Honored Veterans Who Served, But Not Forgotten
Colonel Bradley E. Roach
The medallions of “Service to Country” will be presented to our U.S. Military Veterans this evening by Colonel Bradley E. Roach, Commander for the 34 Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade for the Illinois Army National Guard. In this capacity, he commands several sustainment capabilities within Illinois while also preparing the 34 DSB to support the 34 Infantry Division during Large Scale Combat Operations.
A distinguished leader with a career spanning three decades, he served as a Platoon Leader in Iraq conducting convoy security, reconnaissance, and personnel security missions. Later, in Afghanistan he served as the U.S. Battle Captain for a combined U.S. and Polish brigade-sized task force of 4,000 soldiers.
Most recently, he was the Executive Officer for the 34th Division Sustainment Brigade during its deployment in support of Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve, where he was responsible for synchronizing staff operations for all sustainment activities in the Middle East.
Colonel Bradley E. Roach
United States Navy Yeoman E-4, Nikita Richards Calahan, is a proud service-disabled veteran. She served in Great Lakes, IL and Norfolk, Virginia between 1999-2001. She provided administrative, personnel, and records management support essential to command operations.
Among her numerous awards and recognitions, she has also received the following appointments:
· State of IL Internal/External Communication and Legislative Affairs Officer for the Office of the Governor’s Commission on Equity and Inclusion – an initiative dedicated to helping veteran business owners.
· U.S. Global Leadership Coalition State Leader and Advisory Committee – a taskforce promoting military diplomacy and NATO support.
· A member of Governor J.B. Pritzker’s transition team -Serving Illinois’ Heroes, developing veteran services and resources to provide a better quality of life.
· U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth Military Service Academy Board of Directors
· Governor appointed member of the Illinois Veterans Service-Connected Ailments Taskforce- making recommendations to help improve the rate at which disability claims are approved for Illinois Veterans.
· A member of Illinois Veterans for Change, and in 2021 she was recognized by Illinois Joining Forces – an organization dedicated to supporting Veterans and their families.
US Navy Yeoman E-4, Nikita Richards Calahan.
US Army Specialist 5 – Don Kirk
Specialist Kirk served in Vietnam between1969-1970 as a bulldozer operator. He was a member of the 62nd Engineer Battalion, also known as the “Jungle Eaters” that cleared hundreds of thousands of acres of jungle.
They operated modified Caterpillar tractors known as Rome Plows and were tasked with stripping dense jungle to deny cover to enemy forces. These plows were equipped with a specialized, 2,500-pound "stinger blade" that allowed the 48,000-pound tractors to slice through the bases of massive trees.
The primary goal of these land-clearing teams was to eliminate enemy sanctuaries, uncover base camps, destroy tunnel entrances, and widen roads to reduce roadside ambushes.
Operating these plows was incredibly dangerous work. Operators faced frequent hostile fire and ambushes, while triggering an average of twenty land mines and booby traps a day. 66% of these operators were wounded during their service, and bounties of up to $25,000 placed on their heads by theViet Cong.
Specialist Kirk was one of those soldiers who received the Purple Heart, as well as the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
US Army Specialist 5 – Don Kirk
Standing (right)
US Army Sergeant E-5 Charles Morris Sr.
Enlisted in the US Army in 1967 and served through 1970. His basic training was at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, then Military Police School at Fort Gordon, Georgia. The school was a major training presence at the Georgia installation and was an intensive program focused on law enforcement and Vietnam-era combat. Soldiers underwent rigorous physical conditioning, unarmed defense including judo and karate, marksmanship, and crowd control. Trainees also handled civil disturbance simulations and stockade operations.
Sgt. Morris was stationed at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, received top secret security clearance and was responsible for patrol, and base security. He was then stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and was part of an elite riot control group.
After the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, riots erupted in Baltimore - a part of the nationwide "Holy Week Uprising". The Maryland Governor called in the National Guard but was still unable to get the violence under control. President Lyndon Johnson subsequently deployed over 5,000 active-duty U.S. Army troops and paratroopers to patrol the streets until calm was restored. Sgt. Morris was among those sent numerous times during that period.
Sgt. Morris was Honorably discharged in 1970 and received the Army Good Conduct Medal.
US Army Sergeant E-5 Charles Morris Sr
US Army Specialist 5 Gary Simpkins
Serving in the Republic of South Vietnam between 1967 and 1968 as a Squad Leader for the Corp of Engineers, Specialist Simpkins was a part of the 18th Engineer Brigade. The Brigade played a vital role in combat engineering, infrastructure and bridge construction, and logistical support, constructing and maintaining base camps, cantonments, port facilities, ammunition depots, and airfields to support deploying US forces.
They coordinated massive road-opening programs and upgraded major arteries across the country enabling the safe movement of troops and supplies. In addition, they executed daily mine sweeps and directly supported tactical and search and destroy missions alongside major Airborne and Infantry Divisions.
Specialist Simpkins was awarded the National Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal, South Vietnam Campaign Medal, US South Vietnam Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Battle Stars, Army Commendation Medal, and the South Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation for the 18th Engineer Brigade.
Today he is the founder and curator of the Simpkins Military Museum in Heyworth. His comprehensive private collection features and incredible display of extensive artifacts spanning from the Civil War through Desert Storm.
US Army Specialist 5 Gary Simpkins
