Wm. B. Sullivan Realty & Co.
Estate Planning and General Law

RAVINIA
"A Great time in a
Wonderful Place" SJC 

September 2, 2010


Congressman Danny Davis, Forest Park Mayor Anthony Calderone, and Members of the 318th Public Affairs Operation Center Unit returning from Duty Since August 24, 2009.
© Suburban Journals of  Chicago Inc. photo

Happy Troops Return to the States and are greeted by a Parade, their loved ones and family.
report by Ed Vincent


The soldiers were all smiles once they reached their loved ones, some having come as far away as Las Vegas.  Many of the soldiers had families of young children and their parents who met them on their return today.


Governor Patrick Quinn Welcomes Home the Troops
© Suburban Journals of  Chicago Inc. video

The park was filled with family and friends, along with media from all over.  The soldiers listened to the Governor, the Mayor,
and Members of Congress, thank them for their service and dedication to cause of the nation.

Staff Sergeant Daniel Schiff from Des Plaines, now married and living in Tinley Park is kissed by his new wife.  They were married just before he deployed to Iraq, they were married in Las Vegas and his mom offered him a choice that she would pay for.  She told him that she would pay for his honeymoon to either Paris, New York, Venice or Camelot, all of these already in Las Vegas.  They chose Venice and spent their honeymoon in Venice (http://www.venetian.com/), in Nevada.  This is a second marriage and came with two lovely daughters.  Staff Sergeant Daniel Schiff was also happy to tell us of his use of the college funds from the Illinois Veterans Grant.  He's glad to be home to his family and looking forward to his job at IBM and some more school.  Staff Sergeant Daniel Schiff also has done 5 deployments to the war effort, his first was in an M1 Tank.

© Suburban Journals of  Chicago Inc. photo

CHICAGO – September 2, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today joined families and community residents in welcoming home 25 members of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 318th Public Affairs Operation Center (PAOC) based in Forest Park. The unit is returning from a year-long deployment in Bagdad, Iraq.

“I am honored to be part of this special day to celebrate the safe homecoming of our brave servicemembers who put their lives on hold to protect and honor our country and our democracy,” said Governor Quinn. “We are all grateful for their courage and
selflessness, and we honor their families who have made sacrifices many of us will never know. I am thankful for the opportunity to share in this day.”

The 318th PAOC was called to duty Aug. 24, 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Based in Bagdad, Iraq, the PAOC served as the Press Camp Headquarters overseeing public affairs information centers and handling media relations.

Last August, 30 soldiers were deployed with the unit from Forest Park, and 25 returned today. Of the 30 soldiers, five suffered non-combat related injuries and returned home separately throughout the past year.

Buona Beef and catering donated all the food, and lots of it the event, feeding the soldiers and their families to a feast of welcome homes.  Burke beverages provided the beer and Famous liquors provided the wine.