“THE DISPATCH NEWS” PUBLISHED BY: THE HODGKINS POLICE DEPARTMENT
Designed and Edited By: Chief Phil Kringlie December 2008
OFFICER HANSEL HOWARD BEGINS RETIREMENT
Hodgkins Police Officer impressionable police recruits Hansel Howard began his begin their new careers and retirement on September 9th, need a police veteran who can 2008. teach and become a mentor and Officer Howard began his lead by example. Officer career with the Hodgkins Hansel Howard helped train Police Department on our new officers for the last 18 September 1st, 1983. Prior to years. His ability to train our that he worked as a police young officers for a career in dispatcher with the City of law enforcement is an asset to Countryside Police our entire community. Department. He grew up in “It takes a certain quality Hodgkins and tested for the individual to be able to police officer position as soon professionally train a new as he could. He was just 25 police officer, and Hansel years old. certainly has that talent” stated OFFICER HANSEL L. HOWARD JR. From the start, Hansel used Retired Chief Hugh Rhodes. his experience in the Department as we Hansel resides in the telecommunications area to implemented our computer western suburbs with his wife help our department with systems. Ruth and three children meeting requirements with Officer Howard was Andrew, Zachary and Rachel. computerized police records assigned to our Investigations His plans include working through the State of Illinois. Unit in 1993. He became around the house when he is Hansel's certification in the certified in Crime Scene not golfing. State of Illinois Police Processing, Evidence Congratulations to Officer Computer System (LEADS) Processing and Narcotics Howard and a sincere thank was a valuable asset to our Investigations. you for your dedicated service. However, Hansel’s greatest Chief Kringlie and Lt. Wilkans contribution to our Congratulate Ofc Howard Department was as a Field Training Officer. This position is an important responsibility within any police agency. An FTO is tasked with the responsibility to train new police officers fresh out of the Mayor Cummings congratulates police academy. These young Ofc Howard on 25 Years of Service THE DISPATCH NEWS Page 2
LT. JACK AZZARELLO GRADUATES STAFF AND COMMAND SCHOOL
he Hodgkins Police Department is pleased to announce the recent graduation Tof Lieutenant Jack Azzarello from the School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University. Lt. Azzarello has successfully education and training for the completed the Ten Week Staff Law Enforcement Community. and Command program held at Since it’s inception, the Center the Plainfield Illinois Police has broadened its original Department. objective and now provides a This program, which was variety of courses and implemented by the Center for programs in the area of Police Public Safety in 1983, has Training, Management graduated over 7,600 students LT. JACK AZZARELLO Training and Executive both nationally and Development. internationally. Lieutenant and Personnel Deployment. Jack has been a member of Jack Azzarello was a student Each student is challenged the Hodgkins Police in School of Police Staff and academically through a total of Department since 1980. He is a Command Class #259. eighteen written examinations, founding member of the The School of Police Staff projects, and quizzes in Hodgkins Fraternal Order of and Command provides upper- addition to research papers Police Lodge #151. He also level college instruction in a which are a required part of served as an Executive Board total of twenty-two the curriculum. Member for the Illinois State core or mandatory Upon successful F.O.P. Lodge and Labor blocks of completion, Council. Jack is currently in instruction and students may be charge of our Patrol utilizes nine awarded a total of Operations. additional blocks 23 undergraduate Lt. Azzarello has two sons, of instruction credits from Matt is a sophomore at Lyons during each session. The major Northwestern University in Township High School and topics of study include: Evanston, Illinois. Chris is starting the 3rd grade. Management and Management The Center for Public Jack and his wife Suzie, reside Theory, Organizational Safety was established at in Hodgkins. Behavior, Human Resources Northwestern University in Congratulations to Lt. Jack for Law Enforcement, 1936 with the specific goal of Azzarello on the graduation Budgeting, Staffing Allocation expanding university-based from this command course. THE DISPATCH NEWS Page 3
MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF
On behalf of the Hodgkins announced his Police Department we wish intention to you a very “Merry Christmas” retire in and Happy Holidays. March of This past year has not only 2009. This went by fast, but also been a will complete busy time for our Department. 32 years of You will read about many distinguished accomplishments and activities service to our that our Department has community by experienced this year, in this Lt. Wilkans. CHIEF PHIL KRINGLIE issue of the newsletter. Due to Our concern for your safety these retirements we have our Youth Division held a and well being is always our hired two new officers this basketball game against the priority for our officers. We year. The first was in July and staff of the Hodgkins Park have increased a variety of the second officer in District. We also have a cash training needs for our officers September. donation bottle in our throughout this past year. We are very proud of our Department that is generating Training remains a large part officers who will be taking the a very nice pile of cash for the of our schedule. reins of the Department in the 2009 St. Jude Fundraiser. O u r D e p a r t m e n t i s next few years. Please remember, this is the transitioning through another The article on page 2 time of year that we need to be round of retirements. This past highlights Lt. Azzarello’s very cautious when it comes to September, Officer Hansel graduation from the shopping. For those of you Howard Jr. began his well Northwestern University who will be out shopping , be earned retirement after serving School of Police Staff and aware of your surroundings. our community for 25 years. Command. This is a prestigious Please do not hesitate to Having worked with Ofc and difficult Ten Week Course contact our Department if you Howard throughout his career in Police Executive have any questions or with the Hodgkins Police Management. Congrats to Lt. concerns. We are here to serve Department, I wish him and Azzarello for a job well done. and protect. his family the very best as he We increased our effort in embarks into a new phase of supporting St. Jude Children’s life. Research Hospital. In addition f Phil Kringlie Lt. Mark Wilkans has to our annual Bike-A-Thon, Chie THE DISPATCH NEWS Page 4
2008 D.A.R.E BASKETBALL GAME SUPPORTS THE TROOPS
effects of being short handed due to the activation of local Military Reserve and National Guard Chief Phil Kringlie Units. welcomes the crowd T h i s years event raised more than $3,000.00 that was used to send supplies to our troops. Countryside Police Officer Kelly Kalker returned from 2008 D.A.R.E. GURRIE JR. HIGH BASKETBALL GAME Iraq and back to work in August . Congrats to Countryside This years DARE basketball Village Trustee Ernie Millsap. Police Officer and Hodgkins game at Gurrie Middle School This years event was the 11th Village Trustee Ernie Millsap was a benefit to support our consecutive game. Police for continuing to organize troops. Countryside Police Officers from Countryside, these events. The 8th Grade Officer Kelly Kalker is Hodgkins and LaGrange Tigers look forward each year deployed with the United participate. Each year, the to playing against the cops and States Army and serving in officers challenge the Gurrie everyone enjoys the positive Iraq. 8th Grade Tigers. contact. The charity event is In the past, the game has The Hodgkins Police organized by Countryside raised funds for causes such as Department is proud to be Police Officer and Hodgkins police officers killed and involved in this event. injured in the line of duty, local Hodgkins Police Officers school children needing Hodgkins Police Sgt Milojevich suffered Jeff Keilman and Mike Bennett assistance for medical bills or a broken hand in the hard fought game equipment. The charity basketball game not only raises funds for a variety of causes, but also brings the kids and police officers together for an evening of fun. Several police agencies in our area are experiencing the THE DISPATCH NEWS Page 5
TOYS FOR TOTS POLICE PISTOL TOURNAMENT
BY: ADMIN. ASSTISTANT ELAINE THOMPSON
At this time of year we variety of shooting are accustomed to matches. With over 80 numerous organizations sponsors who donated 300 raising funds for those less prizes the award table had fortunate. Toys for Tots a value of over $16,000.00. are one such organization The United States Marine that for years has worked Corps Reserves worked hard to give closely with event underprivileged kids a coordinators as well as the Merry Christmas. Harvey Police The 3rd annual toys for Department to get the Tots Combat Challenge OFC JIM PIERCE LEAVES THE FIRING LINE AT THE event organized. Match took place on TOYS FOR TOTS COMBAT CHALLENGE MATCH Each participant in the November 3, 2007 and event was asked to donate was a huge success. Officer Competitors came from a new toy along with his or her Jim Pierce of the Hodgkins Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, entry fee. Officer Pierce had Police Department participated Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, participated in the event in the in the event, which had 169 Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, past and looked forward to participants Ohio Oklahoma, another challenging year. from 15 states Tennessee, Officer Mike Cimino and compete in the Virginia and Administrative Assistant Elaine Challenge. Wisconsin to Thompson joined Officer The event compete in this Pierce in donating items to the successfully collected over 470 years match. Shooters charity and cheered Officer toys in support of this competed for trophies and Pierce on during his charitable cause. numerous donated items in a competition shoot.
THE FIRING LINE THE DISPATCH NEWS Page 6
TWO NEW POLICE OFFICERS
The Hodgkins Police was hired by OFC KRINGLIE CONGRATULATED BY Department welcomed two the McCook MAYOR CUMMINGS new officers this year. Police Department in PATROL OFFICER April 2007 and PHILLIP L. KRINGLIE: attended the Cook County On June 30th, 2008 Officer Sheriff’s Police Phillip L. Kringlie was sworn Academy. in as a Hodgkins Police When the Officer. Officer Kringlie left Village of the McCook Police Hodgkins Department to join our ranks. began testing He is the son of Chief for Patrol Kringlie and grew up in Officers in January of this completing his Masters Hodgkins. He enlisted in the year, Phil decided to try out. Degree. After obtaining his U.S. Army and served as a Officer Phil Kringlie , wife Bachelor’s Degree, he returned Military Police Officer for Renee’ and their daughter to Illinois and worked as an almost eight years. Serving in reside in the near west elementary school teacher at a many places including Ft. suburbs. private school on the North Leonard Wood Missouri, Ft. Side of Chicago. Riley Kansas, Ansbach PATROL OFFICER Joseph was hired in June Germany, Ft. Sam Houston JOSEPH KLOTZ: 2006 to work in the Texas, The Pentagon and Ft. administration of the police Myers Virginia. On September 14, 2008 department as a records After completing his term of Officer Joseph Klotz was administrator. He is attending service with the Army, he sworn in as a Hodgkins Police the Police Academy at the returned back to Illinois. He Officer. Officer Klotz resigned Police Training Institute from the position of Records University of Illinois in Administrator Champaign Illinois and will OFC KLOTZ SWORN IN BY MAYOR CUMMINGS with the graduate on December 4th, Hodgkins 2008. Police Officer Joseph Klotz, wife Department. Holly and their two daughters J o s e p h reside in Hodgkins. grew up in On behalf of the Hodgkins Hodgkins and Police Department, we would graduated like to welcome these officers from Murray and families to our State Department. Their desire to University in Serve and Protect is greatly Kentucky. He appreciated. is currently THE DISPATCH NEWS Page 7
POLICE OFFICERS COMMENDED
At the Village of Hodgkins minutes. Mayor Cummings, Lt Azzarello, Sgt Milojevich, November Board Meeting, Officer’s Ofc Bird, Ofc Bennett and Chief Kringlie Chief Kringlie presented responded Certificates of Commendation from several to several officers for their neighboring actions on duty. police agencies C e r t i f i c a t e s o f assisting with a Commendations were awarded perimeter to Lt. Jack Azzarello, Sgt. search. The 5th Chris Milojevich, Officer Doug District SWAT Bird, Officer Mike Pawlowski unit was called and Officer Mike Bennett for out to conduct their actions during a Burglary a search of the In Progress call on October 14, residence in 2008. case a lone At about 8:30 am on offender had remained inside. arrived on the scene before the October 14, Ofc. Mike About 2 hours after the ambulance and found a male Pawlowski was on patrol and incident began, the second subject lying on the ground observed two Public Works offender was captured hiding unresponsive. employees running toward the in a backyard on Wenz O f f i c e r B i r d b e g a n back yard of a residence on Avenue. The officers who were Cardiopulmonary 67th street. Ofc. Pawlowski on duty that morning Resuscitation (CPR) on the turned around and as he responded very professionally. subject until the ambulance approached the house, two The incident resulted in two arrived. The paramedics were offenders exited the front door offenders being charged with able to stabilize the victim and and fled on foot. felony and misdemeanor transport him to the hospital. A foot chase ensued offenses. These officers were The victim survived through resulting in one offender being commended for their actions the night but succumbed to his captured within the first 10 during this incident. condition the next day. Due to A second Officer Bird actions, the victim Chief Kringlie and Mayor Cummings Certificate of was given the chance to make it Congratulate Officer Bird Commendation to a hospital to receive was awarded to professional care. Officer Bird Officer Doug was commended for his Bird. actions. At about 4 Police Officers are paid to pm on October put their own safety at risk. 14th, Officer Our profession calls for us to Doug Bird go into places that citizens responded to an usually are running out of. So, ambulance assit to recognize these officers for call at the Citgo doing a good job is and should Gas Station on be a common goal. A pat on the Joliet Road. He back is certainly appreciated. THE DISPATCH NEWS Page 8 2008 ANNUAL ST. JUDE FUNDRAISER GROWS
BY: SGT. CHRIS MILOJEVICH
The Hodgkins Police Department held its annual St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Bike-A-Thon on Saturday May 3, 2008 at 9:00 am. This was our 18th year. 35 riders participated in the Bike- A-Thon and a total of $5798.17 was raised, which is an all time high. Michael Sheldon raised the most money totaling $376.00 and he received a bicycle, which was donated from Wal- Mart for turning in the most money. SGT. MILOJEVICH PREPARES THE RIDERS FOR THE The day started out with 2008 ST. JUDE BIKE-A-THON bright sunshine and cool weather, which is perfect for lunch from McDonalds. After two teams, staff members of the Bike-A-Thon. lunch, the bicycle was the Park District against a Unfortunately Mother Nature presented to Michael Sheldon Hodgkins Police Team. We did not cooperate and the and every child who required a $500.00 team fee weather turned to rain at 10:30 participated in the Bike-A- and opened the event up to a.m. The kids were brought in Thon received a gift, which spectators for donations. All to the community center and was donated by the Hodgkins proceeds went to St. Jude lunch was served. The Fraternal Order of Police. Children’s Hospital. Hodgkins Fraternal Order of This year we added a On March 30th 2008, the 1st Police Lodge #151 supplied second type of fundraiser for Annual Battle of the HPD’s St. Jude Children’s basketball game took place.
A POLICE ESCORT STARTS THE BIKE-A-THON Research Hospital. The game was played at the We were challenged Park District with the winner by the Hodgkins Park not only getting bragging rights District staff to a but a trophy to keep for a year Basketball game. until the next battle of the Park employee HPD’s to be held in 2009. Allan Mills Jr. and I The Hodgkins FOP met and discussed sponsored the police team and details and how this the Park District raised their event could raise entry fee through private and money for St. Jude. business donations. A total of We decided to field $1500.00 was raised for the THE DISPATCH NEWS Page 9
to race, religion, creed, or ability to pay. In fact, St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families evening thanks to spectators never pay for treatments that who came and made donations. are not covered by insurance. The game was hard fought Research findings at St. and the Hodgkins Police Jude are shared with doctors Department was victorious. and scientists al over the world. VOLUNTEERS GET READY TO COUNT LAPS Final score was 32–25. The St. Jude pioneered the Trophy is on display at the combination of chemotherapy, These costs are primarily Hodgkins Police Department. radiation and when necessary, covered by public The leading scorer for the surgery to treat childhood contributions. The past three Police Department was Officer cancer. They are also years, 85.1% of every dollar Jeff Keilman and for the Park continuing to expand the use of received has gone directly to District was Alan Mills Jr. bone marrow transplantation research and treatment. The response that we as treatment and have the We, at Hodgkins Police receive from residents is very largest pediatric bone marrow Department, feel very strongly satisfying. We feel it is transplant in the world – over about St. Jude crusade. Chief important to give back and St. 180 transplants a year. Kringlie made the suggestion to Jude is a charity that is dear to Since its inception, survival place a container into the our hearts. rates for childhood cancers squad room for Officers to Danny Thomas founded St. increased from less than 20% to make donations throughout the Jude in 1962 with the sole more than 70%. A small year to get a head start for next purpose of conducting basic example would be, in 1962, the year’s bike-a-thon. If you and clinical research into survival rate for Acute would like to make a catastrophic childhood Lymphoblastic Leukemia contribution, please feel free to diseases, mainly cancer. Today (ALL) the most common form stop. St Jude treats children from all of childhood cancer was 4%. In closing, I would like to 50 States and more than 70 Thanks to St Jude, the survival thank the volunteers who came Countries. St Jude Children rate is 94%. out and helped. Without your Hospital is non-sectarian, The daily operating costs help, these fundraisers would treats children without regard $1,216, 247 which is enormous. never be the success they are.
2008 DONATIONS TO ST. JUDE:
$3625.94 Raised by the Bike-A-Thon Riders
$1510.00 Raised from Charity Basketball game between Police Department and Park District, held on March 30 2008.
$662.23 Donation from Hodgkins F.O.P.
TOTAL $5798.17 THE DISPATCH NEWS Page 10 WE-PAK-4-IRAQ SUPPORT FOR THE TROOPS
By: Ken W. Dye American Legion #1941 ship all collected items Last November, Paul making sure that all the Voyne and I, members of items arrived at the end American Legion Post user and obtain feed 1941 visited the Hodgkins back. Police Department to A l t h o u g h n o t discuss American Legion formalized as stated Post service activities for above, we all finished our the coming year. The coffee and got to work to goal of the visit was to make this happen. i. see if the Police e….”We got to gettin’” Department and the Post T h e P o l i c e could launch a Department and the Volunteers from American Legion Post #1941 and the American Legion raised collaborative “Military Hodgkins Police pack and ship supplies for the troops Style” effort to develop funds in order to capitalize this joint and execute a meaningful “OPERATION venture. Funds were set aside operation for local troops WE-PAK-4-IRAQ” currently deployed to the The following objectives from the American Legions war zone. were adopted: annual Fall Fest fund raiser, and During the discussion, 1) Supply Officer a very successful Hodgkin over coffee of course, Chief Carrasquillo and his unit, a Police Department Christmas Kringlie advised that a Hodgkins hard charging weapons platoon, breakfast. The breakfast is an Police Officer, Ryan with comfort items as well as annual and very worthwhile Carrasquillo, had been recalled food items that would bring a activity to raise funds for by the US Marine Corps for a small bit of Americana to the veteran-related activities. second tour of duty in Iraq. This young men and women OK…that part is taken information laid the ground who so unselfishly serve care of, next on the agenda work for a plan that was proudly their country. was where are we going to developed and came to be called: 2) Provide the necessary get all the items to send to funding for shipping Iraq? the collected items to The answer lay in the area Iraq. school system where 3) Involve area patriotically decorated collection schools in the collection boxes were placed at the process thus giving Hodgkins School and Park school children a Junior High, with the sense of entitlement enthusiastic and energetic and involvement in cooperation of the schools Operation principals, Dr. Kathy WEPAK4IRAQ. Keenan and Dr. Laura 4) Pack and Schwartz. The response THE DISPATCH NEWS Page 11 SUPPLIES SENT TO THE TROOPS:
depict our troops sharing the shipped items with Iraq children. The smiles on the faces of the children speak for themselves. On a personal note it was and is indeed an honor and a privilege to see the community The Police Department training room was organized like a department store and the police department come for the packing day together and get behind this worthy and worthwhile project was remarkable, received a number of e-mails to make our troops know and and soon the and photos of the troops appreciate that we care and wish collection boxes enjoying the candy and other all our them God speed!! were overflowing. goodies. It is very important to The collected items note that a number of the photos “Support Your Troops” were stored at the Hodgkins Police Department for Mobile Assault Platoon 2 subsequent packing and United States Marine Corps shipping. Two packing and shipping operations took place at the police department where Police Officers, their wives and members of American legion Post 1941 packed and shipped 2,157 Pounds of goodies to our troops. None of this would have been possible without a great deal of cooperation from several different entities with one goal in mind…SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS!!! The police department has THE DISPATCH NEWS Page 12
Military Veteran Addresses: Send a Card-Letter-Package To Our Heroes:
GSgt. Mario J. Mazzuca Jr. Pvt. Brandon Casper 9383 W. Lilac Rd. PRT LAGHMAN Escondido, CA. 92026 FOB METHAR LAM APO AE 09354 Son of Hodgkins Resident Jeanette Mazzuca Son of Hodgkins Residents Cyndi & Ken Casper Stationed in California Stationed in Afghanistan
Cpl. Valenzuela, Eliseo Pfc. Kovel Jr., Steve HMH-464 DET-CP Hodgkins Police Dept. Unit 77013 F/L 6015 Lenzi Ave. FPO AE 09502-7013 Hodgkins, IL. 60525 Son of Hodgkins Residents Marie & Jesse Son of Hodgkins Resident Steve Kovel Valenzuela Attached to a Naval Fleet In-Transit from Korea to Ft. Lewis
Sgt. Mark Button SSG. Rick Penkala 183rd Maintenance Co. “C” Co. 1/21 INF BN 1/320 FAR. 101 ABN DIV. 2ND 25th INF. DIV. Camp Liberty, Iraq Unit # 43007 Camp Liberty APO AE 09344 APO AE 09344 Cousin of Chief Kringlie Friend of Chief Kringlie
HOLIDAY CARDS FOR OUR TROOPS
The American Red Cross is sponsoring a national "Holiday Mail for Heroes" campaign to receive and distribute holiday cards to service members and veterans both in the United States and abroad. Holiday Mail for Heroes, which began Tuesday, Veterans Day, is a follow-up to the 2007 effort that resulted in the collection and distribution of more than 600,000 cards to hospitalized service members. This year's program will expand its reach to not only wounded service members but also veterans and their families. The goal is to collect and distribute 1 million pieces of holiday mail. "As we enter this holiday season-a time to celebrate with family and friends-it's important to remember the thousands of men and women who serve our nation in harm's way and those who are recovering in military and veterans hospitals," said Army Col. Norvell V. Coots, commander, Walter Reed Health Care System. "The Holiday Mail for Heroes program is a wonderful outreach effort and a great way to acknowledge the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform." HOLIDAY CARDS SHOULD BE MAILED TO:
Holiday Mail for Heroes Enjoy Your Freedom? P.O. Box 5456 Thank A Veteran! Capitol Heights, MD. 20791-5456
All cards must be postmarked no later than Dec. 10. Cards should not be mailed or delivered to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. THE DISPATCH NEWS Page 13
AA GGATHERINGATHERING TTOO OOBSERVEBSERVE MMEMORIALEMORIAL DDAYAY 20082008
M e m o r i a l D a y , and Spotsylvania originally called National Military Park Decoration Day, is a day on Marye's Heights, and of remembrance for in 2004, Washington D. those who have died in C. held its first our nation's service. Memorial Day parade in There are many stories over 60 years. as to its actual In Hodgkins, for the beginnings, with over past 19 years we have two dozen cities and conducted services on towns laying claim to Memorial Day at the being the birthplace of Hodgkins Veterans Memorial Day. Memorial. Our There is also evidence Memorial is now 20 that organized women's years old. Chief Kringlie recognizes with gratitude Trustee Don groups in the South Cuttill, Ofc Ryan Carrasquillo, John Mooncotch and The American Legion were decorating graves Wally Kubicki for their combat service to our nation Post Honor Guard and before the end of the Bugler #1941 has Civil War. 3rd U.S. Infantry place small participated in every Memorial During the first celebration American flags at each of the Day Service for the past 19 of Decoration Day, General more than 260,000 gravestones years. We greatly appreciate James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National there assistance and service. at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 Each year we receive many Cemetery, after which 5,000 hours a day during the compliments about the participants helped to decorate weekend to ensure that each attendance at our Memorial. the graves of the more than flag remains standing. In 1951, The number of people who 20,000 Union and Confederate the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts attend our Memorial Day soldiers buried in the cemetery. of St. Louis began placing flags Service is not surprising to us, Since the late 50's on the on the 150,000 graves at but for those who aren’t that Thursday before Memorial Jefferson Barracks National familiar with our community, it Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the Cemetery as an annual Good is amazing. Turn, a practice that OFC DOUG BIRD WELCOMES HOME continues to this day. OFC. RYAN CARRASQUILLO More recently, beginning in 1998, on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial Day, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts place a candle at each of approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers American Legion Post #1941 Honor Guard buried at Fredericksburg Conducts 21 Gun Salute THE DISPATCH NEWS Page 14 A LOCAL VETERAN: SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW
harles proved very Kovel was effective at clearing C drafted into Japanese positions. the United States The Shermans were Military on January difficult to disable, 1st, 1944. He such that defenders thought the Marine were often Corps had the best compelled to assault looking uniform, so them in the open, he enlisted in the where the Japanese Marines. troops would fall He attended victim to the Boot Camp at Camp superior numbers of Pendleton and Marines. headed into the Pvt Kovel landed on Pacific for more the beach and made training on it to a shell hole to amphibious CHARLES “CHI” KOVEL STANDS NEXT TO A METAL CUTOUT OF take cover. The THE IWO JIMA “FLAG RAISING” IN HIS FRONT YARD assaults. A year battle was under later Pvt. Kovel was leaving deadly barrage of fire. way and would last about 30 Saipan on a liberty ship The fighting was extremely days before the island was heading towards a small fierce. The Americans' declared secured. Private island named Iwo Jima. advance was stalled by Kovel would only last about 10 During the trip, the numerous defensive days. marines kept training and positions augmented by On the third night of battle, preparing for what they artillery, where they were Kovel was holed up in another were told would be a 4 ambushed by Japanese shell hole. At night, the day battle. troops that occasionally Japanese would come out of On the morning of sprung out of tunnels. the tunnel system and attack February 19th, 1945 at The Marines learned that randomly. Pvt. Kovel saw a 8:59 am, the 5th Marine firearms were relatively Jap soldier spring up out of a Division landed on the ineffective against the hole and come running toward beach directly at the foot Japanese defenders of Mt. Suribachi on the and effectively used southwest end of the island. flamethrowers and grenades Pvt. Kovel’s Unit, “D” to flush out Japanese troops Company 2nd Battalion, 28th in the tunnels. One of the Marines, were in the first wave technological innovations of to hit the beach. the battle, the eight Sherman The Japanese defenders M4A3R3 medium tanks waited about two hours, when equipped with the Navy the beach was loaded with Mark I flame thrower marines, and unleashed a ("Ronson" or Zippo Tanks), THE DISPATCH NEWS Page 15
IWO JIMA STATISTICS: 70,000 MARINES IN THE BATTLE VS ESTIMATED 23,000 JAPANESE SOLDIERS ON IWO JIMA 6,821 MARINES AND SAILORS KILLED - 19,217 WOUNDED 22,000+ JAPANESE SOLIERS KILLED In 36 days of fighting there were 25,851 US casualties (1 in 3 were killed or wounded). Over third of the total Marines who participated in the invasion were either Killed, Wounded or suffered from Battle Fatigue.
him. The Jap dove onto Kovel arrived in the morning. He was presented to Marines and pierced his pant leg with a taken to the beach and placed and four were bayonet. Kovel defended his in a medical staging area. presented to position and survived the His memory is still vivid of the United States attack. Hand to hand combat bodies that lay along the beach, Navy sailors; this was frequent during this month either wounded or dead is a full 30% of the long battle. waiting for transport. The odor 82 Medals of Honor awarded On the fourth day of the of death he can still smell. Flies to Marines in the entirety of battle, a group the size of your World War II. of Marines “When the Flag went up, you thumb on such Chi would spend the next climbed to the could hear everyone cheer…. - a tiny island. nine months in naval hospitals top of Mt. - recalled Chi Kovel While on from Hawaii to Great Lakes. Suribachi. At board the Corporal Kovel returned to the top of the medical ship he Illinois after the war was over. mountain they raised the remembers many burials at sea, Like most other World War American Flag. At the bottom for those who died enroute to a Two Veterans, he returned of the mountain Pvt. Kovel hospital. home to live the American watched the historical event During this month-long dream. take place. “When the Flag battle, 27 U.S. military In 1952 Chi Kovel married went up, you could hear personnel were awarded the “VV” and started his family everyone cheer. That is why I Medal of Honor for their which would include 5 love that Flag so much. It actions, 14 of them children. represents who we are”, recalled posthumously. Of the 27 He returned to Iwo Jima in Chi Kovel. medals awarded, 23 were 1995 as part of the 50 Year The now infamous flag Anniversary of the historic raising took place, while the battle. His son Frank, went battle for the island continued. with him. Chi stated that he On March 1st, 1945 as Pvt. just wanted to stand on the Kovel was advancing to Hill beach and take another look 362, he was struck by a bullet around. in the right hip. Kovel had It was a great honor to fought for 11 days before speak to Chi and listen to his getting wounded. He crawled life story. He certainly does not into a nearby hole for cover consider himself a hero. The and applied sulfur to his real hero’s were left in the Iwo wound. Jima Veterans Cemetery. The bullet tore through his Regardless, he is a Hero in hip and split the thigh bone. my opinion. He laid in a defensive position all night long until medics “Thanks Chi” THE DISPATCH NEWS Page 16
Presort “THE DISPATCH NEWS” Standard U.S. Postage Paid A HODGKINS POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER LaGrange, Illinois 6015 LENZI AVENUE Permit No. 506 HODGKINS, ILLINOIS 60525
IN THIS ISSUE:
“ Officer Howard ”
“ New Officers ”
“ St Jude Hospital ”
“ We-Pak-4-Iraq ”
“ Iwo Jima Veteran ” Check Us Out On The Web: www.hodgkinspd.org
SWAT TRAINING
This past summer our practice on doorways and Special Weapons and Tactics various office designs is simply Team used the old Village Hall invaluable. located at 8990 Lyons Street The 5th District SWAT for training. team is comprised of police Training in facilities that are agencies in the 5th District of being torn down is a big help to Cook County. Hodgkins Police the training needs of a tactical Officer Jeff Piotrowski is a team. The ability to go in and 5TH DISTRICT S.W.A.T. TEAM member of the team.
SWAT