VETERANS

VETERANS
2nd in national speech
COLUMBUS -- Jason Hibner of Vandalia, Ohio, a junior at Vandalia-Butler High School, won second place in the national 2002 Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy contest. Jason received the $16,000 Charles Kuralt Scholarship in addition to the $6,000 scholarship he received as the Ohio winner. He was sponsored by VFW Post 9582 and its Ladies Auxiliary.
BASIC GRADS
On their way up
Several area residents have completed basic military training. They include:
UAir Force: Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Evan C. Veverka (West Geauga High School, Chesterland, Ohio, '01), brother of Celena Bouck, 1650 Wilson Ave., Warren; Reserve Airman 1st Class Trajmon B. Williams (The Rayen School, Youngstown, '99), son of Leatha Mitchell, 150 Greeley Lane, Youngstown; Reserve Airman 1st Class Bryan T. Alfredo (Grove City, Pa., High School, '00), son of David and Barb Alfredo, 92 Longwell Drive, Grove City; Airman James E. Peyatt (Hubbard High School, '00), son of James Peyatt Sr. and Jenny Jerome, 6437 Trumbull Ave., Hubbard;
UArmy: Pvt. Lisa E. Drummond, daughter of Thonsey Drummond, 1421 Blakely Circle, Warren, and sister of Carla Daniel, 331 Deer Creek Trail, Cortland.
ADVANCED TRAINING
NCO graduate
Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Brian K. Wright graduated from the 30-day Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Maxwell Air Force Base-Gunter Annex, Montgomery, Ala. Wright is a services superintendent, assigned to Misawa Air Base, Japan. His brother, Michael L. Wright, resides at 1107 Federal St., Farrell, Pa.
ASSIGNMENTS
Support mission
Air Force Airman 1st Class Kenneth M. Welch been assigned to Kuwait in Southwest Asia to support the mission of Operation Southern Watch, a coalition force that conducts flying missions to ensure Iraq complies with United Nations Security Council resolutions calling for U.N. inspections. Welch, an A-10 crew chief, is normally assigned to the 74th Fighter Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, Fayetteville, N.C. He is the son of Julia A. Welch, 866 Berwin, Akron. His brother, Patrick Reed I, resides at 465 Clearmount, Youngstown.
Home from Middle East
Navy Seaman Tausha A. Terrell, daughter of Marcia Y. Terrell, 960 Plaza View, Youngstown, and Navy Ensign Daniel R. Mack, son of Mary C. and Raymond R. Mack, 329 Kenilworth Ave. S.E., Warren, recently returned from a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf on the dock landing ship USS Comstock.
Terrell is a 1992 graduate of Youngstown East High School. Mack is a 1995 graduate of John F. Kennedy Catholic High School of Warren, and a 1999 graduate of Xavier University.
PROMOTIONS
Cadet staff sergeant
WARREN -- Michael L. Altiere, a junior at the Marine Military Academy, Texas, was promoted to the rank of cadet staff sergeant and will serve as platoon commander. Altiere is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Altiere of Warren.
Austintown graduate
AUSTINTOWN -- Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert Kuti was promoted to his present rank while serving as quartermaster 3 aboard the USS Vella Gulf, part of the Roosevelt Group stationed six months in the Arabian Sea. Kuti, a son of Robert and CherylAnn Kuti, 4427 Aspen Drive, and graduated in 2000 from Austintown Fitch High School.
HONORS
Sailor of the Year
GIRARD -- Hans B. Semple, a son of Dr. Ed and Patrice Semple, of Girard, was named Sailor of the Year at Afloat Training Group, Atlantic. He competed against sailors from three regional ATG commands in Norfolk, Va., Mayport, Fla., and Ingleside, Texas. Semple, a 1991 graduate of Girard High School, has been decorated with the Navy Commendation Medal and four Navy Achievement Medals. Semple is a visual communications subject matter expert. He has given more than 1,400 hours of community service in Virginia Beach, Va.; was recognized by Depaul Medical Center for giving 745 hours of service; and was a finalist for the Samuel T. Northern Military Citizen of the Year award in the Hampton Roads community.
Sailor of the Day
GIRARD -- Navy Fireman Apprentice Christopher N.R. North, a son of Pamela North of Girard, was named Sailor of the Day by his shipmates aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk. North, a mechanic, is a 2000 graduate of Girard High School. The Kitty Hawk is based in Japan and was one of the first ships to support Operation Enduring Freedom.
XItems of note for the Military Roundup can be sent to The Vindicator, Regional Desk, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780.