VETERANS

VETERANS
Thanksgiving donations
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The Lawrence County Veterans Affairs Office, along with the Community Outreach Program, is collecting nonperishable food items and financial contributions to provide food baskets for needy veterans and their families this Thanksgiving.
To make a financial contribution, send a check payable to Community Outreach, 4133 Ellwood Road, New Castle 16101. Beginning Monday, containers for donated food will be located at the main entrance of the Lawrence County Government Center and at the Veterans Office in the renovated side of the center. The deadline for donating money or food is Nov. 15. Call (724) 656-2180 for more information.
Medical care eligibility
Military personnel who recently served in a combat zone are eligible for two years of free medical care for most conditions from the Department of Veterans Affairs, says Anthony J. Principi, secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Most veterans must prove that a medical problem is connected to their military service to receive free VA care for that condition, or they must have relatively low incomes. Since Nov. 11, 1998, however, the VA has been authorized to provide free care for some veterans, such as those involved in the war against terrorism, within two years after leaving active duty. Veterans should contact their local VA clinic for more information.
Tests in '60s and '70s
Veterans who believe they may have been exposed to dangerous substances as part of the military's Project SHAD or Project 112 tests in the 1960s and early 1970s are encouraged to seek a medical evaluation from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The tests were designed to determine the vulnerability of warships to attacks with chemical or biological warfare agents. Veterans may call (880) 749-8387 for more information.
Post 3 officers
Gary Endress was installed as commander of Italian-American War Veterans Post 3 for 2002-03 by National Commander Joseph DelMonico.
Other Post 3 officers are: Jim Higgens, John Beene, Margaret Bonwick, Kathy Endress, Dominic Butch, Angelo Perruzzi, John Malyas, Phil Cardelein, John Sherock, Joe Frank, Bob Brienik, Neil Young and Bill Cannistra. During the ceremony, DelMonico presented 50-year service certificates to Chester Amedia, Dominic Butch, Ralph Anzivino, Raymond Garea and Anthony Tucci.
BASIC GRADS
Air Force: Airman Michael E. VonBergen (Howland High School, '02), son of Jerry and Michele VonBergen of Howland.
Army: Reserve Pfc. William R. Catlett (David Anderson High School, Lisbon, '02), son of Lenny and Kristina K. Catlett of Lisbon; Pfc. Steven O. Stone, son of Raymond and Caroline Stone of Salem.
ADVANCED TRAINING
Navy hospital
Navy Hospitalman Andrew J. Barth, son of Mary J. and Robert W. Barth of Boardman, graduated from the 14-week Basic Hospital Corps School at Naval Hospital Corps School, Great Lakes, Ill. Barth is a 2001 graduate of Youngstown Cardinal Mooney High School.
Leadership camp
Frank D. Razzano Jr., Joshua T. Christy, and Matthew N. Olsen graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) National Advanced Leadership Camp at Fort Lewis, Wash.
Razzano is the son of Frank D. Razzano Sr. of Bonita Springs, Fla., and Joanne Delissier of Wampum, Pa., and is a 1997 graduate of Mohawk Area High School, Bessemer, Pa.
Christy is the son of Karl A. and Marcia D. Christy of Mercer, Pa.
Olsen is the son of Raymond N. and Susan E. Olsen of Greenville, Pa., and graduated in 1999 from Greenville High School.
Transmission systems
Army Pvt. Jason A. Goerig graduated from the 12-week multichannel transmission systems operator course at Fort Gordon, Ga. He is the son of David J. and Elizabeth A. Goerig of Leetonia, and is a 2000 graduate of Leetonia High School.
MISCELLANEOUS
Combat rescue
Air Force Airman Amanda L. Darrah, daughter of Wilma L. Sylak of Mineral Ridge, is a member of the commander's support staff of the 347th Rescue Wing, Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The 347th is the Air Force's only active duty combat rescue wing, which goes into combat situations to treat and rescue survivors. Darrah is a 2001 graduate of Mineral Ridge High School.
Stationed in Vienna
Air Force Reserve Staff Sgt. Trelayne Edwards has arrived for duty at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Vienna. Edwards has 11 years of military service. He is the son of Viola Ford of Youngstown and is a 1990 graduate of East High School in Youngstown.
REUNIONS
USS Tarawa Veterans Association: April 3-6, 2003, Myrtle Beach, S.C. Contact Chas E. Huck, 2842 Old Evansville Road, New Harmony, Ind. 47631, or C. Roscoe Turner, 16 South St., Walton, N.Y. 13856.
XItems of note for the Military Roundup can be sent to The Vindicator, Regional Desk, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780.