Recognizing Veterans Day with Judge Mengarelli

This Veterans Day, we are honoring those who have served. The following features Associate Judge Martin J. Mengarelli of the Third Judicial Circuit. He shares his thoughts on his military background, his accomplishments, and more.

Please briefly describe your military background with the U.S. Army. What was your position/rank?

I enlisted in the Army in December of 1984. I did my basic training, combat engineer training, and operating engineer training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. I was stationed in Darmstadt, West Germany from 1985 to 1987 with D Company, 94^th Engineering Battalion, 18^th Engineering Brigade. I operated bulldozers, backhoes and other heavy construction equipment. I attained the rank of Specialist (E-4).

What motivated you to join the military?

I was a sophomore at Loyola University and had already changed my major three times. My dad was a furniture mover and a World War II veteran. While attending college, I worked part-time for the same moving company alongside quite a few other military veterans. Since college wasn't going particularly well, I began thinking about trying something different. I started talking with military recruiters and the Army offered me the Army College Fund along with a guaranteed assignment in Europe. Having made up my mind and not wanting anyone to talk me out of it, I dropped out of college and enlisted without telling anyone in my family! Needless to say, my family was quite surprised when I finally told them what I'd done!

When you reflect on your time in the military, what accomplishments and/or challenges stand out to you?

My platoon sergeant encouraged me to participate in the Army Soldier of the Month competition. This was a competitive evaluation in which enlisted soldiers were tested on their military knowledge, leadership abilities, and military bearing. I went on to win at the platoon, company, battalion, and brigade levels. As Brigade Soldier of the Month, I had the opportunity to travel to Berlin, Germany, which was still a divided city at the time. We were permitted to pass through Checkpoint Charlie and tour Communist East Berlin. Seeing the Berlin Wall and experiencing life under a communist government firsthand was quite an education for a kid who had grown up in Chicago. It gave me a perspective on the world that I could never have gained from a classroom or a textbook. I also had the opportunity to accompany our company officers when they met with their NATO counterparts. That experience gave me an appreciation for the international relationships and cooperation that were an important part of our military.

What inspired you to pursue law, and eventually become a judge?

There were no attorneys in my family or in the neighborhood where I grew up. My first exposure to attorneys came during my time working as a furniture mover. The moving company I worked for was one of the largest in Chicago, and we frequently moved law offices as well as attorneys' personal households. Observing how these attorneys worked and lived sparked my interest in the legal profession and ultimately motivated me to attend law school. After graduating from Northern Illinois University College of Law, where I met my future wife, Laura, I relocated to her hometown of Granite City, Illinois. I was fortunate to begin my legal career at Morris B. Chapman and Associates, where I had the opportunity to work alongside accomplished attorneys and develop relationships with many of our local judges. It was through my interactions with those judges, both on and off the bench, that I developed an interest in becoming a judge myself. After 21 years of practicing law, I was fortunate to be appointed to the bench in November 2014.

Does your military background influence your work as judge? How so?

Yes. I believe my military service taught me how to make difficult decisions while balancing fairness and consequences.

What does Veterans Day mean to you?

It makes me proud to have been part of a group of people who had the opportunity to serve our country. I am convinced I would not be where I am today if it weren't for my military service.

What would you like others to keep in mind when recognizing veterans?

Everyone's experience was different.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Go Army!