DU PAGE COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY’S BIRKETT RECOGNIZED BY THE 200^th U.S. ARMY MILITARY POLICE COMMAND

WHEATON – On Sunday, July 19, 2009, DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett was honored by the Commanding General of the United State’s Army’s 200^th Military Police Command with the Commanding General’s Excellence Award.  Commander of the 200^th Military Police Command, Major General Adolph McQueen, presented the award to Birkett at a small gathering held before the Change of Command Ceremony which was at the 327^th Military Police Battalion’s headquarters in Arlington Heights.   

            Birkett, who was invited as guest speaker, briefly addressed the more than 400 U.S. Army reservists and guests stating “This is truly a unique ceremony that I am privileged to witness.  This Change of Command is between two men who in their civilian life serve and protect their community as police officers.  But these two men, Lieutenant Colonel John Faron and Lieutenant Colonel Dominic Wibe have also chosen to serve their country in the Army Reserve.  I would like to personally thank both of these men for their selfless dedication to our communities and to our country.”

            Since 2001, the 327^th Military Police Battalion has mobilized more than 1,000 Reserve Soldiers.  Comprised of citizen Soldiers from throughout the Midwest and the Chicago area, the 327^th Military Police Battalion has a history dating back to World War II.  The Battalion and its units have been called to active duty multiple times since the attack on our nation on September 11, 2001.  In 2004, the 327^th Military Police Battalion successfully completed a deployment to Bagrham, Afghanistan.  During that deployment, the battalion successfully operated Afghanistan’s largest detention facility and was responsible for safely housing captured terrorists.  In 2007, under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel John Faron, the battalion again answered the country’s call to active duty and completed a year-long deployment to Iraq. 

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