Latest news with #BronzeStarMedal
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Huron post office honors late veteran with new name
SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — The post office in Huron will now hold a new name. Family members, friends and residents gathered to honor fallen Army First Lt. Thomas Michael Martin by renaming the Huron post office in his memory, a news release from the United States Postal Office said. Buffalo Chip announces rally lineup According to the USPS, Martin was killed in action on October 14, 2007, in Iraq. Martin was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart Medal posthumously. He's buried in the West Point National Cemetery and his hometown post office will be known as the First Lieutenant Michael Martin Post Office Building. Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds and Huron Mayor Mark Robish attended a ceremony at the post office in Huron along with family members. 'Tom began his life here, died in Iraq fighting for freedom that each of us enjoy every day. Our family is so proud that this beautiful historic facility in what Tom always felt was his hometown, will now be the First Lieutenant Michael Martin Post Office Building,' Martin's father Ed said in a news release. Martin was born October 10, 1980, in Huron and in 1998, he enlisted in the United States Army as a Field Artilleryman. In 2001, he was accepted for admission to the United States Military Academy at West Point, and later graduated from Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He majored in Military Science, commissioned as an Armor Officer and completed the course at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He reported to the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Richardson, Alaska where he assumed responsibility as the Sniper Platoon Leader and deployed with the unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in September 2006, a news release said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bivins chosen as Dixon's newest police chief
May 27—DIXON — Ryan Bivins will serve as Dixon's next police chief. Bivins will officially assume his new role during his swearing-in ceremony Monday, June 2, 2025. Bivins' selection was announced Tuesday, May 27, and follows the retirement of former chief Steve Howell on May 9. "It is with great pride and confidence that our committee recommends the appointment of Sgt. Ryan Bivins as the next Chief of Police," said Jon Mandrell, chairman of the selection committee who is vice president of Academics and Student Services at Sauk Valley Community College and a former police officer with a master's degree in law enforcement administration. "His distinguished record of service, integrity, professionalism, and compassion make him exceptionally well-suited to lead the department into the future." Bivins joined the Dixon Police Department in 2009, according to a news release. He has served in numerous roles, including patrol officer, detective, patrol sergeant, street crimes sergeant, detective sergeant, and hostage negotiator. He leads the department's Crisis Prevention Team, and was instrumental in launching the Police Chaplain Program, Peer Support Program, and First Responder Resiliency Program. He is a U.S. Army veteran, having served 10 years, including a combat tour in Afghanistan where he was promoted to captain and awarded the Bronze Star Medal. He holds a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice. The selection process was comprehensive, transparent, and designed to ensure the best outcome for the department and the community, according to Dixon City Manager Danny Langloss. He said two internal candidates — Bivins, who is a sergeant, and Sgt. Aaron Simonton — participated in the process. Langloss said both men are outstanding leaders and demonstrated that they are fully capable of leading the department. "We must first acknowledge how impressed our committee was with the exceptional talent within the Dixon Police Department," Mandrell said. "The candidates demonstrated remarkable professionalism, leadership, and a clear vision for the department. It was truly inspiring and empowering to witness their deep love and pride for the City of Dixon." Each candidate spent a month preparing a detailed management action plan, which included a full staffing and departmental structure analysis aligned with their vision. Day 1 of the in-process included formal presentations of these plans followed by a question-and-answer session. Day 2 involved extensive leadership interviews that evaluated philosophy, decision-making, competencies, and scenario-based responses. Alongside Mandrell and Langloss, the committee also included: * Dixon Public Schools Superintendent Margo Empen * Dixon Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Executive Director Amanda Wike * Chief People Officer for the City of Dixon Dennell Pluymert * Sauk Valley Police Academy Director Jason LaMendola * Dixon City Council Members Mike Venier and Mary Oros * Interim Police Chief Doug Lehman * Dixon Police Sgt. Chris Scott "We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Jon Mandrell for his time, vision, and outstanding leadership throughout this process," Langloss said. "He brought deep expertise, a calm and thoughtful presence, and a genuine passion for serving our community. This was an extremely difficult decision, and Dr. Mandrell's leadership ensured that the process was thorough, fair, and mission-focused." Chief Bivins wishes to recognize his wife, Jordan Bivins, and their four children — Carson, Brady, Bailey, and Marley — for being his unwavering support system. "They are my rock," Bivins said. "Their love, encouragement, and strength make everything I do possible." Bivins is a mission-driven servant leader whose philosophy, "Serving Beyond the Badge," is reflected in both his leadership and deep community relationships, Langloss said. Bivins' vision for the future of the department includes: * Expanded youth engagement and outreach * Community policing and trust-building * Root-cause crime strategies that promote rehabilitation and safety * Comprehensive addiction and mental health support * Nation-leading officer wellness and resiliency programs * Transparency and shared purpose with the community
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Granby resident honored during Military Appreciation Day at the State House in Boston
GRANBY, Mass. (WWLP) – Military Appreciation Day was held for the first time at the State House in Boston on Thursday. The state's highest lawmakers and military members, and their families, gathered in the House Chambers to be recognized. To show the state's appreciation, 135 veterans received governor's citations after being nominated by local legislators, including retired United States Army Staff Sergeant Michael Joseph Slater of Granby. First-ever Military Appreciation Day at the State House Staff Sergeant Slater was honored by State Senator Jake Oliveira from the Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester District. In a news release sent to 22News from the Office of State Senator Jake Oliveira, Staff Sergeant Slater served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Combat Engineer with the U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division. He earned the Bronze Star Medal and the Army Combat Action Badge. Tasked with route clearance—identifying and neutralizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to protect U.S. and allied forces—he routinely faced combat conditions that tested both skill and resolve. For his service, he earned the Bronze Star Medal and the Army Combat Action Badge. Since Slater's military retirement, he has developed outreach programs and expanded access to vital resources for local veterans. He continues this work at the Springfield Vet Center, providing one-on-one support to those who have served. 'It was a moving ceremony and an important reminder that service doesn't end when the uniform comes off,' said Senator Oliveira. 'Staff Sergeant Slater represents the very best of our military community—not only through his heroism in combat, but also through his deep, ongoing commitment to veterans across Western Massachusetts.' 'I was proud to stand alongside Staff Sergeant Slater at the State House as we paid tribute not just to his service, but to his continued leadership and care for others,' Senator Oliveira said. 'This event reminded us that our military heroes walk among us every day, in our neighborhoods, our town halls, and our veterans' centers, and that they continue to serve long after their tours of duty end.' Military celebrations and ceremonies will continue across the state through the weekend, and on Monday's Memorial Day. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kellogg Launches Veterans Program Honoring Stanley Cup-Winning CEO Alum
Florida Panthers CEO Matt Caldwell, Kellogg MBA Class of 2010, celebrates after his team won its first-ever Stanley Cup in a thrilling Game 7 finish in June 2024. The Panthers are vying for a repeat this spring Kellogg is putting serious weight behind its commitment to military veterans — with a program that carries the name of one of its own. Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management has launched the Matt Caldwell Veterans Program, a comprehensive initiative aimed at attracting, supporting, and connecting military veterans throughout their MBA journey and beyond. Named after Matt Caldwell, a decorated U.S. Army veteran and 2010 JD-MBA graduate who now serves as president and CEO of the Stanley Cup-winning Florida Panthers, the new program is one of the school's most visible investments yet in veteran talent. 'Veterans come to Kellogg with valuable experience in leadership, teamwork and the ability to thrive in an uncertain environment,' says Kellogg Dean Francesca Cornelli in a news release. 'As students, military veterans bring their unique background into the classroom, with a strong work ethic and desire to learn and lead. We are proud to expand the resources we offer to these important members of our community.' Caldwell's path — from West Point and military deployments in Iraq and Kosovo to the helm of a professional hockey franchise — makes him a fitting namesake for the program. A former Army captain, Caldwell earned a Bronze Star Medal along with several other honors before enrolling in Kellogg's joint JD-MBA program with the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. In 2016, he became the youngest CEO in professional sports at age 36, taking over the Florida Panthers and leading a dramatic transformation of the team's business and performance. Under his leadership, the Panthers have seen record-breaking growth in ticket sales, sponsorship revenue, and media viewership — culminating in back-to-back Prince of Wales Trophies and the franchise's first-ever Stanley Cup win in 2024. (The team is currently vying for a repeat, competing in the Eastern Conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes; they won Game 1 on May 20.) Caldwell credits his Kellogg education for helping him make the leap. 'I'm deeply honored by Kellogg's recognition and thrilled to see their strong commitment to supporting servicemembers as they transition to civilian careers through this new veterans program,' he says in a news release from the school. 'The Kellogg curriculum was instrumental in my own development after retiring from the military, and I hope this initiative inspires more veterans to pursue enrollment at Kellogg.' The new program will build on existing veteran-focused offerings at Kellogg, including access to career education, job interview prep, and a dedicated veterans association that supports students through the admissions and recruiting process. In recent years, Kellogg has secured over $6.2 million in philanthropic support for veteran scholarships, including the Janet and Craig Duchossois Veteran Scholarship Fund and other alumni-backed gifts, and offers dedicated admissions guidance, resume support, and career coaching tailored to military backgrounds. Kellogg also supports veteran families through the Joint Ventures Club and provides full-time students with access to on-site mental health services. The Matt Caldwell Veterans Program will take that foundation further. New offerings include expanded scholarship support to lower financial barriers for military applicants. It will also enhance veteran alumni engagement through mentorship and networking events. In addition, Kellogg will launch a newly formed Kellogg Veterans Council, bringing together prominent alumni to advise the program's growth. DON'T MISS and The post Kellogg Launches Veterans Program Honoring Stanley Cup-Winning CEO Alum appeared first on Poets&Quants.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jan. 6 Hero Goes After Trump's Big Payout to Rioter's Family
Rep. Jason Crow, one of several lawmakers forced to take cover during the Jan. 6 insurrection, harshly criticized the Trump administration's payout of millions to the family of Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt. On CNN Monday, the Colorado Democrat said the government's $5 million settlement in the Babbitt family's wrongful death lawsuit was another example of the president trying to 'rewrite history.' 'He doesn't want to acknowledge that he weaponized a mob and sent that mob to attack the Capitol to brutalize hundreds of officers, 140 of whom still have major injuries, five of whom died from their wounds and their trauma,' Crow told The Lead anchor Jake Tapper. 'We passed a bipartisan bill in 2022 to erect a plaque in honor of those officers. House Republicans and the speaker have refused to put that plaque up because they want to sweep it all under the rug,' Crow continued. 'We can't allow that to happen. And this is just part of that, right? They want to ignore that entire part of history because it's inconvenient to Donald Trump. And that includes pardoning hundreds and hundreds of violent felons who beat police officers, and sending them back out on our streets.' Crow, a U.S. Army Ranger who served in Afghanistan and Iraq and earned the Bronze Star Medal, was photographed on Jan. 6 comforting fellow lawmaker Rep. Susan Wild above the House floor as Trump's supporters tried to force their way inside. Babbitt was shot and killed by a Capitol Police officer while trying to get into the House Speaker's lobby. Despite multiple investigations finding no wrongdoing by the officer, Trump and some of his allies have insisted that Babbitt's death warranted prosecution. Last January, Babbitt's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking $30 million. In early May, the two sides agreed in principle to a settlement—a reversal of the Justice Department's stance on the matter. According to The Washington Post, about one-third of the settlement will go to the Babbitt family's attorneys, which include the conservative group Judicial Watch.
