VETERANS

VETERANS
World War II registry
The American Battle Monuments Commission has begun a World War II Registry online to document the names of people who participated in history's largest war. Any American who served in the armed forces or contributed to the war effort on the home front is eligible to register. The registry is accessible on the Web site of the National World War II Memorial at www.WWIImemorial.com or by calling toll free (800) 639-4992. There is no charge to place a name in the registry.
BASIC GRADS
Navy: Seaman Apprentice David M. Small (Sharpsville, Pa., High School, '99), son of Deborah L. and Dave A. Small of Sharpsville.
WHAT THEY'RE DOING
Marines practicing
Marine Cpls. Michael E. Finlen, a combat engineer, and John F. Silwanus, a combat correspondent, recently participated in a Marine Air and Ground Task Force, which included military maneuvers with military units from other nations such as Thailand, Brunei, Singapore and Malaysia.
Finlen is a 1999 graduate of Hubbard High School, and a son of James Finlen of Youngstown and Marilyn Woods of Hubbard. Silwanus is a son of Hugo Silwanus of Columbiana.
Underwater tech support
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jason A. Killin is a machinist's mate on the Navy's only operational, diesel-electric, deep-diving research and development submarine, the USS Dolphin, which has a crew of only five officers and 45 sailors. The Dolphin serves as a scientific platform capable of operations at depths exceeding that of any known operational submarine.
Killin, a son of Richard and Rachel Killin of Girard, works on pumps, valves, hydraulic fluid systems, diesel engines and various support systems on the ship. He is a 1991 graduate of Girard High School.
Pluchinsky's covert work
Air Force 2nd Lt. Lori A. Pluchinsky, daughter of Robert E. and Jewel A. Pluchinsky of Poland, works in covert operations with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations in Washington, D.C., out of which crime-solving special agents, technical specialists, forensic sciences consultants, polygraphists, behavioral scientists, computer crime investigators and undercover agents work.
Pluchinsky, who graduated in 1994 from Poland High School and then received a bachelor of science degree in education from Youngstown State University, is chief of personnel customer support at OSI headquarters, supervising five sections that cover assignments, customer service, retention, personnel evaluations and awards and decorations.
Senior Airman Williams
Air Force Senior Airman Kevin J. Williams, son of Roger and Virginia Williams of Girard, is a crew chief for the F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter. Williams, a 1995 graduate of Girard High School, does pre- and post-flight checks on the planes, which were among the first aircraft to fly on the opening day of the allied campaign in Iraq, delivering bombs inside Baghdad as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sevenich is crew chief
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kevin W. Sevenich, son of Francis and Marta Sevenich of Leetonia, is a flying crew chief of the Speckled Trout planes that fly top military and elected officials on round trips to locations where the United States has no diplomatic presence, and tests high-tech parts for the military's cargo plane fleet.
Sevenich, a 1986 graduate of Leetonia High School, is an aircraft technician responsible for day-to-day maintenance of the Trout at home at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and all aircraft maintenance on the road.
Halloran completes camp
Army ROTC Cadet Michael J. Halloran, son of Michael and Gail Halloran of Youngstown, participated in ROTC's 32-day advanced leadership camp at Fort Lewis, Wash.
He's a 2000 graduate of Boardman High School and a junior at John Carroll University in Cleveland.
YSU ROTC cadets
Nine YSU Army ROTC cadets completed the national advanced leadership camp at Fort Lewis. They include: Christopher J. Cerni of Boardman; Megan R. Luteran of Hermitage, Pa.; John A. MacFarland of Boardman, Daniel C. Rodriguez of Youngstown, Gaetano M. Snow of Youngstown, Jared Souder of East Liverpool, Tara L. Steele of Campbell, Lakeisha D. Teague of Youngstown, and Frank B. Wanat of Poland.
Cadets complete training
Two YSU ROTC cadets completed Airborne and Air Assault training. They are: Joseph Brinsko of Lowellville, Airborne, Fort Benning, Ga.; and Joshua Colucci of Canfield, air assault, Fort Campbell, Ky.
REUNIONS
USS Bogue No. 9: Sept. 18-22, 2003, Alexandria, Va. Contact Bob Kruger, 3901 Sunset Maple Court, Raleigh, N.C. 27612.
Ohio LST/Amphibs Association: Sept. 12-14, 2003, Best Western Hotel, Wooster, Ohio Contact Norge Santin, 4407 Ranchwood Road, Akron 44333.
37th Infantry Buckeye Division: Sept. 19-21, 2003, Camp Perry, Ohio. Contact Ross Nigro, 19421 Marwood Ave., Cleveland 44135.
XItems of note for the Military Roundup can be sent to The Vindicator, Regional Desk, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780, or e-mailed to alcorn@vindy.com.