NEW WINDSOR, NY (11/19/2009)(readMedia)-- The United States Army Reserve and the New York Army National Guard will dedicate the new Armed Forces Reserve Center they share near Stewart International Airport, in honor of Army Reserve Sgt. Catalin Dan Dima, a Romanian immigrant who died in action in Iraq in 2004.

WHO: Major General William Monk III, commander of the Army Reserve's 99th Regional Support Command; family members of Sgt. Catalin Dima; state Sen. William Larkin; and representatives of the New York Army National Guard and United States Army Reserve.

WHAT: A ceremony dedicating the 75,000 square foot, $20.4 million Reserve Center in honor of Sgt. Dima, a member of the 411th Engineer Brigade who was killed in a mortar attack in Baghdad in November 2004. Members of the media will be able to tour the new facility which is home to the Army Reserve's 411th Engineer Brigade and the New York Army National Guard's A Battery,1st Battalion 258th Field Artillery and 1569th Transportation Co.

WHEN: 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 2009.

WHERE: 930 Raz Avenue, New Windsor, New York

Coverage Opportunities:

Imagery of the dedication ceremony which will feature a color guard and members of the Dima family .There will be opportunities to speak with the Dima family about Sgt. Dima. A tour of the facility will be available and there will be a chance to speak with members of the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard about their units and the new facility.

BACKGROUND:

Sgt. Catalin Dan Dima:

Catalin Dan Dima was born on 13 June 1968 in Calarasi, Romania. He served with the Romanian Navy before leaving his native country in April of 1996. He came to New York to begin a new life and on 6 August 1997 he married Florika Zgrda.

Shorty after September 11, 2001 Dima decided to join the U.S. Army. His love for his new country and the opportunities available were not passing notions, nor did he take his freedom for granted. He knew that freedom had a price. He joined the U.S Army Reserve in October 2001. At the same time he was assigned to the Construction Management Section, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 411th Engineer Brigade. He attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where he completed training as an Administrative Specialist.

In January 2004, Dima mobilized with the Construction Management Section in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On 3 January 2004 he reported to the Army Reserve Center in New Windsor, NY andon 6 January he went with the rest of his section to Fort Drum, NY for validation training. In February 2004 he deployed to Iraq.

Embedded in Dima's goals and dreams for his life in the United States was the desire to become a United States Citizen. Entering the U.S. Army was one way to begin the journey to attain this goal. In October 2004, at a ceremony held in Iraq, Dima was awarded his U.S. citizenship.

In November 2004, Dima received his promotion orders to Sergeant. He was promoted with an effective date of 16 October 2004. Dima was very proud of becoming a Non-Commissioned Officer. On 13 November, the day that he pinned on his new rank, Dima was killed during a mortar attack on his base camp, Camp Victory, Iraq.

On his civilian capacity, Dima worked as a truck driver for a pet supply company in New Jersey. He was known as a hard-working family man, generous with his time and talents for those in needs and possessing a vibrant sense of humor.

Dima's military decorations include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon.

Dima is survived by his wife, three children (Christian, Angela and John), his mother and brother.

New Windsor Armed Forces Reserve Center:

The Armed Forces Reserve Center, occupied in August, incorporates administrative and storage space for the 411th Engineer Brigade of the United States Army Reserve and A Battery 1st Battalion 258th Field Artillery and the 1569th Transportation Company of the New York Army National Guard. The $20.4 million building has been recognized for its energy efficient design.

The main building is 75,000 square feet and the maintenance facility constitutes another 25,000 square feet. The facility site is 14.7 acres.

The joint use of the Reserve Center by both the Army Reserve and Army National Guard is a step forward in sharing resources between the Army's two reserve components and saving taxpayer dollars. The 411th Eng. Bde moved out of an older Reserve Center into this new state-of-the-art facility, while the two Army National Guard units were able to move out of the 1930's era Newburgh Armory. Both the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard are seeking to move Soldiers out of older, less efficient facilities into new operating space.

411th Engineer Brigade:

The 411th Engineer Brigade exists as a command for the wartime missions. The Brigade can expect to command and control a minimum of 2 Groups and numerous battalions and engineer support units from all components of the Army. There are 9 battalions and 2 groups under the current plan. Numerous other Fire Fighting units, Utilities Detachments, Bridge units, Pipeline and Construction Support Companies can also be commanded by the brigade.The Brigade's Soldiers are currently preparing to deploy to Iraq once again.

A Battery, 1st Battalion 258th Field Artillery:

A Battery is one of two firing batteries of the New York Army National Guard's 1st Battalion 258th Field Artillery, known as the "Washington Gray's" because a predecessor unit once was the bodyguard for Gen. George Washington. Equipped with the M-119 105 millimeter howitzer, the 258th provides fire support for the National Guard's 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Members of the 258th deployed to Iraq in 2004 to train members of the Iraqi Army and Police.

1569th Transportation Company:

The 1569th Transportation Company exists to move the supplies that enable the Army to keep fighting. The Soldiers operate the M1088 FMTV ( Family of Medium Tactical Vehicle ) Trucks. The unit's Soldiers served in Iraq in 2005.

Major General William Monk III:

Major General William Monk III presently serves as the Commanding General of the 99th Regional Support Command headquartered at Fort Dix, NJ. His command is responsible to provide administrative, logistical, and facilities management support for more than 46,000 Army Reserve Soldiers in 439 units, 328 reserve centers and 33 maintenance facilities located in the 13 states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

MG Monk's 32-year Army career has spanned the full spectrum of operational and staff assignments, and he has commanded at all levels from platoon to division and beyond.

In 2002, he was selected as the Assistant Division Commander for Support, 98th Division (Institutional Training) headquartered in Rochester, NY. In 2003, Monk was selected for promotion to brigadier general and the dual assignment of Commander, 1st Brigade (BCST) and Assistant Division Commander of the 78th Division (TS). In May 2006, he assumed the job of commander of the 78 78th Division (TS). On Sept. 16, 2006, MG Monk was promoted to the rank of major general and assigned to his current position of Commanding General of the 99th Regional Support Command.

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Posted Thursday November 19, 2009 at 09:01 am by New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs
Last Updated Thursday August 26, 2010 at 09:30 am