Happy Memorial Day!

Posted by Tami Martin on Posted on in News

Happy Memorial Day!

You hear this sentiment from co-workers, store tenders, people you pass on the streets, and all-over social media; this phrase proves to be a conundrum for those who understand the true meaning of Memorial Day, a day of reflection, respect, and remembrance for those who gave their life for their country; a day that should not be trivialized with the standard greeting of celebratory frivolity. Often confused with Veterans Day, which is observed on November 11 annually and pays respect to and celebrates the service of all U.S. military Veterans, Memorial Day had its start immediately following the Civil War, as a way to honor and remember all those who died while fighting for our country, Union or Confederate, one and all.

First dubbed as Decoration Day in reference to the act of leaving flowers and flags on soldiers’ graves, this day has always been thought to have its first official commemoration on May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery. Here more than 5,000 participants gathered to honor the fallen and took part in decorating more than 20,000 graves of Union and Confederate soldiers. A recent discovery, in 1990, produced a box of First Decoration Day artifacts and manuscripts found in the depths of the Houghton Library at Harvard University; this find shed a new light on the earliest known celebration of Memorial Day which actually occurred on May 1, 1965, in Charleston, South Carolina by newly freed African Americans.

Transformed into a prison for Union soldiers, the Washington Racecourse and Jockey Club of Charleston had a mass grave behind the complex for the bodies of the deceased prisoners who lost their lives due to the horrific conditions of the camp. Once the Confederate army abandoned the city, it left a population of newly freed slaves who immediately took on the job of ensuring these fallen heroes were commemorated through an honorable burial. A cemetery was built, and the bodies were interred in proper burial plots with an inscription on the surrounding fence “Martyrs of the Race Course.” On that first day in May 1965, thousands of freed slaves along with white missionaries gathered together to honor the fallen soldiers. The ceremony included a parade, singing, formation marches and prayers; all to pay homage to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

On May 29, 2023, we honor our fallen soldiers from all U.S. violent conflicts and wars, who have given their lives for their country, please give of yourself; volunteer for a military organization, place flowers or flags on military graves, slow down your everyday enough to remember, reflect, and respect the memory of these heroes, these warriors who gave everything so we are able to live in a country where we are safe and free. This Memorial Day, pause for these warriors, share the story of the history of this day so that others may also take a pause to remember why we are able to call our home, the United States of America; it is not without the greatest sacrifice of all – of so many. Good Memorial Day to everyone, may we never forget-

Honor Flight Fundraiser

Posted by Tami Martin on Posted on in News

The Argonne Veterans ERG is raising funds to support Honor Flight Chicago.

Honor Flight Chicago’s mission is to Honor, Thank, and Inspire by building awareness and appreciation of the debt of gratitude America owes its veterans for their service and sacrifice for our nation.

One of the ways this is accomplished is by offering veterans an opportunity for a one day event to fly from Chicago to Washington D.C. and back in order to visit national war memorials and other military themed sites. Every flight is a beautiful event.

Please consider contributing to the fundraiser at GoFundMe.

Veteran Spotlight February 2023 – Tom Costello

Posted by Tami Martin on Posted on in Uncategorized

Name: Tom Costello

Service: United States Marine Corps Reserve 2008-2018

Positions: Data Systems Technician, Data Systems Chief, Maritime Communications Watch Officer

Assignments:

  • 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division, Chicago, Illinois
  • Headquarters & Service Battalion, Marine Forces Pacific, Camp Smith, Hawaii

I enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve as soon as I was eligible in high school and left for bootcamp a few weeks after graduation. At the time, there was only one job involving computers available at the Chicago-based unit I was joining. As a life-long computer nerd, I wantedto learn military-grade cybersecurity and knew that position would allow me to do just that.

While many people think of the Armed Forces Reserve as a “one weekend a month, two weeks a year” obligation, it often becomes a much larger commitment. At a high level, being in the reserves versus active duty allowed me to join the Marines whilealso starting college and eventually maintaining a full-time civilian job. At the Chicago-based unit, it was not uncommon for some reserve weekends to be 3-4 days long. As a Data Systems Technician at an infantry battalion, almost everything related to technology was my responsibility.

During these long weekends throughout the Midwest, my main priority was setting up and operationalizing the “Combat Operations Center”, a tent full of computers linked to radios at a remote location. The unit’s leadership relied on this tent full of technology for sharing ground combat plans with hundreds of infantry Marines in the unit, communicating with supply & air support units, and maintaining field medical records. Setting up this center required a wide range of information technology skills.While we always benefitted from the climate controlled tents to keep equipment running (much to the disapproval of our friends in infantry roles), we would definitely feel the proverbial heat from commanding officers if they were unable to use equipment as expected. Despite those stresses, I truly believe I had one of the best roles in the entire USMC Reserve.

In 2011, around three years into my enlistment, our unit received a VSAT satellite kit that completely changed the unit’s data needs during our training periods. In addition to my “day job” as a full time student completing my bachelor’s degree in computer network technology from Davenport University, I aimed to learn everything I could about satellite computer networking to support the success of the unit. All that hard work paid off in July 2013 during a large training exercise in the middle of the Mojave Desert. By that time, I became the unit’s Data Systems Chief and my small team of reservist data Marines were able to get our satellite dish working before any other unit in the exercise. Although it wasn’t a competition, it also was no small feat in those extreme heat conditions. We ended up visiting many larger reservist units to help fix their satellite network equipment during that trip, which was funny as usually the infantry battalions are the ones receiving assistance from those larger units, not the other way around.

I briefly left that Chicago unit to focus on completing my master’s degree in Information Resource Management from Central Michigan University, but returned in 2015 to join them on a trip to South Korea. Everything went wrong on the satellite network gear while we were overseas, but training with the Republic of Korea Marines was one of the best memories I had in the military. 2016 was very odd as I had to transfer out of the Chicago unit to re-enlist, which led to me join a much larger Hawaii-based unit after getting promoted to Staff Sergeant. I spent most of July 2018 at Pearl Harbor during the Navy’s RIMPAC exercise, serving as one of the Maritime Communications Watch Officers. Our responsibility was to ensure any communications equipment issues during the exercise got resolved quickly, which involved working alongside US Navy, Canadian Navy, New Zealand Navy and Chilean Navy colleagues. The first few days of the exercise were challenging as working an international maritime exercise was completely different than working at an infantry battalion, but it was fascinating to see such a different side of the Marine Corps.

Shortly after that RIMPAC 2018 exercise, I left the military to focus on my civilian career. Every day at Argonne I still use the fundamentals of computer networks learned during my initial USMC Data Systems Technician training nearly 15 years ago. Today, the Marine Corps has a wide variety of roles that involve computers and technology. The days of only one job involving computers at a unit are long gone; there’s even new units that exclusively focus on cybersecurity! I personally benefitted from growing my network security skillset by competing in the National Collegiate Cyberdefense Competition during college and am thrilled to see these types of competitions sponsored by the DOE and DOD. Here at Argonne, I do my best to pay it forward by supporting the DOE Cyberforce Competition. I love that I can even continue building up my radio knowledge that began in the Marines as a member of the W9ANL Amateur Radio Club.

As an 18 year-old at bootcamp and then Marine Corps Communication Electronics School, I had no idea where my military service would take me professionally. I’m happy and proud to have found my professional home at Argonne National Laboratory where the knowledge, skills, and mindsets I developed in the armed forces are valued and celebrated.

AAA-ERG and Veterans ERG Host Congressman Bobby Rush for Black History Month Fireside Chat

Posted by Tami Martin on Posted on in News

Argonne’s African American Employee Resource Group (AAA-ERG) and Veterans ERG hosted a Black History Month fireside chat on February 22, 2023. Diana Schmitt, co-founder of the Veterans ERG, coordinated the Chat. AAA-ERG President, Justin Breaux, moderated the Fireside Chat.

Fireside Chat Event recording.

Bobby Rush,Justin Breaux, Diana Schmitt

The conversation delved into Congressman Rush’s life of service as a Black Panther, soldier, and elected official, and his insights into mobilizing partners and people to bring about fundamental change for disenfranchised communities. During the Q&A session, he shared his experiences and insights on various topics.

When asked about what he has learned about mobilizing partners and people to bring about change, Congressman Rush stressed the importance of a strong faith and ability to form coalitions with people who share similar values and goals. He emphasized that change happens when people come together to demand it.

When asked about which piece of legislation he would like to be known for, Congressman Rush spoke of the Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Health Care Act (MBS Act). The Act was named after a woman who suffered from postpartum depression (PPD) and died by suicide in 2001, just three months after giving birth to her son.

The Act aims to increase research on postpartum depression (PPD) and improve the delivery of healthcare services for individuals experiencing PPD. Congressman Rush was a co-sponsor of the Act and played an important role in advocating for and helping to pass the legislation, which was signed into law in 2018.

Congressman Rush was also asked about how the Black experience has changed in terms of access and opportunity since he entered the military. He noted that while there have been some improvements, much work still needs to be done to address systemic racism and inequalities in society.

On the topic of energy sustainability and justice, Congressman Rush emphasized the importance of addressing climate change and promoting clean energy. He praised Argonne National Laboratory for its contributions to advancing energy sustainability and justice through research and development.

Congressman Rush also shared his experience of joining the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and co-founding the Illinois chapter of the Black Panthers. He discussed how his time in the Army influenced his decision to join these organizations and his desire to fight for justice and equality.

The event also featured a gift presentation by Diana Schmidt, co-founder of the Veterans ERG, to Congressman Rush, thanking him for his service and contributions to the country.

In conclusion, the Fireside Chat with Congressman Bobby Rush was an insightful and engaging conversation, shedding light on his life of service and providing valuable insights into social justice and activism. It was a great way to celebrate Black History Month and honor the contributions of Black leaders and activists throughout history.

Written By: Justin Breaux