Homecoming Set for June 15 for Fort Sheridan-Based National Guard Unit
CHICAGO, IL (06/13/2013)(readMedia)-- Approximately 130 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers who served in Afghanistan will return home this weekend. The 933rd Military Police Company (MP) based at Fort Sheridan will have their homecoming ceremony at 7:30 a.m. June 15 at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago (see directions below).
The unit was mobilized Aug. 7, 2012 and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The company worked with Special Forces troops in Afghanistan; therefore much of their mission is classified. 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 will see their infants for the first time at their homecoming ceremony.
"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."
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. It was 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.
News media attending the event should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. Please contact the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) Media Relations Office at (773) 686-3700 if you plan to cover the event. For more information call the Public Affairs Office at 217-761-3569 or email us at ng.il.ilarng.list.staff-pao@
Directions: Intersection of Patton Drive and Schlitz Road at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago is the ceremony location.
The easiest way to get there is exit to O'Hare toward the main terminal and go toward the rental car return area. The rental car return area is on Bessie Coleman Drive, which runs north and south and visitors will be traveling north. A large salt dome is on the intersection of Schlitz and Bessie Coleman. Turn left onto Schlitz.
