Guardsman given a 'Freedom Salute'
MARSEILLES – Ten Illinois Army National Guard soldiers from throughout Illinois were honored Sunday for their sacrifice and service.
The ceremony was part of the National Guard Bureau Freedom Salute Campaign recognizing the soldiers, their families and their employers for their support of operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. The soldier were part of liaison teams with Polish forces.
Honored at the 10 a.m. ceremony in the Illinois National Guard’s Marseilles Training Area were:
• 1st Lt. Matthew Kreiter of Chicago – Army Commendation and Afghanistan Campaign Medals
• Capt. Eric Selstad of Chicago – Bronze Star and Afghanistan Campaign Medals
• 1st Lt. Dash Wilson of Galesburg – Army Commendation and Afghanistan Campaign Medals
• Chief Warrant Officer James Zeilstra of Oquawka – Bronze Star and Afghanistan Campaign Medals
• 1st Lt. Lance Beier of Park Ridge - Army Commendation, Afghanistan Campaign, and Iraq Campaign Medal
• Maj. Loren Easter of Chatham – Bronze Star, Army Commendation, Afghanistan Campaign and Iraq Campaign Medals
• 1st Lt. Shawn Haronik of Milan - Bronze Star, Army Commendation, Afghanistan Campaign, and Iraq Campaign Medals
• Col. David Matakas of White Heath – Bronze Star, Army Commendation, Afghanistan Campaign, and Iraq Campaign Medals
• Lt. Col. Jodi Padavana of Monroe Center - Bronze Star, Army Commendation, Afghanistan Campaign and Iraq Campaign Medals
• Sgt. Maj. James Wall of Virden - Bronze Star, Army Commendation, Afghanistan Campaign and Iraq Campaign Medals
Another six zoldiers were part of the mission, but could not attend the ceremony. They will be honored separately.
The Illinois citizen-soldiers were called to federal active duty in March 2008 in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Eleven Soldiers were originally sent to Iraq as part of the Multi-National Division Central-South. Their mission was to help train and mentor the Iraqi army.
Five soldiers deployed to Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Their mission was to assist the Afghan government to extend its authority across the country, conduct stability and perform security operations.
The soldiers also mentored and supported the Afghan national army and supported Afghan government programs to disarm illegally armed groups.
The two groups were combined in October 2008, and were renamed the ISAF Operation Maintenance and Liaison Team. The team was stationed in Afghanistan. The group’s mission was to provide the Polish Battle Group liaison support in managing areas of Commander’s Emergency Response Program.
