VETERANS

VETERANS
Marine Reunion
YOUNGSTOWN -- The 23rd annual Marine Reunion, hosted by the Tri-State Marine Corps League Detachment, is Saturday from 6 p.m. to midnight at ITAM Post 3, 113 S. Meridian Road.
Call (330) 758-6976 or (330) 533-2314 for information.
Navy essay contest
Sept. 1 is the deadline for entering the Naval Institute Enlisted Essay Contest. The top three essays will be published in the Naval Institute's flagship journal, Proceedings, and the winning authors will receive cash prizes of $1,500, $1,000 and $500.
All enlisted active-duty, reserve or retired personnel of all service branches and countries are encouraged to submit essays of 2,500 words or less on any subject relevant to military service. For a complete set of contest guidelines, go to the Web site www.navalinstitute.org, or call (410) 295-1058 or e-mail cderby@navalinstitute.org.
BASIC GRADS
Air Force: Airman Brian J. Hlywa (Struthers High School, '01), son of John Hlywa, Youngstown, and Viv Kurdziel, Struthers.
ADVANCED TRAINING
Navy, Air Force
UNavy Petty Officer 1st Class Richard J. Shoaff, son of Jane N. Shoaff of Salem, graduated from the two-month Fleet Cryptologic Systems Maintenance Course while assigned to Naval Technical Training Center, Corry Station, Pensacola, Fla. Shoaff is a 1991 graduate of Salem Senior High School.
*Air Force Airman 1st Class Daniel J. Nye has graduated from the aerospace maintenance (C-130 aircraft) apprentice course at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. Nye is assigned to the 50th Airlift Squadron at Little Rock. He is the son of Christine M. Nye and Steve Nye, both of Ellwood City, Pa., and is a 2001 graduate of Lincoln High School in Ellwood City.
HONORS
Achievement Medal
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Louis C. Bahr has been decorated with the Achievement Medal awarded for performance of meritorious service, acts of courage, or other outstanding achievements or accomplishments.
The newly promoted technical sergeant is a financial management supervisor assigned to the 347th Rescue Wing at Moody Air Force Base, Valdosta, Ga. He is the son of Paul L. Bahr and Patricia S. Bahr, both of Vienna.
He is a 1983 graduate of Mathews Local High School in Vienna and received an associate degree in 1986 from the Community College of the Air Force.
Sailor of the year
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Brian R. Rice, son of Catherine and Kelly Rice of New Castle, was named sailor of the year at Special Boat Squadron Two, Norfolk, Va., while serving as an information systems technician.
He provided communications support to nine patrol coastal ships and 79 deployed combatant craft through numerous joint, combined and multinational exercises.
Rice also received his second Achievement Medal for his selection. He is a 1987 graduate of New Castle Senior High School.
Meritorious Service
Air Force Master Sgt. Frank Yukon III received the Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding leadership while assigned to the 62nd Supply Squadron, McChord Air Force Base, Wash.
From October 1998 to March 2002, Yukon was an adviser overseeing construction of an $18.7 million hydrant fueling system and a $33 million computerized data system, and identified five critical program errors that were corrected before Air Force-wide implementation.
His efforts were key to the 62nd Supply Squadron's selection as the Best Supply Squadron in the Air Force Air Mobility Command for 2000.
Yukon, a son of Frank and Joanne Yukon Jr. of Youngstown, is married to the former Susan Hunsaker of Utah. He is a 1976 graduate of Youngstown Chaney High School and received a bachelor's degree from Wayland Baptist University in Texas and a master's degree from the University of La Verne in California.
ENDURING FREEDOM
Sailors and Marines
Several area residents are among more than 10,000 sailors and Marines aboard the ships of the USS George Washington Carrier Battle Group and USS Nassau Amphibious Ready Group, which will soon participate in Operation Enduring Freedom.
They are: Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew D. Engstrom, a 1997 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School, Warren. Engstrom's squadron flies the F/A-18C Hornet, a twin-engine supersonic strike fighter; Navy Petty Officer 1st Class David A. Walker, son of Dorothy E. and Raymond J. Walker of Mercer; Navy Petty Officer 1st Class JoAnn Sutton, a 1974 graduate of Youngstown South High School; Navy Airman Scott W. Smith, son of Larry A. Smith of Wellsville; Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Mary K. Pfaff, daughter of Margaret A. and Michael J. Pfaff of Warren; Navy Seaman Michael J. Ostrode, son of Sue and Bob Ostrode of Cortland; Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Stephen R. Downs, son of Susan E. McKinnis of New Castle, and Robert L. Downs of Woodbury, Conn. Downs is a 1993 graduate of Laurel High School in New Castle.
REUNIONS
37th Division Veterans Association (Buckeye Division): Sept. 13-15, 2002, Holiday Inn, 240 Hines Hill Road, Hudson 44236, hosted by the Mahoning Valley Chapter. Call (614) 228-3788 or contact James McGinnis, 3821 Frederick St., Youngstown 44515 (330) 799-7870 for information.
XItems of note for the Military Roundup can be sent to The Vindicator, Regional Desk, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780.