YSU Flagpole and garden will memorialize 9/11

VETERANS
Teen advocate to speak
LAKE MILTON -- Nikki Mendicino, 13, known as the "world's youngest veterans-POW/MIA advocate," will speak at the meeting of the Korean War Veterans of the Mahoning Valley, Chapter 137, at American Legion Post 737, 16465 Milton Ave., at 7 p.m. April 22. She was originally scheduled to appear March 25.
Nikki, an eighth-grader who lives in a small town outside Pittsburgh, is an honorary junior member of Rolling Thunder National, was designated an honorary veteran, and in Pennsylvania received the Medal of Commendation, the state's second-highest civilian honor.
She became a veterans advocate several years ago after she met a decorated World War II veteran, John Kridlo, who landed at Utah Beach on D-Day.
Nikki, who says she wants to be the first woman president of the United States, has several Web sites and has spoken to veterans groups all over the country.
Detachment officers
The Tri-State Marine Corps League Detachment and Auxiliary elected 2002 officers. Harry Dampf of Canfield was elected commandant of the detachment, and Jane Popa of Liberty was elected president of the auxiliary.
Other 2002 detachment officers include: Michael R. Shepherd, senior vice commandant; Frank H. Griffiths, junior vice commandant; Frank A. Sokol, judge advocate; and Dale Baringer, chaplain. Other auxiliary officers are: Mary Jean Michael, senior vice president; Elpha Oakley, junior vice president; and Ann Hudak, judge advocate.
Decoration of graves
YOUNGSTOWN -- The organizational meeting for Memorial Day graves decoration will be at 2 p.m. today at the Mahoning County Veterans Service Office, 2801 Market St. Cemetery assignments will be reviewed and flags distributed. The decoration date is May 18. If the weather is inclement, it will be May 25.
Korean War group
AUSTINTOWN -- Members of Korean War Veterans Association Chapter 137 of the Mahoning Valley will gather Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Veterans Park, Wickcliffe Circle, at the site where a Korean War Memorial is to be erected.
Chapter 137 president Zeno Foley said the public is invited. Call Robert Vitullo at (330) 792-5151 for more information.
Free health screenings
BUTLER, Pa. -- Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 325 New Castle Road, offers free health screenings to veterans from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the center. Veterans applying for doctor's appointments must provide a copy of their discharge papers.
BASIC GRADS
Area residents
Several area residents have completed basic military training. They include:
UArmy: Army National Guard Pvt. Jennifer L. Carroll (Western Reserve High School, Berlin Center, '99), daughter of Jeanette Bare, Duck Creek Road, Berlin Center, and granddaughter of Edna Blaze, Marathon, Fla.; Reserve Pvt. Michael Fountain Jr. (Youngstown Chaney High School, '98), son of Toni and stepson of George Mitchell, Volney Road, Youngstown; Pvt. Andrew D. Steves (David Anderson Junior Senior High School, Lisbon, '01), son of Billi J. Steves, state Route 30, Lisbon, and Kevin Steves, Abingdon, Md.; Army National Guard Pvt. Dustin M. Letourneau, son of Jill and Kevin Johnson, Riverview Street N.W., Warren; Pvt. Jason E. Romesberg (Lakeview High School, Cortland,'97), son of Jim and Tina Woofter, Fox Run, Cortland; Pvt. Preston A. Haley, son of Theresa Haley, Munroe Falls, Ohio, and James Haley, Volney Road, Youngstown.
UAir Force: Airman Brandon D. Woodruff (Youngstown Ursuline High School, '01), son of Diane and stepson of Ron Copeland, Daytona Drive, Austintown.
UMarine Corps: Pfc. Michael W. Miles (Salem High School, '01), son of Julieanne L. and Robert A. Miles, Tanglewood Drive, Salem.
PROMOTIONS
Air Force
SALEM -- Air Force Lt. Col. Thomas A. Fitch was promoted to his present rank while serving as commander of the 355th Component Repair Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
He is a son of Bonnie G. and stepson of Richard S. Pasko, Southridge, Salem. His wife, Laura, is a daughter of Don and Marilyn Crawford, Middleton Road, Beloit.
Fitch graduated in 1980 from West Branch High School, Beloit; received a bachelor's degree in 1985 from Youngstown State University; and in 1993, earned a master's degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton.
910TH AIR WING
Joins Air Force Reserve
VIENNA -- David A. Oesch has joined the Air Force Reserve and will be assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing at Youngstown Air Reserve Station.
He is a son of Donna J. and Randall E. Oesch, Beaver Springfield Road, New Springfield. His wife, Lynn, is a daughter of Sandra and stepdaughter of Ed Daily, Maple Drive, Columbiana.
He is a 1985 graduate of Columbiana High School.
XItems of note for the Military Roundup can be sent to The Vindicator, Regional Desk, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780.