The Aurora Navy League Council 247 will hold its Tuesday, Oct. 19 dinner meeting at its new, permanent location, the private room of the Riverview Diner, IL-25 and Mill St, Montgomery. This is a very large private room and can be entered from the north door or through the restaurant. There is plenty of parking. The Navy League will continue to hold its monthly meetings here from now on.
You do not need to be a member of the Navy League, or have a reservation, to attend the in-person meeting–the general public is welcome.
A reception will begin at 5 p.m. followed by a meeting at 5:30 p.m. with dinner afterward. The cost is $25 all-inclusive if an entree is ordered, or $20 for the dinner salad featured that evening. Free entry without food. The meeting will conclude by 8 p.m..
The after dinner speaker will be Lt Colonel Simon Wlodarshi who will speak on the Joint Multinational Training Group- Ukraine [which he just returned from after spending a year in a leadership role with that NATO group in the Ukraine]. This multinational NATO training group’s mission is to train and equip, and to develop a training center and doctrinal assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This is accomplished by employing a “train-the-trainer” approach, enabling Ukrainians to take the lead in training rotational brigades.
LTC Simon Wlodarski enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in 1995, completing Boot Camp and School of Infantry in MCRD San Diego and Camp Pendleton, California. Initially serving as an Anti-Tank Assaultman, LTC Wlodarski served roles within Weapons Companies and Infantry line companies as a Dragon Gunner, Assault Team Leader, and squad leader before becoming a scout sniper team leader and platoon sergeant. LTC Wlodarski rose to the Rank of Sergeant in the Marine Corps before pursuing a commission in the Marine Corps. LTC Wlodarski served as an Infantry Platoon Commander, deploying to Iraq in 2004 and 2005 conducting combat operations. LTC Wlodarski also deployed as a Company Executive Officer to Africa in support of the Pan Sahel Initiative. In 2009 he completed service as a Marine Captain and returned to the private sector.
LTC Wlodarski transferred his commission to the Illinois Army National Guard in 2011, deploying the following year to Afghanistan in support of ISAF operations and NATO partners embedded in Task Force White Eagle. He was assigned to the Advisor Section as a maneuver planner and conducted joint operations with Afghan Army and Police units in RC-East. He also served as the HHC commander for Joint Force Headquarters, Illinois National Guard as well as various positions within the G3.
In the private sector, LTC Wlodarski is a Senior Vice President at Bank of America, focusing on Government Relations and Public Policy. His responsibilities include State and Local matters, as well as foundation outreach and community impact. He has prior experience working for the Governor of Illinois within the Office of Management and Budget as well as Chief of Staff of a State Agency.
— Aurora Navy League Council 247