VETERANS

VETERANS
Legion commander
POLAND -- Joe Vrabel, American Legion Mahoning Valley Post 15 commander, was elected commander of the Ohio American Legion at the organization's annual convention. Vrabel, a Life Member of Mahoning Valley Post 15, served in the Army during the Korean War.
He has had various offices at Post 15, and has served as Department of Ohio historian, second vice commander, and first vice commander.
Vrabel is a past commander of the Dynamic Ninth District, where he is adviser for its Sons of The American Legion and for Mahoning Valley Squadron 15. He also is past commander of the Mahoning County Council, and a member of numerous veterans groups, including Korean War Veterans Association Chapter 137, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 135, The Fifth Regimental Combat Team Association, VFW Post 7538, 37th Division Association, Army-Navy Garrison 422, and is a charter member of the Mahoning Valley Honor Guard.
Vrabel, retired from LTV Steel, is a former president of United Steelworkers of America Local Union 2163 and served on the Youngstown Area AFL-CIO Executive Council.
He is a retired businessman, having owned and operated a tavern and restaurant for 27 years. He is a member of the National Rifle Association, and Free & amp; Accepted Masons Lodge 615 in Youngstown.
BASIC GRADS
Air Force: Airman Jan P. Patterson Jr. (Henry E. Lackey High School, Indian Head, Md. '02), son of Maria Mattei of Indian Head and Jan Patterson of Warren.
Army: Pvt. Donald R. Dover (Shenango Area Junior Senior High School, New Castle, Pa. '02), son of Karen Dover of New Castle; Pvt. Adam Armstrong (Life Skills Center, Youngstown, '02), son of Dale Armstrong of Farmdale; Pvt. Michael J. Shuttleworth (Lincoln High School, Ellwood City, Pa. '00), son of Kandy Shuttleworth of Ellwood City.
Air Force Academy: Jonathan H. Camilletti (Wheeling Park High School, Wheeling, W.Va., '03) has entered basic cadet training at the Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo., in preparation to enter the first academic year at the academy. He is the son of Marie and Brian Farnsworth of East Liverpool, and grandson of George Macek of Wheeling.
ADVANCED TRAINING
Air Force maintenance
Air Force Airman Heidi L. Hall graduated from the maintenance production management course at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.
Hall is assigned to the 16th Maintenance Operation Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. She is the daughter of Donald G. and Margret Hall of Southington, and a 2002 graduate of Cleveland Christian School.
PROMOTIONS
Petty officer 1st class
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew Fortunato, son of Barbara Bartos of Youngstown, was promoted to his current rank while serving with Naval Support Activity Security Detachment, La Maddalena, Italy.
HONORS
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Airman 1st Class Johnathan M. Batchelder has been decorated with the Aerial Achievement Medal, awarded to aircrew members who demonstrate acts of merit, exceptional performance or outstanding airmanship during sustained operational activities.
Batchelder is an airborne radar technician assigned to the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. He is the son of Karen B. Batchelder of Hermitage, Pa., and is a 1999 graduate of Hickory High School, Hermitage.
DEPLOYED
Returns from Persian Gulf
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Tausha A. Terrell, daughter of Marcia Y. Terrell of Youngstown, recently returned from a deployment to the Persian Gulf as part of Task Force 51 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was assigned to the dock landing ship USS Comstock, home-ported in San Diego, Calif. Terrell is a 1992 graduate of Youngstown East High School.
Back from Afghanistan
Army Specialist Michal Puskar recently completed a five-month deployment to Afghanistan serving with Task Force Devil during Operation Iraqi Freedom as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, 2nd Battalion 505th out of Fort Bragg, N.C. He is a son of Bozena and Miro Puskar of Youngstown, and is a 2000 graduate of Youngstown Cardinal Mooney High School.
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.