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2LT Dustin Moore received his gold bars from his parents, Don Moore and Marilynn Paluch.
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2LT Steven Berry's parents, Michele and Michael Berry, pinned on his gold bars.
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2LT Ian McDowell with his parents Kent and Kathy McDowell, who pinned on his gold bars.
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2LT Lucas Flider and his parents Jean and Robert Flider, who pinned on his gold bars.
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2LT Drake Brewster with his grandfather, Lavern Brewster, and his father, Robert Brewster, who pinned on his gold bars.
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2LT Matthew Canon with his mother, Dixie Canon, and his brother, Scott Canon, who pinned on his gold bars.
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2LT William Hayes with his father, retire Maj. Monte Hayes, and his mother, Angie Hayes, who pinned on his gold bars.
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2LT Nathon Fox is with his grandmother, Jacquey Fox, and his grandfather, retired Air Force Master Sgt. Owen Martin Fox, who pinned on his gold bars.
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2LT Adam Kubatzke with his father, Kelly Kubatzke, and his grandfather, Bill Kubatzke, who pinned on his gold bars.
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Spring 2009 Army Commissioning at Western Illinois University

June 8, 2009

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MACOMB, IL - - Nine Western Illinois University Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets were commissioned second lieutenants in the U.S. Army during a May 15 ceremony on Western's campus. Five of the new officers received active duty commissions.

Western's ROTC award-winning program was established in 1968. The University's military science department has a longstanding tradition of excellence, having been named the recipient of the General Douglas MacArthur Award for the best ROTC battalion in the Midwest in 1994, 2001 and 2002. The Leatherneck Battalion has also been honored as the Best ROTC Battalion in the Brigade in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Individuals who took the Oath of Office of a commissioned officer are listed below by Illinois counties and out of state:

COOK COUNTY
ORLAND PARK - - Dustin Lee Moore, a political science major who graduated with high honors (Magna Cum Laude), received a reserve duty commission in the Military Intelligence Corps. 2LT Moore will attend Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course at Fort Huachuca (AZ) and then proceed to his first duty assignment with the Illinois Army National Guard in Chicago. Moore's parents, Don Moore and Marilynn Paluch, pinned on his gold bars.

During the Spring 2009 Bulldog Battalion awards ceremony, Moore was presented the National Defense Industrial Association Award, which recognizes the senior cadet who has continuously demonstrated excellence in military and academic studies. Moore was also recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate (DMG) by the Department of the Army. The designation placed him in the top 20 percent of cadets in the nation based on academic and military training.

DUPAGE COUNTY
DOWNERS GROVE - - Steven Michael Berry, a graduate of the Board of Trustees Bachelor of Arts degree program, received an active duty commission in the Military Intelligence Corps, with a branch detail to the Infantry. Berry will initially serve as cadre at the leader's training course at Fort Knox (KY). He will attend the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, GA and then proceed to his first duty assignment in Alaska. Berry's parents, Michele and Michael Berry, pinned on his gold bars.

During the Spring 2009 Bulldog Battalion awards ceremony, Berry received the American Legion Gold Medal Award for military excellence, presented to the senior cadet who demonstrates outstanding qualities in academics, military leadership, self-discipline, character and citizenship. Berry also received the Soldier/Statesman Scholarship, which is given to the senior cadet who possesses leadership qualities, scholarship and military bearing.

FULTON COUNTY
CANTON - - Ian Kent McDowell, a law enforcement and justice administration major, received a reserve duty commission in the Military Intelligence Corps. He will attend Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course at Fort Huachuca (AZ) and then proceed to his first duty assignment with the United States Army Reserve in Springfield (IL). McDowell's parents, Kent and Kathy McDowell, pinned on his gold bars.

During the Spring 2009 Bulldog Battalion awards ceremony, McDowell received the Department of Army Superior Cadet Award, which is given to a cadet in each military science class who demonstrates outstanding leadership and academic performance throughout the school year. He also was recognized as the outstanding WIU Ranger for 2008-2009 school year. His name will be placed on the Fogelman Memorial plaque, which was established in honor of the late cadet, Eddie Fogleman, who was killed in action in Vietnam while serving in the 101st Airborne Division.

MACON COUNTY
MOUNT ZION - - Lucas Frank Flider, a law enforcement and justice administration major, received an active duty commission in the Military Intelligence Corps, with a branch detail to the Infantry. 2LT Flider will initially serve as cadre at the Leader's Trainging Course at Fort Knox (KY). He will attend Infantry Office Basic Course at Fort Benning (GA) and then proceed to his duty assignment at Fort Hood (TX). Flider's parents, Jean Flider and Robert Flider, pinned on his gold bars.

During the Spring 2009 Bulldog Battalion awards ceremony, Flider was presented the Veterans of Foreign Wars award, which is given to the senior cadet who has demonstrated outstanding qualities in academics, military leadership, capability and diligence in ROTC.

McDONOUGH COUNTY
BLANDINSVILLE (and JACKSONVILLE, FL) - - Drake Edward Brewster, a physics major who graduated with high academic honors (Magna Cum Laude) and as an Honors Scholar, received an active duty commission in the Military Intelligence Corps, with a branch detail to the Armor Corps.

2LT Brewster will initially serve as cadre at Warrior Forge at Fort Lewis (WA). He will attend the Armor Officer Basic Course at Fort Knox (KY) and then proceed to his first duty assignment at Fort Benning (GA). Pinning on Brewster's gold bars were his grandfather, Lavern Brewster, and his father, Robert Brewster.

In Fall 2008, Brewster was a national winner of the Armed Forces Communication and Electronic Association Educational Foundation (AFCEA) scholarship. He received a $4,000 Medal of Honor Scholarship from the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation in partnership with AFCEA, and he was placed in a one-week "Future Hero" experience tour in the U.S. Army Signal Center at Fort Gordon (GA), where he shadowed senior military leaders. Prior to that experience, Brewster served an internship with the Army Science Board that included two weeks in Washington, D.C. and two weeks in Califormia.

During the Spring 2009 Bulldog Battalion awards ceremony, Brewster was recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate (DMG) by the Department of the Army. The designation placed him in the top 20 percent of cadets in the nation based on academic and military training.

Brewster also received the George C. Marshall Award and the Colonel Leo W. Manning Outstanding ROTC Cadet Award. The Marshall award is presented annually to the top senior cadet in each of Cadet Command's programs whose outstanding accomplishments in military studies best exemplify the private life and public career of General of the Army George C. Marshall. The cadets met in Lexington, VA, for the April 15-18 George C. Marshall ROTC Awards Seminar, which included noted military and civilian speakers in seminar and round table discussions.

The Manning award is named in honor of the late colonel, who provided the foundation of Western Illinois University's military science department as its first professor of military science from 1968-1970. The award is presented annually to the top graduating senior based on academic and ROTC accomplishment as well as extracurricular activity and community involvement. The cadet must also be branched combat arms or Military Police. It includes a stipend.

Brewster is a 2005 graduate of Duncan U. Fletcher High School in Neptune Beach (FL).

MACOMB - - Matthew James Canon, a finance major, received an active duty commission in the Signal Corps, with a branch detail to the Armor Corps. 2LT Canon will initially serve as cadre at Warrior Forge at Fort Lewis (WA). He will attend the Armor Officer Basic Course at Fort Knox (KY) and then proceed to his first duty assignment at Fort Benning (GA). Pinning on Canon's gold bars were his mother, Dixie Canon, and his brother, Scott Canon.

During the Spring 2009 Bulldog Battalion awards ceremony, Canon received the Military Order of the Purple Heart award, which is given to the senior cadet who has maintained a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the previous semester and has shown the most improvement in leadership and military skills.

OGLE COUNTY
FORRESTON - - Adam Ray Kubatzke, a law enforcement and justice administration major, received an active duty commission in the Military Police Corps. 2LT Kubatzke will initially serve as cadre at Warrior Forge at Fort Lewis (WA). He will attend the Military Police Officer Basic Course at Fort Leonard Wood (MO) then proceed to his first duty assignment at Fort Leavenworth (KS). Kubatzke's grandfather, Bill Kubatzke, and his father, Kelly Kubatzke, pinned on his gold bars.

During the Spring 2009 Bulldog Battalion awards ceremony, Kubatzke received the American Veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam award, given to cadets who have shown the most diligence in the discharge of duty and the willingness to serve God and their country.

ROCK ISLAND COUNTY
MOLINE - - William Patrick Hayes, a history major, received a reserve duty commission in the Infantry. 2LT Hayes will attend the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning (GA) and then proceed to his first duty assignment with the Iowa Army National Guard in Dubuque (IA). Pinning on Hayes' gold bars were his father, retired Maj. Monte Hayes, and his mother, Angie Hayes.

During the Spring 2009 Bulldog Battalion awards ceremony, Hayes received the United Services Automobile Association Spirit award, which is presented to the senior cadet who best represents the concept of "service" to the community or ROTC unit. The award includes a mantle clock.

OUT OF STATE

IOWA
KEOKUK - - Nathon Wade Fox, a graduate of the Board of Trustees Bachelor of Arts degree program, received a reserve duty commission in the Engineer Corps. 2LT Fox will attend the Engineer Officer Basic Course at Fort Leonard Wood (MO) and then proceed to his first duty assignment with the United States Army Reserve at Creston (IA). Pinning on Fox's gold bars were his grandfather, retired Air Force Master Sgt. Owen Martin Fox, and his grandmother, Jacquey Fox.

During the Spring 2009 Bulldog Battalion awards ceremony, Fox received the Gold Medal Reserve Officers' Association award, which is presented to the senior cadet who has demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership, moral character and high aptitude for military service.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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