VETERANS

VETERANS
Memorial Committee
STRUTHERS -- The Struthers Veterans Memorial Committee meets at 7 p.m. Monday at VFW Post 3538, 157 Lowellville Road.
Free park services
Many Ohio military veterans, and certain members in active duty, are eligible to receive free hunting and fishing licenses, free boat registrations and special recreational discounts at Ohio State park facilities.
Applications for free hunting and fishing licenses are available from the Ohio Division of Wildlife district offices in Columbus, Akron, Athens, Findlay and Xenia, or by calling (800) 943-5433. For more information on boat registrations, call (877) 426-2837; and about camping discounts, call (800) 827-1000.
Scriptwriting Contest
WASHINGTONVILLE -- VFW Post 5532 Commander Howard Stouffer, and Kim Evans, ladies auxiliary president, announced the area winners of their Voice of Democracy Scriptwriting Contest.
Participants wrote a three- to five-minute speech on the theme "My Commitment to America's Future." Winners, each of whom won a $500 college scholarship, are: Nathan Grace, senior, Leetonia High School; Samantha Works, junior, Crestview High School; and Laura DiGennaro, senior, Columbiana High School.
Meritorious Service Medal
BUTLER, Pa. -- Lawrence A. Biro, former director of the Veterans Affairs Stars & amp; Strips Healthcare Network, received the Meritorious Service Medal, the highest award the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs can give to a civilian. Butler VA Medical Center is part of the network led by Biro.
BASIC GRADS
Navy: Seaman Recruit Todd A. Garland (Youngstown Chaney High School, '03), son of Robert and Jeannette Garland of Youngstown.
Marine Corps: Pfc. Cory J. Longwell (Magnolia High School, New Martinsville, W.Va., '03), grandson of Lucy Starkey of Warren, Ohio; Pfc. Robert T. Kneram (Laurel High School, New Castle, Pa.,'02), grandson of Thomas D. and Gloria J. Kneram of Ellwood City, Pa.; Pvt. Steven T. Hadden (Hickory High School, Hermitage, Pa. '03), son of Cheryl L. and Tom C. Hadden of Hermitage.
PROMOTIONS
Chief petty officer
Ron Audia, a Navy corpsman, was recently promoted to the rank of chief petty officer. He is the leading petty officer in the Medical Company of Combat Service Support Group 3 in Kaneohe, Hawaii. He was promoted during a six-week training exercise with the Marine Corps in the Australian Outback.
Audia is the son of Frank and Kay Audia of New Middletown, and the father of Ryan and Timothy Audia of Bessemer, Pa. He is a 1982 graduate of Springfield Local High School.
HONORS
Haldie: Top flight chief
Air Force Master Sgt. John A. Haldie III has been named Fiscal 2003 top flight chief for his unit. In addition, Haldie received the 348th Squadron Commander's Special Achievement Award, the 369th Group Commander's Special Achievement Award and the 4th Senior Recruiter Badge. He is a flight chief with the 348th Recruiting Squadron, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.
His parents are Carol A. Haynie of Youngstown and John A. Haldie II of Bonita Springs, Fla. Haldie's wife, Margaret, is the daughter of Julia Walsh of Sixth Ave., Lyndhurst, N.J. The master sergeant graduated in 1985 from LaBrae High School, Leavittsburg, and received an associate degree in 2003 from the Community College of the Air Force.
DEPLOYED
Army Specialist Franko
Army Specialist Haldon Franko, son of Denise and Joseph Stadalski of Hubbard, and Timothy Franko of Girard, Camp Carroll, Korea. He is a 2001 graduate of Hubbard High School, and served two years with the Army Reserve in Farrell, Pa.
REUNIONS
USS Tarawa Veterans Association: April 15-18, 2004, Andover, Mass. Contact Chas E. Huck, 2842 Old Evansville Road, New Harmony, Ind. 47631.
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.