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A very important part of We Do Care’s Freedom Festival is the opportunity for the Northern Illinois community to hear first-hand from the military. In between our entertainment acts we will have the opportunity to learn how important our support is to the troops in addition to an receiving updates on the war on terrorism, from the following military personnel.
Brigadier General Roger R. Machut
United States Marines
 Brigadier General Machut was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Upon receiving an NROTC Scholarship, Colonel Machut attended Tulane University in New Orleans, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1982 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. As a company grade officer, he served with 7th Engineer Support Battalion at Camp Pendleton, as a platoon commander, Company XO and the Battalion Assistant Operations Officer. He further served aboard the USS Forrestal (CV-59), as the Marine Detachment Executive Officer / Guard Officer.
Joining the Marine Corps Reserve in 1988, he served in several billets with 4th Bridge Company and Engineer Support Company, 6th Engineer Support Battalion, to include tours as the Executive Officer for each company and as the Commanding Officer for 4th Bridge Company. From 1996 to 1998, and again from 2000 to 2002, he served as the Group Engineer Officer for 4th Force Service Support Group in New Orleans. In between, from 1998 to 1999, he was assigned as the Commanding Officer, Engineer Company C, 6th Engineer Support Battalion, Peoria. In 2002, he assumed command of the 6th Engineer Support Battalion in Portland, Oregon.
As a Lieutenant Colonel, Brigadier General Machut was in command of 6th Engineer Support Battalion when the entire battalion was activated in support of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. He led the battalion into Iraq at the commencement of the war, providing bulk fuel and water support for IMEF forces during the campaign to Baghdad. Returning the battalion back home after 7 months, he continued to prepare companies for further deployments in support of OIF. Promoted to Colonel in 2004, he relinquished command and was assigned as a Senior Assessment Officer with Mobilization Command, Marine Forces Reserve in Kansas City, Missouri.
Brigadier General Machut assumed command of 4th Marine Logistics Group Forward West, located at Camp Pendleton, California in October 2006. He relinquished that command in August 2008, and began his third tour of duty at the Headquarters of the 4th Marine Logistics Group to serve as the Lead Planner in the G-3/5 Section. In March 2009, Brigadier General Machut assumed the duties as the Deputy Commander, 4th Marine Logistics Group, and relinquished this position in August 2010. Brigadier General Machut is currently awaiting assignment.
Brigadier General Machut was selected for and attended the U.S. Army War College through their Department of Distance Education. He graduated in July 2007 with a Masters in Strategic Studies.
As a civilian, Brigadier General Machut is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois.
Brigadier General Machut’s personal decorations include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with a gold star, the Navy Commendation Medal with gold star and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
The following individuals were our guest speaker for the 6th Annual Freedom Festival on September 12, 2009.
Lieutenant General Benjamin C. Freakley
Commanding General
U.S. Army Accessions Command / Deputy
Commanding General Initial Military Training
 Lieutenant General Benjamin C. Freakley assumed command of U.S. Army Accessions Command (AAC), Fort Monroe, Virginia, on 18 May 2007. AAC consists of U.S. Army Recruiting Command, Fort Knox, KY; U.S. Army Cadet Command, Fort Monroe, VA.; and U.S. Army Training Center, Fort Jackson, SC. Additionally, General Freakley exercises Department of the Army directed executive agent authority over the Military Entrance Processing Command. He also serves as Deputy Commanding General for Initial Military Training (IMT), U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, Virginia. As commander of AAC, General Freakley is responsible for integrated command, control, and coordination of the Army’s officer, warrant officer, and enlisted Accessions process from initial contact through completion of IMT. He is responsible for meeting Accessions goals for officer and enlisted personnel, managing and conducting Recruiting operations,developing IMT policy, developing direct commission and appointment policy, and overseeing IMT programs.
General Freakley is from Woodstock, Virginia. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1975 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Infantry, Regular Army. He has a Masters of Military Art and Science Degree in Operations. His military schooling includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, British Long Armor/Infantry Course, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, School of Advanced Military Studies, and the Army War College.
General Freakley served as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Scout Platoon Leader, and Rifle Company Commander in the 506th Parachute infantry Regiment (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell from 1976-1979. After the Advanced Course, he served as Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General, Military District of Washington. In Germany, he served as a Fielding Officer for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and as Headquarters and Headquarters Company Commander, and Battalion S3 in the 2d Battalion, 30th Infantry (Mechanized).
From 1988-1992, General Freakley served in the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) as the G3 War Plans Officer and during Operation DESERT SHIELD as the Battalion Executive Officer of the 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry. In Operation DESERT STORM, he was the S3 for the 1st Brigade, 24th ID (M). After redeployment to Fort Stewart, he became the Brigade Executive Officer..
From 1992 to 1994, he commanded 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 2d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood Texas. General Freakley served as the G3, 24th ID from 1995-1996. He then served as the Deputy Chief of Staff, III Corps at Fort Hood. He commanded the 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division from February 1997 to December 1998..
He served from January 1999 to June 2000 as Commander, Operations Group, National Training Center, Fort Irwin, CA. He followed as the Deputy Director for Operations, National Military Command Center, J3, The Joint Staff, from July 2000 until May 2001. He became Deputy Director for Joint Warfighting Capabilities Assessment, J8, on The Joint Staff. In 2002, he joined the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, KY, as the Assistant Division Commander (Support). He later served as Assistant Division Commander (Operations) during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. From July 2003 to August 2005 he served as Commanding General, U.S. Army Infantry Center/Commandant, U.S. Army Infantry School and Chief of Infantry. From August 2005 to April 2007 he served as Commanding General, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) at Fort Drum, NY and Commanding General, Combined/Joint Task Force-76, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan from February 2006 to February 2007.
General Freakley’s military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal (with OLC), Defense Superior Service Medal (with OLC), Legion of Merit (with two OLCs), Bronze Star (with “V” device), Bronze Star (with OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (with nine OLCs), Army Commendation Medal (with “V” device), Army Achievement Medal, State Department Meritorious Honor Award, NATO Meritorious Service Medal, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Combat Action Badge, Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.
Captain Andrew Miller
Fire Support Officer
Able Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Captain Andrew Miller is from Barrington, Illinois. He is a Barrington High School graduate (Class of 2002). He graduated with a BA Degree in International Business from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington in 2006.
Captain Miller received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant from the Army ROTC program at Illinois State University in May 2006.
He attended Basic Officer Leadership Course and Field Artillery Officer Basic Course at Ft. Sill, OK in 2006. Captain Miller was assigned to Bravo Battery, 1st battalion 15th field artillery regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Hovey, South Korea. Served as Fire Direction Officer for a Paladin battery (155mm self propelled artillery) December 2006 - June 2007; served as Platoon Leader June 2007-December 2007. After he completed his tour in Korea he was assigned to Fort Campbell Kentucky as Fire Support Officer for Able Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry (Light Infantry Company), the "Currahee" 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.
His unit was deployed to FOB Kutschbach in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, March-August 2008. Redeployed to FOB Airborne in Wardak Province August-January 2008-9. Redeployed (yet again) to FOB Sharana, Paktika Province January - March 2009. Redeployed to Ft. Campbell March 2009 and continues to serve as Able Company's Fire Support Officer.
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