RECYCLE | Phone books and magazines

HONORS
NCO of the Year
Air Force Staff Sgt. Heather I. Griffiths is Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year for the 96th Medical Group at Elgin Air Force Base, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
She also was a nominee for NCO of the Year for the 96th Air Wing at Elgin, and as such attended a luncheon in February with other nominees and base officials, where she was introduced to President Bush.
Griffiths, a 1992 graduate of Youngstown Chaney High School, is assistant NCO in charge and a pharmacy technician at Elgin AFB Regional Hospital. She will mark her 10th year of military service in September.
Griffiths, 28, has been the 96th Medical Group's Pharmacy Technician of the Year for the past two years. She recently participated in a volunteer humanitarian mission to provide medicine and relief in Nicaragua after hurricanes struck the country.
Griffiths, a daughter of Barbi Morell and stepdaughter of Joe Morell, Callahan Road, Canfield, and daughter of Luther Griffiths of Canfield, is pursuing a marketing degree at Okaloosa-Walton Community College, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
HONORS
Commendation Medal
Army Sgt. James W. Miller was decorated with the Army Commendation Medal while serving as a training room supervisor assigned to the 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery, Fort Sill, Okla. His wife, Cynthia, is a daughter of Hugh and Janice Sapp, Anderson Avenue, Warren.
PROMOTIONS
New colonel
Air Force Col. James J. Muscatell Jr., son of James and Margaret Muscatell of Lowellville, was promoted to his present rank while serving as commander of the 514th Operations Group, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.
As a group commander, he is responsible for nine squadrons and about 1,300 people, many of whom are participating in missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle at McGuire and in the Middle East.
Muscatell was born in Youngstown, is a 1974 graduate of Prince George High School in Virginia and of the Air Force Academy in 1979. He is a command pilot with more than 7,000 hours in five aircraft and his decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal.
Army Reserve sergeant
Army Reserve Sgt. Melissa J. Swope was promoted to her present rank while serving as a military policeman with the 307th Military Police Company in New Kensington, Pa. She is a sister of Shirley Swope, Elva Avenue, Youngstown.
VETERANS
Free screenings
BUTLER, Pa. -- The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center offers free health screenings for veterans from 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at 325 New Castle Road. Veterans applying for a doctor's appointment must bring their discharge papers. No appointment is necessary. Call (724) 285-2210 for more information.
ADVANCED TRAINING
Another step
Area residents who have completed advanced military training:
U Army Spec. Jennie R. Kerstetter graduated from the five-week Primary Leadership Development Course at Fort Richardson, Alaska. The course is a prerequisite for promotion to the rank of sergeant. Kerstetter is a shop office supervisor with Delta Company, 172nd Signal Battalion. She is a 1990 graduate of Linesville, Pa., High School and a daughter of Sandra L. Teter, Ida Lane, Jamestown, Pa.
U Army Pvt. Phillip W. Cassida graduated from the light-wheel vehicle mechanic advanced individual training course at Fort Jackson, S.C. Cassida is a son of Cindy K. Cassida, Lake Wilhelm Road, Clarks Mills, Pa., and Robert D. Cassida, Sandy Lake, Pa., and is a 2001 graduate of Lakeview High School, Stoneboro, Pa.
U Army Pvt. Lysette M. Minotti graduated from the unit supply specialist advanced individual training course at Fort Lee, Va. Minotti is a daughter of LeAnn Minotti, Lawrence Avenue, and Paul E. Minotti, East Liberty Street, both in Girard, and is a 1999 graduate of Girard High School.
ASSIGNMENT
Mission support
Army Pvt. Gregory M. Chizmar has been assigned to an overseas forward operating area to support the mission of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Chizmar is a heavy-wheel vehicle mechanic normally assigned to the 7th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment at Fort Campbell, Ky. He is a 2000 graduate of Champion High School and the son of Melanie L. Nutkins, Shafer Road, Champion.
XItems of note for the Military Roundup can be sent to The Vindicator, Regional Desk, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780.