Herald News

Over There: OCP celebrates 10 years of helping those who serve

Sun, 12 May 2013 13:10:34 -0500

This March marked the 10th year anniversary of Operation Care Package. OCP is an all volunteer, not-for-profit organization formed in March 2003 by Debbie Smothers, Debbie Durawa and Pat Curran. Smothers has a brother, David Bishop, an Army Green Beret for 19 years who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and many other countries. Durawa’s son, Matthew Zwolinski, and Curran’s son, Joe Curran, both serve in the Army and were both deployed to Iraq. Smothers recalls, “Our first three packages were mailed to my brother’s friends the first part of April 2003 when he informed me they would not receive mail. From …

Over There: Minooka graduate returns to U.S. from service

Sun, 05 May 2013 14:17:20 -0500

Army Spec. Elizabeth M. Albert returned to the U.S. after a deployment overseas at a forward operating base to serve in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Operating Enduring Freedom is the official name given to anti-terrorism military operations involving U.S. troops and allied coalition partners. Active duty and reserve component members from all branches of service have been deployed to support the war against global terrorism outside the borders of the United States. U.S. troops serve in South, Southwest and Central Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, the Horn of Africa, Islands in the Pacific and Europe. Albert is a mechanic assigned …

Over There: World War II vet one of the generation’s heroes

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:52:40 -0500

Clarence Hambrick is a well-loved combat veteran who served in the Army during World War II in the China-Burma Theater. Hambrick enlisted July 8, 1944, and he entered cavalry basic training as a private. Excelling in his training and marksmanship, he received advanced training to become a rifleman instructor. With additional training, he became a military policeman and private first class. After completing the required training, he served overseas for 17 months in China, India and Burma as a part of Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 475th Infantry. During his time in India, he was assigned to guard the U.S. Embassy …

Over There: Help is available for war veterans

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:30:32 -0500

We must not forget the sacrifices our veterans have made to keep our country safe. To that end, Robert Hart of the American Association for Wartime Veterans will present a free informational seminar titled “Aid and Attendance” at 7 p.m. Tuesday at The Timbers of Shorewood, 1100 N. River Road. Hart will explain the benefits available to qualifying veterans, widowed spouses or disabled adult children. Once awarded Aid and Attendance or Housebound status, veterans can obtain as much as $1,732 a month, surviving spouses $1,113 a month and existing couples $2,054 a month. In addition to income, veterans and their …

Over There: Marines complete challenging team-leader course

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 06:06:50 -0500

It was a chilly, late January day. Two Marines using a defense-advanced GPS receiver worked their way through the Cherry Point Carolina pines in North Carolina. Cpl. Adam Mastrogiovanni of Joliet and Lance Cpl. Larry Holmes, gunners with the 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, knew they were on track when they spotted an ammo can near a riverbank. It was the first of four they needed to find to complete their land navigation exercise. Mastrogiovanni and Holmes were students in the battalion’s 13-day team-leader course. The course was designed to be mentally challenging and provide team leaders with the …

Over There: New agency aids veterans

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 06:03:32 -0500

Bounce Back Social Services, 1256 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, a not-for-profit organization, opened its doors for business Feb. 23 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The purpose of the charitable organization is to provide assistance to military veterans, military dependents (women, men and children) and any people suffering from life’s circumstances and needing assistance. Its sole mission is to provide direct support for military veterans, their families, women, infants and children of the general public with services that will help them to restore and recover from life issues and circumstances. “The vision began one Sunday, while I was sitting at church as …

Over There: Man promoted in U.S. Air Force

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 06:11:41 -0500

Congratulations to John K. Reed, son of Sandy L. Reed of Morris, who was promoted to chief master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. Reed is a fuels manager assigned to the 38th Wing at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. He has served in the military for 23 years. He is the brother of Edward R. Reed of Channahon. Home from deployment Army Staff Sgt. Jason Zavodny, son of Mark and Jenny Zavodny of Romeoville, returned to the United States after being deployed overseas at a forward operating base to serve in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Zavodny is an …

Over There: Dad’s medal completes collection

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 06:07:05 -0500

Dr. Tom Streitz, a retired dentist from Joliet, finally received his late father’s Silver Star. When Streitz’s dad died, he could not find this medal, so he decided to order it to place in his dad’s ribbon collection. It took him nearly six months to receive this medal. Richard E. Streitz served in the U.S. Army during World War I with Headquarters Battalion, 16th Infantry. He received the Silver Star for distinguished and exceptional gallantry during the Argonne offensive in 1918. During combat, he received shrapnel in his back. Tom Streitz served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean …

Over There: Pilot films ‘Top Gear’ scenes

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:28:47 -0500

Army Warrant Officer Nathanael Greene of Joliet had the opportunity to pilot one of the Kiowa Helicopters filmed in the program “Top Gear” that aired Feb. 5 on the History Channel. The filming was of scenes of the OH-58 Kiowa helicopter from the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) attempting to trap stunt driver and “Top Gear” host Tanner Faust during a “cat-and-mouse” chase scenario in a secured Fort Campbell, Ky., training area. The show crew staged other elements of the 101st to include all-terrain vehicles and soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade …

Over There: Army vet pleased with service from the VA

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 07:04:02 -0500

Floyd Garrett of Elwood likes the service he receives from the Glenwood Veterans Administration in Joliet and also at the Manteno and Hines medical facilities. “I am called twice a year to the VA for lab work and doctor reviews for lab work. The really take good care of the veterans. Their staff is very good and do a great job,” he said. Garrett adds there’s a nice Manteno Veterans Hospital and transportation is provided for veterans to and from Joliet and even to Hines VA for medication and further treatments. Garrett is a U.S. Army veteran who served after …

Over There: U.S. Navy petty officer returns from overseas

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 06:18:58 -0500

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Petronio, the son of Joseph and Diane Petronio of New Lenox, returned from an eight-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, which completed her 25th and final deployment after 51 years of service. This was Petronio’s second deployment on the Enterprise, where he served as the lead petty officer for the ship’s machine repair shop. While on deployment, Petronio earned his Air Warfare pin and also received his second Navy and Marine Achievement medal. Petronio has served 4.5 years of his five-year enlistment and plans …

Over There: Local Vietnam vet who served on rifle squad dies

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 06:15:40 -0500

U.S. Army veteran John J. Krokar passed away peacefully on Nov. 30, at home following a brief illness. His loving companion, Diana Schmitt, was at his side. During Krokar’s military service, he was assigned to a rifle squad while serving with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry, 199th Light Infantry Brigade (Separate) during the Vietnam War. The 199th Infantry Brigade “Redcatchers” is one of the most overlooked and underrated U.S. infantry units to serve during the Vietnam War. The 199th LIB was not at any time in its history associated with any of the other brigades that fought valiantly with …

Over There: Man promoted to staff sergeant

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:01:48 -0500

Congratulations to Daniel Banas, who was promoted in August to staff sergeant in the U.S. Army. Banas is the son of proud parents Thomas and Patricia Banas of Channahon. Prior to serving in the Army, Banas has also served a four-year tour in the U.S. Marine Corps. After being out of the service for several years, Banas attempted to re-enlist with the Marines, but there was no military occupation specialty available in his field of training, so he decided to join the Army, where his specialty was available. He is currently stationed in Wahiawa, Hawaii, with the 25th Infantry Division. …

Over There: Army captain visits home for the holidays

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 06:36:12 -0500

Home for the holidays from Dec. 18 to 27 was U.S. Army Capt. Matthew D. Davis, son of Ann Marie and John Davis of Joliet. Davis graduated from West Point, where he was commissioned as an officer and had to serve a five-year commitment in the armed forces. He enlisted in May 2005. He is currently stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Davis has gone on two deployments. He was first deployed to northern Iraq for 15 months from 2006 to 2007 and served as a commissioned engineer officer. On his second deployment, he served nine months in Afghanistan …

Over There: Local residents join Air Force

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 06:04:40 -0500

Several local heroes have joined the U.S. Air Force. They have all have worked hard, earning their respect in wearing the uniform for this wonderful country we live in. More importantly, they all have graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. The airman training completed was an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills. Each of them completed basic training, earning four course credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the …

Over There: Support troops with care package donation

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 06:07:01 -0500

Shorewood Knights of Columbus, Bishop L. Kaffer Assembly 3232, will sponsor a care package drive to support the troops from Jan. 7 through Feb. 1. Items needed are general hygiene items, insect repellent, eye drops, men’s and women’s deodorants, shampoo, toothpaste, razors, wet wipes, soap, canned food, pre-sweetened powdered drink mixes, beef jerky, beef sticks, batteries (AA-AAA), cookies, granola bars, protein bar, gloves, hand warmers, stamps, work or tube socks, and white or tan T-shirts. Handmade items are welcome such as scarves, no-sew fleece blankets and quilts. Each box cost $12.35 just for shipping, so donations for postage are needed. …