Ill. Nat'l Guard Recognized for Sacrifice in Operation Enduring Freedom

Post submitted by the Illinois National Guard

Approximately 130 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers will be recognized Oct. 12 by the National Guard Bureau Freedom Salute Campaign for their sacrifice and service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). The ceremony for the 933rd Military Police Company based in Fort Sheridan, IL will be at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, IL. The event will be at Nichols Hall starting at 10 a.m.

The unit mobilized Aug. 7, 2012 and deployed to Afghanistan in support of OEF.

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

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

The 933rd also mobilized from February 2003 to July 2004, becoming one of the first Illinois Army National Guard units to be deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Freedom Salute Campaign is a small way to show these patriotic citizen-Soldiers, their families and employers how much their sacrifice is appreciated. On behalf of the National Guard Bureau, the Illinois Army National Guard will present each eligible Soldier with an encased American flag, as well as a sequentially-numbered

commemorative coin, certificate of appreciation and lapel pin. Families will also receive items recognizing their support and sacrifice.

The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest Army National Guard recognition endeavors in history. It is designed to publicly acknowledge Army National Guard Soldiers and those who supported them while deployed.

For more information, visit the Illinois National Guard Facebook page.