VETERANS



VETERANS
Ohio VFW elections
Dr. Barry Walker of East Palestine, who served in Southeast Asia and Desert Storm, was re-elected chaplain of the Ohio VFW at its 81st annual convention in Columbus June 30.
Gregorio J. Vela of Wauseon was elected commander of the Ohio VFW for 2001-2002. Vela served in the Marine Corps from 1963 to 1966, including duty as a radio operator for forward observers in Vietnam in 1965 with the 3rd Marine Division.
Other state officers elected include: George Durinka of Parma, senior vice commander, who served two tours of duty in Vietnam as a member of the Air Force; Robert W. Funk Jr. of Westerville, quartermaster; and Keith Harman of Delphos, judge advocate.
BASIC TRAINING
Area residents graduate
Several area residents graduated from basic military training. They include:
U Army: Reserve Pvt. Kevin R. Jamison (Girard High School '00), Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., son of Barbara and Richard Jamison, 316 E. Broadway, Girard; Pvt. Nichole M. Hedglin (Grove City High School '99), Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., daughter of Larry B. and Denise A. Hedglin, 160 Richardson Road, Grove City; National Guard Pvt. Mark F. DePietro Jr. (Shenango High School, New Castle '98), Fort Sill, Okla., son of Barbara and Mark DePieteo, 1026 Ruth Ave., New Castle.
ADVANCED TRAINING
Instruction completed
Several area residents completed advanced military training courses. They include: Army National Guard Pfc. Billy J. Barth (Western Reserve High School, Berlin Center '99), automated logistical specialist advanced individual training, Fort Lee, Va., son of Pam and Larry J. Barth, 7227 S. Duck Creek Road, Berlin Center; Army Pvt. Jasmin M. Nelson (LaBrae High School, Leavittsburg '99), food service specialist advanced individual training, Fort Lee, Va., daughter of Wanda L. and Van D. Nelson, 2955 Melgren Drive S.W., Warren; Army Pvt. Edward F. Lindey (Mercer Junior Senior High School '00), light-wheel vehicle mechanic advanced individual training, Fort Jackson, S.C., son of Edward F. and Laurel J. Lindey, 684 Polarski Mercer Road, Mercer;
Air Force Airman 1st Class Timothy R. Bricker (David Anderson Junior-Senior High School, Lisbon '00), pavement maintenance and construction equipment operator apprentice course, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., son of Cheryl A. Bricker, 136 Pendleton St., and James Bricker, 9827 Trinity Church Road, both of Lisbon; Jonathan M. Miller (Lisbon David Anderson High School, Lisbon '97), three weeks of basic military training and accepted into the Air Force Academy Preparatory School in Colorado Springs, Colo., son of Donna D. and Jeffrey L. Miller, 6028 Camp Blvd., Lisbon; Air Force Airman 1st Class Shaun R. McRoberts (Blackhawk High School, Beaver Falls '99), aerospace propulsion apprentice (jet engine) course, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, assigned to the 171st Air Refueling Wing at Pittsburgh International Airport, Corapolis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kevin McRoberts, 369 Enon Road, Enon Valley; Navy Hospital Corpsman Autumn N. Gooden (Youngstown Woodrow Wilson High School '99), emergency medical technician training, Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, Va., daughter of Jeanette Martin of Youngstown.
PROMOTIONS
Service advancements
These servicemen and servicewomen were recently promoted:
U Richard A. Blaine Jr. was promoted to the rank of chief warrant officer three in the Ohio Army National Guard, where he is a maintenance test pilot with Troop Detachment, 2nd Battalion, 107th Cavalry at Akron Canton Armory, Canton, He is a son of Richard and Karen Blaine, Boardman.
U Michelle T. Davies was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant in the Air Force while assigned to the 93rd Intelligence Squadron at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas. She is a daughter of Richard A. Davies, 613 S. Main St., Hubbard, and Mary Ann Cook, 211 S. Barry, Greenville, and is a 1995 graduate of Hubbard High School.
HONORS
Achievements
Army Spec. Russell J. Young (Sharon High School '94) received the Army Achievement Medal for meritorious service and achievement. He is a food service specialist assigned to the 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade at Ansbach, Germany, and is a son of Robert J. Young Sr., 393 Orchard St., Sharon.
REUNIONS
U USS Hamlin AV-15 Association: Sept. 6-8, 2001, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Bridgeton, Mo. Contact Lawrence C. Godwin, R.D. 1, Box 417, New Wilmington, Pa. 16142-9550.
U 249th Combat Engineer Battalion of World War II: Sept. 6-8, 2001, Holiday Inn Southwest, 4110 Dixie Highway, Louisville, Ky. Contact James Hand, 157 E. Pearl St., Wellsville, N.Y. 14895.
XItems of note for the Military Roundup can be sent to The Vindicator, Regional Desk, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780.