Serving Our Country Chebanse.net

Please email us here if you know of someone serving in the armed forces. I'll be glad to Honor them with their information here.

I just wanted to let you know that I am a Class of 2000 graduate of Central High School. My wife Lara (Boudreau) Fatka graduated from there in 1998. I joined the Army Reserves in 2001. I attended Basic Combat Training at Ft. Jackson, SC in 2001, and Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Lee, VA in 2002. Upon completion of AIT I contracted as an ROTC Cadet at Eastern Illinois University. In 2003 I attend Warrior Forge (ROTC Advance Camp) at Ft. Lewis, WA, followed by Airborne School at Ft. Benning, GA. In December 2005 I graduated from EIU, and in January of 2006 I received my commission as an officer. I then attended the Engineer Officers Basic Course in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. I have been a member of the 380th QM CO, DET 1 in Terra Haute, IN, the 317th EN CO in Kankakee, IL, and the 376th EN DET FF HQ in Granite City, IL. I am currently with the 485th EN CO, deployed to Iraq for OIF. We arrived in Iraq in March, 2010. At home my family (wife and soon to be 3 kids) are members of Zion Lutheran Church in Chebanse, and I was the PE teacher at Chebanse Elementary. My wife teaches at Gardner-South Wilmington H.S. and we are expecting our third child any day now.

Elizabeth Harriet Fatka (our 3rd child) was born on April 20, 2010 at 7:50pm. 7 lbs 5 oz

Chad just recently was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 3. He has been deployed twice. He is Pilot-in-Command of UH60 Blackhawk Helicopters. He is stationed at Fort Hood, Tx. He joined the military in Feb. 2002. Chad is the son of Jim and Betty DuVall of Chebanse. Chad's address is 5419 Denmans Mtn Rd, Belton, Tx 76513

Son of Deborah Ewing and grandson of Joan Anderson.went to Fort Benning, Columbus, GA for infantry training and bootcamp in January 2004. He was stationed at Fort Drum NY, August 2005. He went to serve in Iraq and is stationed at Camp Liberty in Baghdad Iraq.

Update: Robert is currently in the Warrior Transitition Battalion located at Fort Benning, Ga for wounds sustained in Combat during my deployment to OIF III.
But will be getting Medically Retired here soon just waiting for my orders to get cut to come back home.. BTW thanks to the township for putting my name on the sign for when I came home this past summer it meant alot to see that! and the local PGR chapter that escorted me from Rantoul

Eric Baker

Son of Roger & Fran Baker, Eric has been with the Navy in San Diego, California for the past 6 years and just recently re-enlisted for 3 years. Eric married Jennifer Meents on September 13, 2003. Their address is 500 Telegraph Canyon Road, Chula Vista, CA 91910

Update: November 2007: Chief Electronics Technician (Submarines) Eric Baker is stationed aboard the USS Greeneville (SSN-772) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This is his third Los Angeles Class Nuclear Powered Attack Submarine as a member of the Communications Division. His previous ships were USS Salt Lake City (SSN-716) & USS Helena (SSN-725) out of San Diego. ETC(SS) Baker also spent 3 yr. at Naval Computers and Telecommunications Station San Diego as a member of the Technical Support Department. He has been on active duty since September 1997. He is married to Jennifer Meents from Chebanse and has two boys, Tyler and Noah.

Paul Zens

Sgt. Paul Zens, Illinois Army National Guard. While being assigned to the Kankakee Unit Co. C 1-131, Paul served two deployments. He was Force Protection for the Patriot Missiles in Kuwait and was assigned as Force Protection at Holenfels Germany due to the War on Terrorism. He has recently accepted a full time employment position with the Illinois National Guard at Marseilles, Illinois as the Logistics NCO. Paul is a 1999 Graduate of Central High School and the son of Don and Carol Zens of Chebanse

Nicholas Smith

Nic joined the National Guard (Kankakee Unit) in September, 1998 and completed his basic training in Missouri and San Antonio, Texas and then spent 3 weeks in Germany. In 2001 he transferred to the Texas unit and was deployed to Herminton, Oregon in 2002 for 1 year. They were to guard the Umittla Chemical Depot. While in Oregon, Nic attended PLDC in Ft. Lewis, Washington and became Sergeant. He also attended 10 weeks training in Virginia at MOSQ schooling graduating with high honors. Nic received an Army Achievement award in June, 2002 HHC 3D Battalion 144th (M) Infantry. Nic is employed with BBS Communication as a communication specialist and is the son of Judi Smith, Chebanse, IL Nic’s address is: 7118 Deerfield Dr, Rowlett, TX 75089

Jarred Laird

Jarred is the son of Larry & Jenny Laird of Chebanse. He graduated from Central High School in 1992 and went to KCC and then joined the National Guard. He joined the Marines and went to San Diego for basic training. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton as a ammo tech for eight years. He has been deployed to Okinawa twice serving six months each time. He served in Kuwait on a ten month tour and returned last fall. Jarred said he didn’t care to go to any beach soon after all that sand.

Adam Beherns

Adam is the son of Paul & Cindy Beherns of Chebanse. At the age of 18 Adam joined the Navy starting basic training in 1998 at Great Lakes, IL. After boot camp he attended Damage Control School at Great Lakes. In November, 1998 he graduated and received orders to the USS Osprey in Ingleside, Texas and then transferred to the USS Obannon ported in Mayport, FL. During the remaining 5 years of sea time he was deployed to several places in South America, and the Caribbean Islands. Adam has received numerous awards during this time. After finishing his time ~ in Florida he received orders to return to Navy Training Center in Great Lakes where he would teach the very same school he graduated from almost five years earlier and is now ranked Second Class Petty Officer. While in Florida, he met his wife Leslie. They have one daughter Makinria Grace and one son Morgan Adam.

M. Jill Hansen

Daughter of Jack & Martha Hansen, Jill is a Commander and has been with the Navy Nurse Corp for 21 years, with the last 6 years working in nursing education. Jill is currently in Port Smith, Va. and will be leaving for Kuwait on March 12, 2004.

Adam Jensen

Son of Dave & Joyce Jensen— Information to follow at a later date