Jack Amberg - Thank You - Well Done
This entry was posted on October 1, 2008 7:42 AM and is filed under Heroes.
I want to congratulate Lt. Col. Jack Amberg for a job well done. Today is Jack's first official day as a retired Army Lt. Col.
So, what do you think a man who served his country for 26 year might do on his first day as a civilian? Take the day off? Sleep in? Had breakfast in bed? Probably not. He most likely had breakfast with his family in Naperville, Illinois, kissed his wife goodbye as he sipped his last drop of coffee, drove the kids to school and headed to the office. I'll lay odds that Jack didn't remember it was his first day out of uniform until he looked at the calendar on the wall of his office.
Jack is a personal friend of mine. I only met Jack 3-years ago, but sometimes it only takes that one meeting, and you are bonded for life; that's the way it is with Jack ... I think that's the way it is with most people who have met Jack throughout his long military career.
Raised in Berwyn, Illinois, Jack's dad gave him a choice when the young, headstrong Jack turned 18 ... his dad (a Korean War Veteran) said; " Jack get into college, get a job or join the military ... tomorrow!!!"
School didn't appeal to Jack at that time, so after interviewing with four of the five branches of our military, Jack enlisted in the Army. As fate sometimes plays an important role in our lives, Jack's life was no different. An Army officer suggest to the young recruit that he test for West Point Army Academy. Jack tested and passed!
LTC Jack Amberg speaks in Daley Plaza in Chicago.
I can go on and on about Jack and his love and dedication to our Armed Forces and Veterans, but below is an official declaration, from the State of Illinois, about Jack Amberg.
It reads;
State Of Illinois General Assembly
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel John W. Amberg II entered the United States Army in 1982 and completed basic training at Fort Knox earning the Military Occupational Skill, 19D, Cavalry Scout; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel John Amberg holds a Bachelor's degree in Leadership from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a Master's degree in Business Administration from Eastern New Mexico University; and
WHEREAS, He is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, the Public Affairs Officer's Course, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, the Field Artillery Basic and Advanced Courses, and holds the Airborne Badge; and
WHEREAS, Serving as an Artillery Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Amberg was stationed at Fort Hood (1995) and participated in an operational deployment to Kuwait; he also served as the deputy operations officer for the Artillery Battalion and was deployed to fight forest fires in Idaho and Montana in support of the United States Forest Service; and
WHEREAS, Prior to his assignment at Fort Hood, Lieutenant Colonel Amberg served as a Gunnery Instructor for the Officer Basic Course at the Artillery School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Amberg also was deployed to Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1991) from Neu Ulm, Germany as part of the 1st Infantry Division andVII
WHEREAS, From 1997 to 2000 Lieutenant Colonel Amberg taught Military Leadership at the Reserve Officer Training Course (ROTC), New Mexico Military Institute at Roswell, New Mexico, and assisted the University in commissioning over 150 officers, the second largest commissioning source for United States Army officers, other than West Point; and
WHEREAS, In 2001, Lieutenant Colonel Amberg attended the Command and General Staff College and then was assigned to the United States Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC), Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he served as the Secretary of the General Staff (SGS), and was responsible for the management of all administrative records for the students and staff for the Deputy Commandant;and
WHEREAS, From January 2003 to March 2003, Lieutenant Colonel Amberg was deployed to Zamboanga City, Republic of the Philippines, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; during the deployment, Lieutenant Colonel Amberg served as the principal PAO for the Joint Special Operation Task Force Philippines as they conducted humanitarian assistance and military missions for the United States Army; and
WHEREAS, He was the Chief of Public Affairs for the United States Army Japan/9th Theater Support Command at Camp Zama, Japan; Lieutenant Colonel Amberg served as the principle PAO for the 2004 military desertion trial of the former Korean War Army Sergeant Charles Jenkins; Lieutenant Colonel Amberg, serving as the Army spokesperson, assured that the public understood the military trial was merely the United States Army enforcing the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) with one of its own; the case was internationally significant due to the personal interest of Japan's Prime Minister, Jerinichi Koizumi; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Amberg arrived in Chicago in July of 2005 and participated in the Army's Training with Industry Program and has now retired as Midwest Director, United States Army Public Affairs, after serving 26 years in the military; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Amberg played an instrumental role as a liaison between the United States Army and an array of non-profit charitable organizations dedicated to serving
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Amberg was central to the successful re-launch of the Purple Heart Cruise, a Chicago institution dedicated to serving the veterans of Illinois and America and provided assistance, advice, and council to the leadership of the hosting organization, Kup's Purple Heart Foundation; and
WWhereas, Lieutenant Colonel Amberg will officially retire from the military on September 2008; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate and recognize Lieutenant Colonel John Amberg for his dedication to the citizens of Illinois, for having accomplished all missions tasked to him and his respective units, and for having served this State and the nation honorably for 26 years and that we declareSeptember 30, 2008
WOW! I hope every in Illinois enjoyed a happy "John Amberg Day" yesterday. I know the White Sox did!
Jack Amberg is now working with The McCormick Foundation as the Senior Director of Veteran Affairs.
Best of luck Jack ... you're the best!
So, what do you think a man who served his country for 26 year might do on his first day as a civilian? Take the day off? Sleep in? Had breakfast in bed? Probably not. He most likely had breakfast with his family in Naperville, Illinois, kissed his wife goodbye as he sipped his last drop of coffee, drove the kids to school and headed to the office. I'll lay odds that Jack didn't remember it was his first day out of uniform until he looked at the calendar on the wall of his office.
Jack is a personal friend of mine. I only met Jack 3-years ago, but sometimes it only takes that one meeting, and you are bonded for life; that's the way it is with Jack ... I think that's the way it is with most people who have met Jack throughout his long military career.
Raised in Berwyn, Illinois, Jack's dad gave him a choice when the young, headstrong Jack turned 18 ... his dad (a Korean War Veteran) said; " Jack get into college, get a job or join the military ... tomorrow!!!"
School didn't appeal to Jack at that time, so after interviewing with four of the five branches of our military, Jack enlisted in the Army. As fate sometimes plays an important role in our lives, Jack's life was no different. An Army officer suggest to the young recruit that he test for West Point Army Academy. Jack tested and passed!
LTC Jack Amberg speaks in Daley Plaza in Chicago.
I can go on and on about Jack and his love and dedication to our Armed Forces and Veterans, but below is an official declaration, from the State of Illinois, about Jack Amberg.
It reads;
State Of Illinois General Assembly
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel John W. Amberg II entered the United States Army in 1982 and completed basic training at Fort Knox earning the Military Occupational Skill, 19D, Cavalry Scout; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel John Amberg holds a Bachelor's degree in Leadership from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a Master's degree in Business Administration from Eastern New Mexico University; and
WHEREAS, He is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, the Public Affairs Officer's Course, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, the Field Artillery Basic and Advanced Courses, and holds the Airborne Badge; and
WHEREAS, Serving as an Artillery Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Amberg was stationed at Fort Hood (1995) and participated in an operational deployment to Kuwait; he also served as the deputy operations officer for the Artillery Battalion and was deployed to fight forest fires in Idaho and Montana in support of the United States Forest Service; and
WHEREAS, Prior to his assignment at Fort Hood, Lieutenant Colonel Amberg served as a Gunnery Instructor for the Officer Basic Course at the Artillery School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Amberg also was deployed to Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1991) from Neu Ulm, Germany as part of the 1st Infantry Division and
WHEREAS, From 1997 to 2000 Lieutenant Colonel Amberg taught Military Leadership at the Reserve Officer Training Course (ROTC), New Mexico Military Institute at Roswell, New Mexico, and assisted the University in commissioning over 150 officers, the second largest commissioning source for United States Army officers, other than West Point; and
WHEREAS, In 2001, Lieutenant Colonel Amberg attended the Command and General Staff College and then was assigned to the United States Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC), Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he served as the Secretary of the General Staff (SGS), and was responsible for the management of all administrative records for the students and staff for the Deputy Commandant;and
WHEREAS, From January 2003 to March 2003, Lieutenant Colonel Amberg was deployed to Zamboanga City, Republic of the Philippines, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; during the deployment, Lieutenant Colonel Amberg served as the principal PAO for the Joint Special Operation Task Force Philippines as they conducted humanitarian assistance and military missions for the United States Army; and
WHEREAS, He was the Chief of Public Affairs for the United States Army Japan/9th Theater Support Command at Camp Zama, Japan; Lieutenant Colonel Amberg served as the principle PAO for the 2004 military desertion trial of the former Korean War Army Sergeant Charles Jenkins; Lieutenant Colonel Amberg, serving as the Army spokesperson, assured that the public understood the military trial was merely the United States Army enforcing the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) with one of its own; the case was internationally significant due to the personal interest of Japan's Prime Minister, Jerinichi Koizumi; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Amberg arrived in Chicago in July of 2005 and participated in the Army's Training with Industry Program and has now retired as Midwest Director, United States Army Public Affairs, after serving 26 years in the military; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Amberg played an instrumental role as a liaison between the United States Army and an array of non-profit charitable organizations dedicated to serving
both veteran and current members of the United States Midwest area, and was vital in providing guidance to these organizations; andWHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Amberg was central to the successful re-launch of the Purple Heart Cruise, a Chicago institution dedicated to serving the veterans of Illinois and America and provided assistance, advice, and council to the leadership of the hosting organization, Kup's Purple Heart Foundation; and
WWhereas, Lieutenant Colonel Amberg will officially retire from the military on September 2008; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate and recognize Lieutenant Colonel John Amberg for his dedication to the citizens of Illinois, for having accomplished all missions tasked to him and his respective units, and for having served this State and the nation honorably for 26 years and that we declare
WOW! I hope every in Illinois enjoyed a happy "John Amberg Day" yesterday. I know the White Sox did!
Jack Amberg is now working with The McCormick Foundation as the Senior Director of Veteran Affairs.
Best of luck Jack ... you're the best!
Comments
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October 1, 2008 1:26 PM
LTC Randi Steffy wrote:
Joe,
I am proud to also call Jack Amberg my friend.
For most people, 26 years of selfless service to his country would be enough, but I know what a difficult decision this was for Jack to finally hang up the uniform. I think the fact that he had the opportunity to work with an organization he believed in and remain in the city he loves helped soften the blow.
I wish Jack and his family all the best.
Your Army Public Affairs family misses you!
LTC Randi Steffy
Reply to this -
October 1, 2008 7:37 PM
Col Dennis Arinello wrote:
CONGRADULATIONS Jack on your many years of service - WELL DONE! I enjoyed reading Joe's write-up ... From one retired officer to another - I can relate to the ultimatum your dad gave you many years ago ... I got the same pitch!
Enjoy retired life and best of luck in your new position!
Sincerely,
Colonel Dennis M. Arinello, US Marine Corps, Ret
Reply to this -
October 1, 2008 7:39 PM
Marty Smith III wrote:
WELL DONE Jack, you're one of the best.
Semper Fidelis,
Marty Smith III
Reply to this -
October 1, 2008 7:42 PM
Bobby Matthews Jr wrote:
Jack,
Thanks for your service now and in the future. Well Done.
Airborne, All the Way!
Bobby Matthews Jr.
Reply to this -
October 3, 2008 3:35 PM
Ryan Jazak wrote:
My best wishes to you sir on your retirement. I, along with many Americans thank you for your service to our great country. Continued blessing on you in your future endeavors. God Bless.
Ryan Jazak
Proud brother of GySgt Eric Jazak USMC
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