PROMOTIONS

PROMOTIONS
Navy commander
Navy Cmdr. Catherine A. Simpson of Poland was promoted to her present rank while serving at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Simpson, a 1979 graduate of Villa Maria High School, Pa., received a bachelor of arts degree from Youngstown State University and a master's degree, and is taking classes at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Simpson was in her office on the fifth floor of the Pentagon when terrorists crashed an airplane into the building Sept. 11. She was not injured in the attack.
Simpson, a daughter of William Simpson, 11 Centennial Drive, Poland, and the late Anne Simpson, is married to Dan Crider. The couple has two children and lives in Silver Spring, Md.
1st sergeant
YOUNGSTOWN -- Company 1st Sgt. Travis D. Trummer, Washingtonville, was promoted to his present rank while assigned to Company C, 216th Engineer Battalion, Ohio Army National Guard.
VETERANS
Government liaisons
The Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C., has created a new network of six regional liaisons to work with state and local veterans service organizations.
Liaisons will attend conventions and meetings to provide communications between veterans and the VA and coordinate outreach activities to inform veterans and the public of VA programs.
Radiation update
The Department of Veterans Affairs has proposed regulatory changes that would add several new cancers to the list of illnesses presumed to be connected to the military service of veterans exposed to radiation.
Under the proposed rules, veterans diagnosed with cancer of the bone, brain, colon, lung and ovary would be able to apply for and receive compensation for these illnesses.
The relatives of veterans who die from these diseases also would be eligible for benefits. Veterans who participated in radiation-risk activities, such as the occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki, internment as a prisoner of war in Japan, or on-site involvement in atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, also are eligible.
Mercer man honored
SHARON, Pa. -- The late Edward M. "Max" Schang Sr. will be inducted into the Hall of Valor at Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Hall in Pittsburgh.
Schang, who died in 1992 at age 74, is being recognized for his World War II military service.
He earned the Silver Star for gallantry in action during fighting in Germany in 1945 and was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery under fire and the Purple Heart for wounds received at Anzio.
He was captured in fighting in Germany and spent three months as a German prisoner of war before being liberated.
When he returned from the war, he went to work at Trinity Industries Greenville Rail Car Division.
His widow, the former Patricia McNally, said she hopes to attend the induction ceremony and banquet scheduled for Oct. 7 at Soldiers' and Sailors' banquet hall.
Health screenings
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- The Mobile Outreach Team of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Butler, Pa., will offer free health screenings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 9 at VFW Post 3374, Greenville, and the same time Oct. 11 at American Legion Post 343, New Castle. Free flu shots will be available beginning in October. Veterans should bring their discharge papers.
BASIC GRADS
Area Marines
Marine Corps: Pfc. Eric A. Wisbith (Mohawk High School, Bessemer, Pa., '90, and Slippery Rock University, Pa., '99), a son of Terry and Jeanette Wisbith, Route 2, Wampum, Pa.; Pvt. Michael C. Baker (Grove City High School, Pa., '00), a son of David and Cheri Baker, 620 N. Liberty Road, Grove City.
TRAINING
Advanced work
Several area residents completed advanced military training. They include:
UMarine Corps Pfc. Joshua C. Fannin (Berlin Western Reserve High School, '00), Administrative Clerk Course, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; a grandson of Robert and Wanda Thayer of East Liverpool.
U Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jamian R. Eggleston, Enlisted Recruiting Orientation Course; a son of George and Pearl Eggleston, 616 Pearson St., New Castle.
UMarine Corps Pfc. Zachary R. Zarlenga (Canfield High School, '00), a son of Frank and Saundra Zarlenga, 5628 Shields Road, Canfield; Basic Combat Engineer Course, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
UNavy Hospitalman Apprentice Kevin R. Strickler (New Castle Senior High School), a son of Kevin and Katherine Strickler, 609 John St., New Castle; 14-week Basic Hospital Corps School, Great Lakes, Ill.
Army National Guard
Several members of the Ohio Army National Guard Company C, 216th Engineer Combat Battalion in Youngstown, completed training.
They are: Pvt. Christopher D. Plant, Austintown, advanced individual training, Fort Gordon, Ga.; Pvt. E-2 Ryan Layman, Parma, advanced individual training, Naval Construction Training Center, Miss.; Pvt. E-2 Aaron Lloyd, Bowerston, basic combat training, Fort Benning, Ga.; Pfc. Chad Lynn, Leesville, honor graduate, advanced individual training, Naval Construction Training Center, Miss.
HONORS
Physical fitness test
Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Craig D. Putnam received a perfect score of 300 on the physical fitness test by doing 20 pull-ups and 80 sit-ups within two minutes and running 3 miles in less than 18 minutes.
Putnam, a 1978 graduate of Columbiana High School and a 1992 graduate of the University of Maryland, is serving with the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
He is a son of Ronald E. Putnam, 59 Teddie Blvd., Castleton-on-Hudson, N.Y., and Donna Bekar, 5161/2 E. Park Ave., Columbiana.
XItems of note for the Military Roundup can be sent to The Vindicator, Regional Desk, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780.