The Bomb Squad had one hell of a beginning at EIU. But it was now March of 2001 and all the members except Tom "Ripcord" Kens graduated and went their separate ways. Jeff Stewart went home to Frankfort, IL and managed a Hotel. Mark Rimkus went to Burbank and partied with his old high school friends and got ready to attend culinary school. Jim Stewart was married living in Chicago. Wes Davey was in Naperville expecting a son named Keagan. Steve Blocker was still at EIU, but was busy attending Graduate school, and managing the bar Stu's. The Squad was separated, in hibernation, but not forgotten. Before the Squad split up, I had gotten a hold of 4-5 green bomber hats. I had just moved downtown Chicago in Lakeview on Sheffield and Belmont across from Leona's. The first couple months were crazy. Roommates Dan Mandernack, TJ Rafferty, and myself went out many nights, where I would come home wearing no shirt, and a green bomber hat. Somehow during that time I reunited with Bomb Squad member Nick "The Big Boss" Eaglin (currently MIA or POW) and we began going out in The City. He drove a big red truck, and it had a horn of a semi. The beginning of The Chicago Bomb Squad took place one night where me and Nick were heading to John Barleycorn in Chicago to meet Mark "The Admiral" Rimkus. What ensued once we got there was historical. The drinking, smoking, dancing, with The Bomber hats immediately made us known. At the time I was taking pictures with my work olympus camera, much outdated compared to the pictures of the present. From Barleycorn me, Nick, and Rimkus all hopped into Nick's truck and drove to Bamboo Bernies (used to be where Blu is). Here we met more people and began slamming fishbowls. By the end of the night we had a circle of 20 people doing the ceromonial raise the bowl , drink, and pass it around. The night got truly out of hand as I lost my bomber and ended up sleeping on the bathroom floor at my apt.

Time and time again people saw The green bomber come out. I brought it in my pocket whenever I went out, and put it on after about 10 drinks. I would always take tons of pictures, and then post them on my website for members out of the area to see, and try to keep in touch. I was trying to resurrect the dead Bomb Squad, but it was impossible with the work of only a few. I knew 2 things were essential to wake up The Bomb Squad. One was to find a new motherload supply of the green bomber hats. Tom Ken's used to get them all from EIU, but that source had run dry. I had been given a bunch of bombers in a varitey of different colors by Wes Davey, but after many drunken night they were all lost. The second thing that needed to be done was to get all the old members back, or to recruit new ones. It was time for expansion, it was time for The Chicago Bomb Squad to make a name for themselves.

The Bomb Squad finally caught a break. One day EIU bomber Matt Konecki and I were looking online for a source for bomber hats. We found it. The site Armysurplessforless.com sold the exact replicas of the bomber hat, if not more magical looking ones. I immediately bought 15 online, and our newly appointed Bomb Squad advisor from New Orleans also purchased 15. We had accomplished the first goal. Now we needed some die hard Chicago partiers, former EIU students to keep the tradition alive. First we appointed Tommy Dillon, a perfect compliment to myself and Steve Blocker, former soccer adversaries. We partied it up in Naperville, and then many times at Tommy's Chicago apartment. We also attended The Bears Playoff game vs. The Eagles where Tommy D was sworn in on the field.

Now that myself, Rimkus, Blocker and Tommy D were reunited , things were looking up. The next appointment was Jeff Radomski. A huge key to the success of The Chicago Bomb squad. Shortly after meeting him through Mark Rimkus, I realized his potential and immediately swore him in. He immediately began to promote The Squad by attending a Bulls game wearing his bomber, St. Pat's day by himself, and many other Chicago parties where he was constantly left behind at the end of the night. The Bomb Squad couldn't stop here. We need to add female members. After a few EIU visits, the choice became clear. Susan Will, Tracy Madsen, and Kim Brummer showed what the bomb squad needed at Mardi Gras. Girls that could party like us. Shortly after Mardi Gras a ruling was made to bring in girls, and since then it has been nothing but positive.

The Mardi Gras experience also introduced 2 other individuals. Zach and Piatt. Not less than 1 week after Mardi Gras, Zach and Piatt talked online about a party that would cross all party lines and unite the Chicago Bomb Squad for good. Piatt Fest 2002. It was a joint party between Pikes, Delta Chi's, and girls that liked to party at EIU at Ike's bar. Here is when Erin and Stacy Shilson locked up a bid for membership with both partying like seasoned veterans, even though they were freshman. Living it Up Latzke with the bald head look alone locked up membership as well as his beer breakfast attire. Jeff "The Body" Pasqua was also employed as a Insurance policy, protector as was Mike "hee haw" Lacy.. Randall "The Hawk" Blocker, Val blocker and friends also joined the ranks with the all day partying antics seen at The Zoo at EIU. Many more members were added after this. but at this time old members such as Jeff "The general " Stewart, and brother Jim Stube, Wes Davey , Wayne Ball, Matt Konecki and the rest of the original members were somehow reborn. With a new website, new Chicago Bomb Squad headquarter's location, and new members, The Chicago Bomb Squad has reclaimed the magic and glory. We can be seen at bars all over Chicagoland, EIU, The Burbs, Cub games, and even out of State. People from all over Chicagoland and beyond are beginning to understand what The Chicago Bomb Squad is about.