160 soldiers from Machesney Park-based Illinois Army National Guard unit to deploy overseas

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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MACHESNEY PARK — Soldiers and their families and friends filled the Harlem High School gymnasium on Thursday for a ceremony to recognize their service and sacrifice ahead of an overseas deployment that could last about a year.

Approximately 160 Illinois Army National Guard soldiers with the Machesney Park-based 725th Transportation Company will conduct fuel operations in Europe in support of U.S. allies in Operation Atlantic Resolve, which is designed to bolster NATO countries’ defenses in response to Russian military actions.

“You have answered a truly extraordinary call. You are going above and beyond to serve not just your country and your fellow citizens but our alliances in the global community of nations,” Gov. JB Pritzker told the soldiers. “In undertaking this important mission you are making us all safer, freer and stronger.”

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Pritzker, along with state Rep. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport, and state Sen. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, joined military leaders in recognizing the group before its deployment.

“Your service reminds us all that citizenship comes with a responsibility that freedom requires vigilance and ordinary people can rise to the extraordinary challenges,” Cabello said to the soldiers. “May your mission be successful, your impact be lasting and your return be safe.”

The company received its deployment orders on May 2, giving it about five months to prepare for the mission. That’s a short window, but the group is ready, said Captain Charles Smith III, who is the commander of the unit.

“I stand here today with absolute confidence that we are ready to succeed in our mission,” he said during the ceremony. “This mission is a duty, but it’s also a privilege. We will execute our mission with excellence, and when we return it will be with pride.”

Smith also thanked the families in attendance for their sacrifices at home while the group is deployed. Smith noted that he will likely miss the birth of his second child. Pritzker also recognized Smith’s family and the others in attendance.

“Families bear a great burden for our soldiers and for our state, and I want you to know the entire state of Illinois is standing with you,” Pritzker said.

Those burdens are common for military families.

Sgt. Adrian Martinez of Aurora, for example, missed the birth of his middle daughter by four days during his first deployment seven years ago.

Sarah Martinez, Adrian’s wife, said Thursday’s ceremony was emotional for her and their daughters ages 10, 7 and 14 months.

“There’s big milestones that he’s going to miss,” she said. “It hurts them and they’re like, but why? Why does daddy have to leave? He’s doing a service to his country that he feels very strongly about, and we have to be there to support dad.”

“It’s amazing what he does,” Sarah Martinez said. “It’s amazing what he’s put toward everything in his career in the Army,”

Staff Sergeant Uriel Carmona, 33, of Glen Ellyn is making his first deployment. After Thursday’s ceremony, he soaked in some additional time with his 9-month-old son, Benjamin, before departing for the Armory.

“I’m excited and at the same time sad that I’m leaving my family behind, especially with a less than 1 year old,” he said. “I’m excited, nervous: definitely mixed emotions.”

His wife, Elisabeth Miwa, said it’s hard to let him go, especially as he’ll miss first first holidays and first birthdays for their son.

“We’re used to him going for a weekend at a couple weeks at a time for training,” she said. “This still doesn’t feel totally real.”

Soldiers left the gymnasium getting fist bumps and cheers from the students at Harlem High School.

Before their departure, Major General Rodney C. Boyd told soldiers to keep lines of communication open back home, and “make sure when you call them, you let them talk first.”

He told the soldiers to remember to be flexible, listen to their leadership and support their fellow team members.

“And the last thing,” Boyd said. “Go show the world that you’re trained, you’re disciplined and you’re proud to show that you’re from the state of Illinois.”

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas