News

Every year, businesses across the country offer discounts for Veterans Day, and some offer freebies for veterans themselves. 

Here is a link to the Military Times list of discounts, including all the restaurants offering free and discounted meals. Get yours - you earned it. 

Airborne, All The Way!

NEW MEMBER!

Please welcome our newest member, John Mroszcak of Chicago, IL.

John served with 4/68th Armor (82d Abn Div) from 1983-84 and then 3/73d Armor (82d Abn Div) from 1984-85, including deployment to Grenada and later to Southwest Asia. He served a total of 20 years and earned the rank of Major.

Welcome, John, and AATW!

Many thanks for Fritz Cripe of Franklin Park, IL, for renewing his membership with the Chicago Chapter! Fritz served with 1-320th AFAR (82d Abn Div) from 1975-78 and earned the rank of Sergeant.

Airborne, All The Way!

Many thanks to Chicago Chapter Member David Hellrung of Highland Park, IL, for renewing his Assn membership and ongoing support of the Chicago Chapter.

David earned his E-5 rank and served with HHC/82nd Forward Support Battalion in the 82nd Airborne Division from 1995-98.

AATW, David!

Many thanks to Chicago Chapter Member Chase Filkins of Lake In The Hills, IL, for renewing his Assn membership and ongoing support of the Chicago Chapter.

Chase earned his E-5 rank and served with B/1-319th AFAR in the 82nd Airborne Division from 2018-2020, including a tour in Afghanistan.

AATW, Chase! 

Many thanks to Chicago Chapter Member Terrence Owens of LaGrange, IL, for renewing his Assn membership and ongoing support of the Chicago Chapter.

Terrence served with 307th Engineer Battalion in the 82nd Airborne Division, and also served in Vietnam with USAECAV (US Army Engineer Construction Agency Vietnam).

AATW, Terrence!

Chicago Chapter member Scott Lawryn of Des Plaines, IL, has moved from an Annual Member to All American (Life) Member of the Chicago Chapter and the 82nd Airborne Division Association! 

Scott earned the rank of SGT/E-5 and served with CSC/1-504 PIR of the 82nd Airborne Division from 1983-87. 

AATW, Scott! 

Many thanks to Chicago Chapter Member James "Jim" Trimby of Bonfield, IL, for renewing his Assn membership and ongoing support of the Chicago Chapter.

Jim earned the rank of SSG/E-6 and served with both B/2-325 AIR of the 82nd Airborne Division (1976-79) and then B/1-12th SFGA (1986-89). 

AATW, Jim! 

Join us in welcoming our new Chicago Chapter member, James Zima of Hammond, IN.

Jim served with C/2-319th AFAR (82nd Abn Div) from 2004-2005, D/3-325th AIR (82nd Abn Div) from 2005-2006, and HHC/2-508th PIR (82nd Abn Div) from 2006-2008. His combat tours include OIF and OEF. He was a 13F and earned the rank of E-5.

Welcome aboard, Jim! AATW!

Want to share a couple of updates regarding our monthly chapter meetings.

Based on feedback we received from participants last year and recently, we've decided to stop hosting dual in-person and online meetings. Overall, the feedback was that the experience for those participating online wasn't great -- hard to hear, cannot see the room, and such.

Because of this, our Board has decided to alternate in-person and online meetings each month. This month (Feb), we'll meet online via Google Meet, as we did during the pandemic. Then in March we'll meet in person. And so on. We also are going to plan socials during the online meeting months for those interested to meet up for a beer, soda, or whatever you like. Look for more info on that shortly.

Another item to share is that we are moving away from hosting chapter meetings at Rock Bottom in Warrenville. Recently we told by the brewery that they are going to start requiring contracts, room fees, and minimum headcounts for our regular meetings -- and we cannot support that change, it's just too cost-prohibitive.

I hope that everyone understands and supports these changes. If you'd like to share your thoughts, please post a comment here or give me a call at (630) 561-2139.

Airborne, All The Way!

Mark Mueller, Chairman