VETERANS

VETERANS
Young advocate
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 7 p.m. March 25 at American Legion Post 737, 16465 Milton Ave., Lake Milton. The meeting is open to the public.
Nikki, an honorary junior member of Rolling Thunder National, has also been designated an Honorary Veteran, and in Pennsylvania received the Medal of Commendation, the state's second highest civilian honor.
Nikki, an eighth-grader who lives in a small town outside Pittsburgh, has met two presidents and addressed the state VFW convention in Pennsylvania.
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.
Free health evaluations
BUTLER, Pa. -- The Mobile Outreach Team from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center here will offer free medical evaluations to veterans from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 5 at VFW Post 315, New Castle, Pa. Appointments are not necessary, but veterans are asked to bring a copy of their discharge papers.
BASIC GRADS
Training completed
Several area residents completed basic military training. They include:
UAIR FORCE: Airman Sean M. Adkins, son of Sandra Nalley, 9647 Union Ridge Road, Rogers; Airman Sean P. Secich (Sharon, Pa., High School, '01), son of Robin Bialko, 1155 Baldwin Ave., and Dennis
Secich, 347 Spruce Ave., both of Sharon; Airman Bobby Jo Kerner (Southern Local Junior Senior High School, Salineville, '01), daughter of Annette Kerner, 14518 Fink Road, Kensington; Airman James M. Warner (Chalker High School, Southington, '01), son of Cynthia Warner, 5486 state Route 422, Southington; Air Force Airman Sabrina S. Shemo (Southern Local High School, Salineville, '01), daughter of James and Kathy Bowers, 39832 state Route 518, Lisbon; Airman Kelly B. Lewis, son of David and Robin Lewis, 9 Williamson Road, Greenville, Pa.; Airman James L. Amelung (Carrollton High School, '01), son of Don and Karen Amelung, 3240 Brush Road N.E., East Rochester; Airman Matthew C. Calderon (Lowellville High School, '01), son of Charles and Joyce Calderon, 2449 S. Hubbard Road, Lowellville; Airman Mircea L. Cristea (Brookfield High School, '95), son of Darlene and John Parobek, 1740 Warner Road, Vienna; Reserve Airman 1st Class Jared A. Pratt (Mathews High School, Vienna, '01), son of William and Linda Pratt, 100 Norton Drive, Vienna; National Guard Airman 1st Class Blake T. Baxendell (Greenville, Pa., High School), son of Ronald and Anita Baxendell, 611 Denver St., Jamestown, Pa.
UARMY: Pvt. Troy P. Mackall (East Palestine High School, '01), son of Cyndee Mackall, 190 E. 12th St., Salem, and Dale Mackall, 7095 Bye Road, East Palestine; Reserve Pvt. William D. Cole (Southern Local High School, Salineville, '00), son of Regina Owens, 62 Black Alley, Salineville; Pvt. Melissa M. Kranning (Minerva High School, '00), daughter of Debra and Ricky Kranning, 11972 Lynchberg Road, Kensington; Pvt. Timothy L. Hubbard (Pymatuning Valley High School, Andover '01), son of Patricia Hubbard, 181 Maplewood Drive, Cortland; Pvt. Jessica L. Johnson (R.B. Hayes High School, Delaware, '00), daughter of Anita M. Fogle, 5 E. Fountain Ave., Delaware, Ohio, and Ernie L. Johnson, 304 Struthers-Liberty Road, Campbell; Spec. Elmer W. Takash III (Hubbard High School, '95, and Youngstown State University, '00), son of Robin Takash, 3034 Pothour Wheeler Road, Hubbard.
UMARINE CORPS: Reserve Pvt. Timothy I Malcuit, (Valhalla High School, El Cajon, Calif., '01), son of Lynday M. West, 1810 Hillsdale Road, El Cajon, Calif., and Timothy I. Malcuit, 6351 state Route 45, Bristolville; Pvt. Kenneth M. Reiber Jr. (Grove City, Pa., High School, '98), son of Penny K. and Kenneth M. Reiber, 894 Leesburg Station Road, Volant, Pa.
ADVANCED TRAINING
Graduations
Area residents who completed advanced military training include:
Army Pvt. Justin M. Peace and Army Pfc. Tawinka M. Sloan graduated from the unit supply specialist advanced individual training course at Fort Lee, Petersburg, Va.
Peace, a son of Karla Broadnax, 3245 E. 140th, Cleveland, and William Peace, Youngstown, is a 2001 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Youngstown.
Sloan, a daughter of Malloyn V. and Richard L. Robinson, 942 E. Dewey Ave., Youngstown, is a 2001 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Youngstown.
PROMOTIONS
Staff sergeant
Air Force Staff Sgt. Anthony J. Pisula was promoted to his present rank while serving as a personnel supervisor with the 470th Air Base Squadron, Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base, Germany. He is a son of Marie and Thomas Pisula, 2903 N. Beaver St., New Castle, Pa., and a 1994 graduate of Neshannock High School, New Castle.
REUNIONS
USS Robert K. Huntington (DD-781): April 10-14, 2002, Surfside Oceanfront Inn, 1211 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach, Va. Contact J. A. McGrath, 142 Bradford Circle, Clayton, N.C. 27520-6679.
XItems of note for the Military Roundup can be sent to The Vindicator, Regional Desk, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780.