In 2017, the City of Chicago Pipe Band made the decision to dedicate all of our performances to honor a veteran of the United States Armed Forces. The band leadership and past honorees will work together to nominate another veteran each spring and they will take their place below in the City of Chicago Pipe Band Veterans Honor Roll. Anytime we compete or perform we will recognize the dedication to our honorees – publicly if possible and always among our playing ranks. This greater meaning gives the band a higher purpose for digging deep and working hard to be our best as we know our military heroes do for us every day.
To our honored veterans and all veterans: Thank You For Your Service!
2018 Honoree
Staff Sergeant (Retired) Josh Gennari, U.S. Marines & U.S. Army
Staff Sergeant Josh Gennari was last a Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Collector with 2/19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and a US Army Civilian Intelligence Officer providing direct support to US Army global operations.
Staff Sergeant Gennari enlisted in the US Marines in 1993, completing Marine Recruit Training, Marine Combat Training, and Field Radio Operator’s Course in June 1994. After 10 years of active duty service in the US Marines, Josh switched branches of service and in November 2003, he enlisted in the US Army Reserves and subsequently the US Army National Guard. Since that time until his retirement in November 2017, Josh has served in numerous billets within the Intelligence Community both in uniform and as a civilian.
Staff Sergeant Gennari’s US Marine Corps assignments include: Field Radio Operator, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Bn/1st Marine Regiment; US Marine Embassy Guard, American Embassy Caracas; Naval ROTC, University of Missouri-Columbia; Maritime Special Purpose Force Communications Chief, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Bn/4th Marine Regiment (The Magnificent Bastards!); and Field Radio Operator, Intelligence NCO, Team Leader, 1st Recon Bn.
Staff Sergeant Gennari’s US Army assignments include: Team Leader, Tactical Psychological Operations Team, 10th Psychological Operations Battalion; Human Intelligence Collector, 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne); Sr Targeting Officer, Counter-Insurgency Targeting Program; Special Activities Intelligence Officer, Special Operations Task Force-West; Intelligence Officer, US Army Africa Branch, National Ground Intelligence Center; Intelligence Officer, Operations and Support Branch-Africa, US Army Intelligence and Security Command.
Staff Sergeant Gennari has served in numerous operations including crisis situations in the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America, with over four years deployed to combat, hostile and sensitive environments, including Afghanistan and Iraq.
Staff Sergeant Gennari has attended both military and civilian training programs to include: USMC Recruit Training; USMC Marine Combat Training; USMC Field Radio Operator’s Course; USMC Basic Reconnaissance Course; US Army Psychological Operations Course; US Army Personality-Based Targeting Course; US Army Human Intelligence Collector’s Course; Department of Defense Source Operations Course; Department of Defense Foreign Language Institute (Arabic); and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences from California State University-Monterey Bay.
Staff Sergeant Gennari’s awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal; Army Commendation Medal; US Navy Commendation Medal; US Navy/MC Achievement Medal; USMC Combat Action Ribbon; US Army Combat Action Badge; USMC Presidential Unit Citation; US Army Presidential Unit Citation; US Navy Unit Commendation; USMC Meritorious Unit Commendation; National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award); Southwest Asia Medal (2nd Award); Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal; Army Service Ribbon; US Navy/USMC Sea Service Ribbon (3rd Award); USMC Overseas Service Ribbon; USMC Marine Security Guard Ribbon; and Commander’s Award for Civilian Service.
Staff Sergeant Gennari has a son, Connor Ruggero, and daughter, Sofia Christina.
2017 Honoree
Sergeant (Retired) Justin Dodson, U.S. Army
Sergeant Dodson served our country from 1993 to 2006 including roles as a tactical team leader in Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division and 7th Psychological Operations Group.
Sergeant Dodson’s full military profile is forthcoming.