VETERANS

VETERANS
Letter alternatives
The Department of Defense said the Navy has developed a Web-based alternative to the Any Servicemember and Operation Dear Abby programs, which were used by those who wanted to send letters of support or holiday greetings to military personnel. The two letter programs were suspended indefinitely in the wake of the anthrax mail attacks.
The Web-based program can be reached at the Navy LIFELines Services Network at www.lifelines2000.org or http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/. Those sending messages who want a response may include a return e-mail address. Information about other alternatives for supporting deployed service members is available at www.defenselink.mil/news/Oct2001/b10302001_bt556-01.html.
Memorial planned
COITSVILLE -- Coitsville Township is seeking the names of veterans, living or deceased, who served in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Operation Joint Endeavor and Afghanistan while they were living in Lowellville. A memorial program to honor these veterans is being planned.
People may submit names to Geri Marino, 3737 McCartney Road, Lowellville 44436 or call (330) 536-6420 for information. The address of the veteran or his family, branch of service, dates of service and whether the veteran served overseas or in the United States should be included.
Medical services
BUTLER, Pa. -- The Mobile Outreach Team from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center will offer free medical evaluations and flu shots to veterans from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 20 at VFW Post 6233, West Middlesex, Pa. Veterans must bring their discharge papers. Call (724) 477-5011 or (800) 362-8262 for more information.
BASIC GRADS
Finished training
Several area residents have completed military basic training. They include:
UMarine Corps: Pvt. Michael C. Sheffer (Lakeview High School, Stoneboro, Pa. '00), son of Christine Surrena, 451 Klein Road, Sandy Lake, Pa., and Harry Sheffer, Smithport, Pa.; Pvt. Anthony M. Joseph (New Castle, Pa., High School '00), son of Marcela J. and Thomas A. Joseph, 320 Fairfield Ave., New Castle.
UAir Force: Airman Jesse S. Wagner (New Castle, Pa., High School '01), son of Linda and Steve Wagner, 205 E. Madison Ave., New Castle; Airman Ashley L. Meeks (Beaver Local High School, Lisbon '01), daughter of Karen and stepdaughter of Steve Satterfield, 11443 Elkton Road, Lisbon. Her father, Jeff Meeks, lives in Lancaster, S.C.
UArmy: Pfc. Salim D. Taylor (Wilmington Area High School, New Wilmington, Pa. '98), daughter of Tamara Wilkins, Rural Route 2, and Daniel Taylor, both of Pulaski, Pa.; National Guard Pvt. Nathan S. Terrill (Joseph Badger High School, Kinsman '99), son of Sheila and Chester Terrill, 10044 Ridge Road, Kinsman; Pfc. John A. Johnson (Farrell, Pa., High School '00), son of Clarice Ford, 412 French St., Farrell; Pvt. Matthew J. Pavlicko (Fitch High School, Austintown '00), son of Lisa Vereb, Austintown, and grandson of Marie Pavlicko, Struthers; Pvt. Jessica M. Abner (Beaver Local High School, Lisbon '01), daughter of Terry and Rose Lattanzio, 49722 Carmel Achor Road, Rogers.
HONORS
Officer of the year
Air National Guard Master Sgt. Cecelia J.H. Swartzmiller is the 2001 outstanding senior noncommissioned officer of the year for the 189th Airlift Wing, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. She is a personnel craftsman assigned to the 189th Mission Support Flight.
She is a daughter of Raymond P. Hesapene Sr., Kekaha, Kauai, Hawaii, and her husband, Air Force 1st Lt. Justin W. Swartzmiller, is a son of Jerald and Marcia Swartzmiller, 43012 state Route 39, Wellsville, Ohio. Master Sgt. Swartzmiller is a 1984 graduate of Waimea High School, Hawaii, and in 1999 she earned associate's degrees from the Community College of the Air Force and from Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute, N.M.
Excellence award
Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Robert M. Tranquillo received the Chief of Staff, Army Supply Excellence Award. The award recognized Tranquillo's expertise in the Quartermaster Corps.
A senior construction superintendent assigned to Henderson, Nev., he is a son of Joyce A. Hudson, Newport Beach, Va., and Robert M. Tranquillo, 1000 Beckford St., New Castle. Tranquillo is a 1988 graduate of Laurel High School, New Castle.
Achievement
Army Pfc. Phillip H. Rodgers has been decorated with the Army Achievement Medal for achievement in a noncombat area. Rodgers is an aircraft pneudraulics repairer at Camp Stanley, Uijong-Bu, South Korea.
He is a son of Kathy S. McLaughlin, 141 N. Pearl St., Columbiana, and Kip E. Rodgers, Lakeland, Fla. He graduated in 1998 from Strausburg, Ohio, High School.
REUNIONS
UAleutian Islands Ohio military veterans, all service branches: Feb. 10, 2002, Columbus. For information and registration, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Al King, P.O. Box 130327, Sunrise, Fla. 33313 by Jan. 14, 2002.
XItems of note for the Military Roundup can be sent to The Vindicator, Regional Desk, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780.