City of Chicago Passes Resolution Honoring Returning Illinois National Guard Military Police Company

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CHICAGO (07/24/2013)(readMedia)-- The City of Chicago City Council passed a resolution honoring the returning members of the Illinois Army National Guard's 933rd Military Police (MP) Company at City Hall, July 24.

The Fort Sheridan based unit mobilized Aug. 7, 2012, and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and returned home June 15.

"The deployment was successful because of the great American Soldiers in the 933rd Military Police Company," said Capt. Thomas Gilligan of Bolingbrook, 933rd commander. "These Soldiers selflessly gave up the comfort of their homes to defend freedom in a foreign land far away from their families and friends. We will forever be grateful."

James A. Balcer, Alderman of the 11th Ward and a Vietnam veteran, sponsored the resolution.

According to the resolution, "the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council...salute the brave men and women Soldiers of the 933rd Military Police Company of the Illinois National Guard and extend our warmest welcome back from the harsh realities of combat to be enfolded into the loving arms of their families and embraced by their grateful communities."

The company worked with Special Forces troops in Afghanistan; therefore much of their mission is classified. The 933rd Soldiers were spread across four remote combat posts in Afghanistan completing missions such as guard operations and prison escort.

Six Soldiers earned Bronze Stars, 76 troops earned Army Commendation Medals, 42 earned the Army Achievement Medals and 19 Soldiers received Combat Action Badges.

During their deployment, 10 Soldiers missed the birth of their babies and saw their infants for the first time at their homecoming ceremony.

The 933rd is relatively new to the Fort Sheridan community. In late 2010, the unit moved from Waukegan to a new $30 million readiness center at Fort Sheridan, which offers more opportunities for state-of-the-art training.

The 933rd was one of the first Illinois National Guard units deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and mobilized from February 2003 to July 2004. The unit also has a proud history of service with mobilizations in support of Desert Storm in 1990 and fighting in the Pacific alongside Gen. Douglas MacArthur in the Philippines that earned a unit award for gallantry from the Philippine President for serving from 1943 to 1945. Soldiers in the 933rd also fought in World War I, earning a unit award for bravery and honor in battle in 1918.

Photo 1: U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Dustin Cammack, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ (From left in uniform) Sgt. First Class Sean Harris of Highland Park, Sgt. Ryan Kern of Naperville, and Capt. Thomas Gilligan of Bolingbrook, were honored at the reading of a resolution welcoming home the Soldiers of the Illinois Army National Guard's 933rd Military Police (MP) Company at Chicago City Hall, July 24. The Fort Sheridan based unit mobilized Aug. 7, 2012, and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and was honored at a homecoming ceremony June 15, 2013 at O'Hare International Airport. In the resolution, Alderman James Balcer, 11th Ward (second from left), Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and members of the City Council paid tribute to the brave men and women of the 933rd MP Company and extended a "welcome home" to the Soldiers and families of the 933rd.

Photo 2: U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Dustin Cammack, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ Capt. Thomas Gilligan of Bolingbrook and Sgt. Ryan Kern of Naperville pose with the resolution presented to the Illinois Army National Guard's 933rd Military Police (MP) Company at Chicago City Hall by Alderman James Balcer, 11th Ward, and the Chicago City Council, July 24. The Fort Sheridan based unit mobilized Aug. 7, 2012 and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and was honored at a homecoming ceremony June 15, 2013 at O'Hare International Airport. In the resolution, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Balcer and members of the City Council paid tribute to the brave men and women of the 933rd MP Company and extended a "welcome home" to the Soldiers and families of the 933rd.