WHEREAS, John Podczaski is the son of Greg Podczaski (the late Karen Podczaski) and step mother Carol Podczaski and brother to Elizabeth Podczaski; and
WHEREAS, John graduated from St. Edward Grammar School in 1995, and went on to complete his education at Gordon Tech High School in 1999. After high school, John worked at Keeler Pharmacy until it was closed by Bud Graber. Shortly thereafter in 2000, he joined the United States Army; and
WHEREAS, John Poczaski deployed to Mosul, Iraq in 2006, with the 3rd Brigade ofthe 2nd Infantry Division, 3rd Infantry Regiment 2ndD Battalion, C Company; and
WHEREAS, John's missions while in Mosul, Iraq were route clearing, search and destroy missions, patrolling the area around Mosul, Iraq, and providing security for high level officials during their meetings. They were the "QRS" - "Quick Reaction Force,"; and
WHEREAS, John was wounded on September 15, 2006, outside Mosul, Iraq, when his group was in their vehicle responding to another unit that was receiving small arms fire in Mosul, and while responding, a suicide vehicle was parked on the side ofthe road with a person in the vehicle; and
WHEREAS, When John's vehicle pulled up alongside the vehicle, the person inside the vehicle detonated the car. John sustained heavy injuries including second degree burns on his face, second and third degree burns to the right hand, second degree burns to the left hand, bone chips to the left elbow, and bone contusions on his left side from his hip to his knee. John also sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury and a sprained left ankle; and
WHEREAS, John was awarded a Purple Heart, national Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Global war on Terrorism medal, Korean defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign medal, Army Service Ribbon—three awards and Combat Action Badge; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the Chicago City Council, gathered here this eighth day of November 2012, do hereb...
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