News

Chicago Chapter June 2025 Meeting

When: 29 Jun 2025 14:00, CDT
Where: Gatsby’s Pizza and Pub, 427 E Rand Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004

BE SURE TO NOTICE WE ARE GOING BACK TO THE OLD PLACE IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS.  

I sure look forward to seeing all you old paratroopers there! 

We sent out the check for the challenge coins today. 

The expected delivery they gave me yesterday looks like a few days after our June meeting; I was hoping to get them in time for that but it's an estimated date so we still might have them in time for June. 

Our new challenge coins are 1/4 inch larger than the old ones. 

We had a nice turnout for the Memorial Day Parade in Naperville. 
The weather was perfect, the crowd was enthusiastic, and the group looked great! 
Mario made the whole parade route with the chapter's T-10 parachute. 
I am sure the paradegoers have NO idea just how hard that is. 

Well, the webstore is up and running. 
Here is a shortcut to it. 

https://stores.inksoft.com/82nd_airborne_chicago/shop/home

So far, there are only 5 items. 
The only things members have purchased so far is the polo shirt. 
I think there are a total of 5 or 6 or more that members have purchased. 
I think everyone is pleased with their purchases. 

Starting today, the webstore is a fundraiser for our group; each purchase has a 15% "Chapter tax" added - that money will come back to us. 

Let me know what you think of the products currently  displayed. 
If there is something you might be interested in and it's not here, let me know. 
The vendor we are working with is a local Rockford business called Embroid This. 

They seem very accommodating and efficient. 
They can put our logo on just about anything. 

Introducing your 2024 Chicago Chapter Executive Board! 

Rene Hernandez: Chairman, Secretary
Served with 193rd Inf Bde (Abn), 1979-81, and 1/508th PIR (82nd Airborne Division), 1981-83

Mario Nunez: Vice Chairman, Sergeant at Arms
Served with Honduran 1st Artillery Bn (Abn), 1986-88

Tom Milone: Treasurer
Served with 2/504th PIR (82nd Airborne Division), 1996-99

All three of these members return to the Board following their initial Board service in 2023. Rene assumes the gavel from long-time chapter chairman Mark Mueller. These members were installed at the chapter holiday party on 03 December and officially assume office on 01 January 2024. 

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!