.  SPC Davis celebrated his 24th birthday on March 6th.  His parents send him all their love.

Belated Happy Birthday wishes go out to George "Chief" Gandara who celebrated a birthday in early March.  Best wishes from the FRG.

Belated Happy Birthday wishes for SGT Bill Parzyszek and SGT Tiffany Tinker who celebrated their birthdays in February.
We would also like to express our gratitude to the following for their support of our unit and the FRG.

A very special thank you goes out to Sandy and Mike Dexter for securing a very generous donation for the FRG from the Ladies Auxiliary of the Bartlett Fire Department.

Special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Ed Vaughn and Kopico Printing for their continued support of the FRG by printing this newsletter.
"COMING HOME"
The following information is from a pamphlet provided at our last FRG meeting regarding the return of a soldier.  Some of the information provided may be helpful in ensuring a successful homecoming and readjustment.

Waht to expect when the Service member comes home:
-  It is normal to feel nervous and anxious about the homecoming.  You may wonder whether your spouse will "Like the way I look?"  "Like what I've done with the house?"  "Be proud of me for how I've handled things?"  "Still need me?"  "Still love me?"
-  Plan for homecoming day.  After homecoming, make an agreement with your spouse on the schedule for the next few days or weeks.  Where do the children, parents, extended family members, or friends fit in?
-  Realize the day of homcoming is very stressful.  You and your spouse may not have slept much and may be worn out from preparations.
-  COMMUNICATE!  Talk about how you feel - nervous, scared, happy, that you loved and missed them.  LIsten to each other.  The best way to get through the reacquaintance jitters, regain closeness, and renegotiate your roles in the family by talking and actively listening.
-  Your fantasies and expectations about how life will be uponb return may be just fantasies.  Be prepared to be flexible.
-  Be calm and assertive, not defensive when discussing decisions you have made, new family activities and custons, or methods of disciplining the children.
-  Your spouse may need to hear that it wasn't the same doing these things alone, that you're glad he/she's back, and that you'd like to discuss problems and criticisms calmly.
-  You both have been use to doing what you wanted during personal time.  Feeling like you need some space is normal.

What to expect from your Children:
-  Children may be feeling the same confusing things you and your spouse feel - worry, fear, stress, happiness, excitement.  Depending on their age, they may not understand how your spouse could leave them if he/she really loved him.
-  They may be unsure of what to expect from your spouse.  They may feel uncomfortable or think ofhim/her as a stranger.
-  It's hard for children to control their excitement.  Let them give and get the attention they need from the returning parent before you try to have quiet time alone with your spouse.
-  Prepare children for homecoming with activities, photographs, participating in preparations, talking about dad and mom.
-  Children are excited and tend to act out.  Accept and discuss these physical, attitudiinal, mental, emotional changes.  Plan time as a couple and as a family with the children.
-  Stay involved with your children's school and social activities.

Remember...

Go slowly - don't try to make up for lost time

Accept that your partner may be different.

Take time to get reacquainted.

Seek help for maily member, if needed.
Webmaster:
Name:   Adriana Vargas
Email:   [email protected]
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

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