Posted on 07/03/2008 8:21:46 PM PDT by mdittmar
[CHICAGO, IL] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today honored a fallen hero by presenting the family of Chicago Police Officer Michael Gordon with the 15 Army decorations Officer Gordon earned as a member of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. Officer Gordon was killed in the line of duty on August 8, 2004 when a drunk driver ran a red light and sideswiped his squad car.
After nearly four years of dealing with bureaucratic red tape to acquire the honors, Officer Gordon’s family turned to Senator Durbin’s office for help. Officer Gordon’s father, Robert, contacted the Department of Defense shortly after Michael’s death, but was told he didn’t have the proper records and was directed to a series of agencies over the next several years. Senator Durbin’s office contacted the Veterans Administration to secure the medals.
“Officer Michael Gordon served his city and his country honorably,” Durbin said. “I’m pleased that my office could help his family cut through the bureaucratic red tape to acquire these awards. Officer Gordon put his life on the line for his country and made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty for the city he loved.”
Today, Officer Gordon’s family was presented with the following honors at Gold Star Families Memorial and Park near Soldier Field: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal & Oak Leaf Cluster Bronze, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces, Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Expert Badge & Rifle Bar, Army Lapel Button, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Driver and Mechanic Badge.
Before he became a police officer, Michael Gordon served as a military police officer in Bosnia and in the demilitarized zone in Korea. He then joined the Riverside police force and eventually joined Chicago’s force in 2002.
Officer Gordon is survived by his wife Guin, sons Malik and Cullen, daughter Grace, stepson Michael Lopez, father Robert, mother Carol, and brothers Robert and John.
I don’t understand why his military honors were not taken care of when he earned them during his service.
Turban Durban is still a dollop of septic tank sludge.
I wouldn’t send him on an errand to buy a newspaper.
Yes this is a strange story. Prayer go out to the family of this good guy. These are fairly low level awards to be given out by a Senator. These type of awards were usually given out by the C.O. at Quarters. What happened to the originals?
No men are angels. There isn't much difference between a citizen and a soldier.
/johnny
My guess is the deceased had already been presented these medals as earned (OS Service medal? Occupational Badges?).
Turbin Durbin is grand standing!
Turban shouldn’t be able to touch a medal, never name hand it out. He has no honor!
But they aren't official until they hit my DD-214.
/johnny
Read the list. Army Service Ribon? Expert Badge & Rifle Bar?
What's stopping you? Gitter done!
/johnny
I understand now that Durbin was just running for the headline. What a shame that he, of all people, cashed in for publicity. I am saddened by this but prayers for this soldier who came back and worked so hard on the civil side.
I don't like scumsucking politicians like Durbin.
But.... Attention to Orders.... and reading citations... that's above politics.
Let the poor guy get a decent memorial, (verbally)snipe at the politician later, and be grateful for real heros. They would be overseas at the moment.
/johnny
I hold no politician in more disdain than Dick Durbin. None.
I agree. The objective was done and a real hero got what he deserved after 4 LOOOOOng years, with help from a true POS politician.
Something fishy here. Looks like they were just a reissue of awards and decs that were lost. They were all awarded at different times, so it is hard to believe that the system screwed up on every one of those which were issued over a period of several years.
It is surprising that Durbin would be involved with someone whom he had previously called a Nazi.
Perhaps his family is of the Cindy Sheehan ilk, but that's not for us to second-guess, and especially not ordinary civilians like me. Durbin we can let pass on this one thing, since he will certainly give us many reasons to rightly excoriate him tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after. And we will. Right is right, and I don't refer to party politics or religion.
Happy Independence Day, and thanks to all the long line of heros who keep us the land of the free and still make us the home of the brave!
“Turbin Durbin is grand standing!”
Exactly!
I still have all my awards pinned on the Class A’s that I havn’t worn for several years now.
Dems, and certainly not the vulgar Durbin, should never be allowed to politicize something like this to their advantage.
But the Bush administration allows it all the time!
HOPE for CHANGE in Illinois.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2040534/posts?page=279#279
Good Morning Dad,
My appointment book is filling fast as volunteer coordinator, Illinois Veterans for Dr. Steve Sauerberg, MD. Illinois veterans interested to help organize at the “grassroots level,” please call me at: 708-275-0004, or josephbenning@yahoo.com for e-mail. We’re building a statewide, non-partisan grassroots veterans network at the County level.
Please, forward-away to your e-mail pals, especially to reach our young Illinois soldiers/sailors deployed or back from deployments. We seek veterans who made personal sacrifices for the US Constitution, which upheld blabbermouth Senator Durbin’s 1st Amendment right to make an absolute fool of his self in Washington; but didn’t appreciate the senior Illinois Senator giving aid and comfort to our enemies while we were at war.
So, whatever anyone does to assist, it will help. Host a yard sign, place a bumper sticker on your car, wear a Sauerberg for Senate campaign button, stuff envelopes, make telephone calls, canvass neighborhoods, drive car pool shuttles, update canvassing maps, serve goodies to volunteers, etc. There’s something for everyone when sending an incumbent career politician to the unemployment line.
Contact the office: 630-424-3490, Fax: 630-424-3495
E-mail the office: campaign@sauerberg2008.com
Campaign Office is located 1919 S. Highland Ave , Suite D-127, Lombard , IL 60148
PO BOX 667 for mailing.
Or on the web: http://www.sauerberg2008.com/
We’re working upon regularly updating the website, answering additional questions as they concern Dr. Sauerberg’s campaign platform.
Love,
Joe
Well he is high on my list but there are a few that tie.
Harry, Teddy, Schummer, Kerry, Boxer, and that is the Senate.
Now in the House there are: Maxine and Maxine; Did I mention Maxine.
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