VETERANS

VETERANS
POW/MIA event
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County's eighth annual POW/MIA Recognition Day is Sept. 19, in the courtyard in front of the Lawrence County Government Center, beginning at 11 a.m. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be in Courtroom 4 in the government center.
The guest speaker will be Don Conti, chairman of the New Castle Area Transit Authority's board of directors. The event is sponsored by The Lawrence County Commissioners and Department of Veterans Affairs, in cooperation with the county Veterans' Council.
Guests and the public are invited to a reception in the lounge area of the first floor of the government center after the ceremony.
Any former prisoner of war who lives in Lawrence County and has not registered with the Veterans Office is asked to do so by calling (724) 656-2137 or (724) 656-2180. Special invitations will be mailed to all former POWs and to government officials.
BASIC GRADS
Marine Corps: Pfc. Beau J. Richards (Western Reserve High School, Berlin Center, '98), son of Merlene F. Richards of Berlin Center and Larry J. Richards of Elyria.
Army: Pvt. Derek J. Hedglin (Grove City, Pa., High School, '01), son of Mike and Debra Heddglin of Grove City.
ADVANCED TRAINING
Leadership school
Air Force Staff Sgt. Kyle M. Skidmore has graduated from the five-week Airman Leadership School at Hurlburt Field, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. The recently promoted Skidmore is an aerospace propulsion journeyman assigned to the 16th Aircraft Generation Squadron at Hurlburt Field. He is the son of Richard A. and Dianna M. Skidmore of Southington and is a 1996 graduate of Chalker High School, Southington.
Supply management
Air Force Airman Brandon D. Woodruff has completed the six-week Supply Management Apprentice Course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, where he was a distinguished graduate. Woodruff, a 2001 graduate of Youngstown Ursuline High School, is a son of Diane and stepson of Ron Copeland of Austintown. He is stationed at Spangdahlem Air Force Base in Germany.
YSU ROTC
Six Youngstown State University Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets completed 32-day Army Leadership Training Courses at Fort Lewis, Wash., and Fort Knox, Ky. The top camp graduate at Fort Lewis was Cadet Paul Stankich of Boardman. Other YSU cadets who completed training at Fort Lewis are: James Filicky of Hubbard, Keona McNair of Youngstown, William Ramey of Warren and Amy Spooner of East Palestine. Cadet Frank B. Wanat of Poland trained at Fort Knox, Ky.
Transportation
Air Force Airman 1st Class Stephanie M. Cetor completed training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and was assigned with the 37th Transportation Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. A daughter of John and Micha Cetor, she is a 2000 graduate of Austintown Fitch High School.
Cryptologic course
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Richard J. Shoaff, son of Jane N. Shoaff of Salem, graduated from the two-month Fleet Cryptologic Systems Maintenance Course at Naval Technical Training Center, Pensacola, Fla. He is a 1991 graduate of Salem Senior High School.
First 91Ws class
FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- The Army's first class of 91Ws, a new classification of combat health-care specialists that combines the skills and training of two military health-care occupations -- license practical nurse and combat medics -- has graduated from the 16-week course. Many are already serving in Afghanistan. The Army Medical Department developed the 91W medic, also known as 91 Whiskey, to operate as part of small, mobile medical detachments. The new Army medics graduates also earn certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians in basic trauma-life support and trauma-AIMS, which consists of trauma assessment, advanced airway treatment, IV therapy and medication and shock management.
HONORS
Sailor of the Year
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Brian R. Rice was named Sailor of the Year at Special Boat Squadron Two, Norfolk, Va., where he is an information systems technician. He also received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Rice, a son of Kelly and Catherine Rice of New Castle, is a 1987 graduate of New Castle Senior High School.
XItems of note for the Military Roundup can be sent to The Vindicator, Regional Desk, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780.