2015 Military Moment of the Game
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Larry E. Nazimek
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Larry Nazimek served in the United States Air Force from 1973-1985. He has been awarded many honors for his service including, Air Force Commendation Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Combat Readiness Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. During Nazimek’s service he was an Air Force Pilot and Weapon Systems Officer. He flew F-4 Phantom (as WSO), T-38 Talon, and B-52 Stratofortress. While stationed in Okinawa, Nazimek was deployed to Korea for Operation Paul Bunyan where he flew patrol in the DMZ and stood ground alert in the event the President decided to launch an attack. Then while stationed at Grand Forks AFB, ND he flew B-52s and was deployed to Guam on a 31 hour mission.
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Elizabeth Diaz
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Elizabeth Diaz served in the United States Army from 2001-2005. She was a 35L, an Avionics Communication Repair and was in charge of trouble shooting all sorts of both ground and air communications. Diaz considers herself very fortunate to have just one duty station. She was stationed overseas in Hanau, Germany 127 ASB Avnx platoon and was deployed for 15 months to Baghdad, Iraq.
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Joaquin Miranda
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Joaquin Miranda served active duty in the United States Air Force Pararescue from 07/92 – 08/96 and again from 09/04 – 06/05. After active duty Miranda used his military experience and knowledge to further support Military personnel within the State by becoming the President of the DeVery Military Resource Club. He was an Advisor to City of Chicago – Advisory Council of Veterans Affairs, Advisor to City of Chicago – Advisory Council of Veterans Affairs before he became a Diversity Program Recruiter tasked with identifying Veterans that were relevant and qualified for their roles in order to improve the candidate pool and hiring success rate at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. Since coming to work for the Health Care Service Corporation, Miranda has helped over 200 Veterans be placed with employment at BCBS of IL which does not including the work Blue Cross has shared with various organizations across the country on best practices to employ qualified Veterans and their spouses. In June 2015, Miranda work and support for military personal was further recognized through his invitation to be a part of the New Latino Veteran’s Committee of the Illinois Latino Family Commission.
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Matthew McCoy
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Matthew McCoy began his service in the US Navy Reserves in 2008 where he oversaw all air operations, administrative updates and detainee custody extension requests for a 400 + person facility. McCoy also monitored clandestine operations to ensure success of Joint Task Force’s capture of 251 terrorists and mitigated threats to US/Iraq Forces, Iraq government officials and civilians. He worked to coordinate travel requirements and movement of 250 detainees, 1,000 passengers, and sensitive cargo for five in-theater locations. During his service he was award with many honors including Armed Forces Reserves Medal, Gloabal War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, M-9 Pistol Sharpshooter, M-4 Rifle Marksman, and the Navy Good Conduct Medal.
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Carl Mueller
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Carl Mueller severed in the United States Army during World War II. He was a member of the Army Corp of Engineers where he spent his efforts working on roadwork and various construction projects. During his time in the Army he was stationed in both Fort Lewis, Washington and Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
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National Women Veterans United
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The National Women Veterans United celebrated their 10th Anniversary as a Women Veteran’s Organization chartered to assist women veterans and service women. As a 501c3 organization the organization is comprised of women veterans of every branch of service including the National Guards and Reserves; current active service members, enlisted and officers. NWVO provides on-going support for women veterans. On July 25th, the NWVU will proudly present a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Illinois Community Women Veteran’s Center.
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Demetrice Barnes
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Demetrice Barnes served in the United States Army for eight years, from 1989 to 1997. She served as an Automated Logistics Specialist performing Warehouse Operations in Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, and Egypt. From her time spent in the Army, Barnes accumulated lots of well deserved recognition with awards such as the Army Accommodation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Joint Service Achievement Medal, as well as the multinational Forces and Observers Medal.
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Meosha Thomas
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Meosha Thomas served in the United States Navy for eight years. She was responsible for creating intelligence training curriculum for the communications division. Her duties were critical to crew getting certified to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan. The training led to the successful certification and the highest scores out of the entire West Coast fleet. Very deservingly Meosha received several awards including Navy Good Conduct Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, National Defense Service, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
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Sam J. Maggio
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Sam J. Maggio was drafted to the United States Army in 1967 . In that same year he was deployed to Vietnam where his duties included engaging and destroying the enemy. In 1968 Maggio was deployed to Da Nang for the Tet Offensive for extended battle and was unfortunately wounded on two separate occasions a few weeks apart. Maggio spent a few weeks in the hospital in Japan before he was brought back to the USA to continue his treatment Kansas. In 1969 Maggio was deployed to Fort Carson, Colorado where he was later released from active duty. He has been recognized for many well deserved awards such as 2 purple hearts, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation and the National Defense Ribbon.
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James D. Wydra
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James D. Wydra joined the Navy in 2008. During his time in the Navy, James D. Wydra provided security support at Mobile Security Squadron 3 during the “Captain Phillips” incident and also provided force protection for Commander Fleet Activities in Chinhae South Korea. James D. Hydra earned the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class during his time in the Navy.
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Kaney O’Neill
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Kaney O’Neill joined the military where she was assigned to the Nuclear Aircraft Carrier USS Nimitz during its overhaul process. In 1977 while stationed in Newport News, VA, Kaney O’Neill suffered a spinal cord injury where she severed her fifth and sixth vertebrae. After her injury, Kaney O’Neill went back to school to earn her bachelors and masters degree at Northwestern and is now a successful entrepreneur in the area, receiving the award of “Women Veteran of the Year”.
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Salvadore F Carbajal
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Sergeant Salvadore F. Carbajal enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in August of 2008 and is currently still on active duty. He has served as a Field Radio Operator during three different combat deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During his time spent in Afghanistan he provided multiple ways of communication for his teams to be able to pass information back to their command. Sgt Carbajal has developed a vast amount of communication skills while serving in the Marine Corps, including the knowledge to set up, run, and supervise standalone data and radio network capabilities that are deploy-able with any unit at any time.
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Fred Roder
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Fred Roger enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in March 2002 following the attacks on September 11. His duties included supporting communications and data systems, electronic maintenance, and various combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq. Sgt. Roger was detached to various infantry and force protection units, going on hundreds of convoy operations and security missions. During his two deployments in Iraq, Roger received a variety of commendations and awards.
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Robert Malnik
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Robert Malnik enlisted in the United States Army in May 2000. His first deployment was to Kosovo for six months and then to Macedonia for six months before serving eighteen months in Iraq. His duties included being a M1A1 Tank Driver, Loader and Gunner. As an E-4 Corporal Robert Malnik was awarded the Army Commendation, Army Achievement, Good Conduct, Iraq Campaign, Kosovo Campaign, Nato Campaign and Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medals throughout his term.
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James Allen
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James Allen is a proud United States Army Veteran who served from 1978-1996. During his 18 years of service Allen’s job responsibilities ranged from driving heavy equipment to serving as a Captain, which was his rank when he retired. Some of his awards and decorations include Overseas Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, CAS Cube staff college, Officer Basic Course, and officer advance course.
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Jaime Parent
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Jamie Parent spent 20 years serving in the United States Air Force. During his time of service he jobs included NATO Base Exercise Team Evaluator, Director of first American HIV testing laboratory (RAF Upper Heyford, England 1988), First regional electronic health record (San Antonio 1996), National Capitol Area Electronic health record support for 9/11 (2001), Air Force Chief Information Officer of the Year, Air Force Medical Element, Washington, DC (2001). For his dedication Parent was recongized with well deserved awards including Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal (3 oak leaf clusters), Air Force Commendation Medal Air Force Achievement Medal.
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Melisaa Uhles
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Melissa Uhles served from 1991-1996 in the United States Navy. During her time of service, she completed completed her tour of duty in Souda Bay Crete, Greece and Naval Air Station Atsugi Japan, as a Military Police Officer. Uhles duties included temporary duty assignment with the Naval Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) along with Military Police duties. She monitored the gate and entrance activities, controled traffic and respond to emergencies on the base. In some instances, she investigated crimes and guarded inmates within military correctional facilities. She also supervised mobility operations and provide area security in conjunction with the local police force.
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Thomas Carter
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Captain Thomas John Carter is a native of New York and entered the United States Army as an Enlisted Solider in 1973. His enlisted service was spent with The 82nd Finance Company, 82nd Airborne Division; 1st PPSD, First Corps Support Command, XVIII Airborne Corp; Company A, 826 Military Intelligence Battalion; First United States Army Area Intelligence School, Sixth United States Army Area Intelligence School; The United States Army Intelligence Center and School, Company C, 3rd Battalion, 11th Special Forces Group, (Airborne); Defense Intelligence Agency, (DIA) and the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, The Pentagon; where he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.His awards include the Army Commendation Medal (2), the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal (2), the Army Service Ribbon, the Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation (Army – Air Force), Pathfinder Badge, and the Parachute Badge.