VETERANS

VETERANS
YSU ROTC alumni
YOUNGSTOWN -- James J. Fairbanks of Hubbard, Youngstown State University Class of 1969, was installed as 2002 president of the YSU Reserve Officer Training Corps Alumni Association.
Other 2002 officers include: John Pierog of Poland, class of 1966, vice president; Joseph L. Sacchini of Youngstown, class of 1952, treasurer; Carl Nunziato of Boardman, class of 1961, secretary; and Bernie Kosar Sr. of Boardman, class of 1959, board of directors.
American Legion
GIRARD -- Dewitt McConnell American Legion Post 235 installed its 2002 officers. They include: Pete Scannell, commander; Ken Lewis, first vice commander; Laney Hill, second vice commander; Charles Schenkel, adjutant; and Jerry Helt, treasurer. Auxiliary officers are: Denise Luther, president; Kathy Hill, first vice president; Christina Hill, second vice president; and Jane Bell, secretary/treasurer.
Sons of the American Legion officers are: Richard Fleischer, commander; Michael Deconcilus, first vice commander; John Bell, adjutant; and Jim Forysth, finance officer.
BASIC GRADS
UMarine Corps: Pvt. Darryl E. Badger (Lawrence County Vocational Technical High School, New Castle, Pa., '00), son of Sharon K. and Larry B. Badger, Ellwood City, Pa.
PROMOTIONS
UArmy Sgt. 1st Class William J. Craven Jr. was promoted to his present rank while assigned to the 347th Quartermaster Co., Pendel-Caminiti Center, Farrell, Pa., and is now assigned to the 99th Regional Support Command, Moon Township, Pa. Craven, a 1987 graduate of Youngstown Woodrow Wilson High School, has been selected for the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course at Fort Lee, Va. He is a son of William J. Craven Sr., Youngstown, and Harriett Demeretz, Struthers.
UAir Force Reserve Maj. Kenneth M. Herstine was promoted to his present rank while serving as Officer in Charge, B Flight of the 445th Aircraft Generation Squadron at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton. Herstine is a son of Mary Herstine of New Waterford, a 1976 graduate of Columbiana Local High School and a 1992 graduate of Park University in Missouri, with a bachelor of science degree in logistics management. His civilian job is as a program analyst at Wright-Patterson. He, his wife, Sherry, and their three children live in Huber Heights, Ohio.
ENDURING FREEDOM
UNavy Ensign William K. Gilmore, Petty Officer 3rd Class Cedric D. Stanford and Seaman Robert J. Kuti Jr. recently returned from a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf as part of the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Battle Group and USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group that participated in Operation Enduring Freedom. Kuti, a son of Cheryl A. and Robert J. Kuti, Austintown, and a 2000 graduate of Austintown Fitch High School, was assigned to the guided missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf. Stanford, son of Fresha T. and Sam C. Stanford, Youngstown, and a 1995 graduate of The Rayen School, was assigned to the guided missile destroyer USS Ramage. Gilmore, son of Dorothy J. and Jasper Gilmore, Youngstown, is a 1987 graduate of Youngstown Christian School; a graduate of Norfolk State University, Va., with a bachelor of science degree; and a graduate of St. Leo College, Fla.
OPERATION JOINT GUARDIAN
UArmy Sgts. Eric M. Bishop and Charles A. Cross have returned to Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga., from a six-month deployment to Kosovo, a Serbian province in the Balkans. Bishop, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry, as a unit supply specialist, participated in Operation Joint Guardian, a multinational peacekeeping mission. Each of the returning soldiers was awarded the Kosovo Campaign Medal and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal. Bishop is the son of Pamela S. King, New Waterford, and Robert E. Bishop, Culpeper, Va. He is a 1997 graduate of Crestview High School, Columbiana. Cross, a team leader with the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry, is the son of Sue E. and Jack H. Cross, Bristolville, and a 1996 graduate of Bristol High School, Bristolville.
STUDENT AWARDS
Essay and art contests
Three winners in the essay and art contests of St. Stanislaus Post 1222 of the Catholic War Veterans won first, second and third in state competition.
Madison Goski, St. Christine School, placed first in the state art competition, and Carmelo Kiraly, St. Charles School, and Angelo Rovnyak, Byzantine Catholic Central School, were second and third, respectively, in the state essay contest.
The local top three winners are:
UArt: Marisa Laguardia, Holy Family School; Madison Goski; Michael Rossi, St. Charles School.
UEssay: Carmelo Kiraly; Elizabeth Pugh, Immaculate Heart of Mary School; Angelo Rovnyak.
REUNIONS
U86th Infantry (Blackhawk) Division: Sept. 19-23, 2002, Fort Mitchell, Ky. For all those attached to the 86th between 1942 and 1946 as part of the 1st Army Division. Contact Bob Bookbinder, 3050 Palm Aire Drive North, #310, Pompano Beach, Fla. 33069.
XItems of note for the Military Roundup can be sent to The Vindicator, Regional Desk, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780.