VETERANS

VETERANS
National commander
WINDHAM -- Robert L. Towles of Windham was elected national commander of the Combat Infantrymen's Association (CIA) during the organization's annual meeting in Harrisburg, Pa. Towles, a Vietnam War veteran, is a charter member of CIA's Headquarters Co., 1st Battalion, 2nd Regiment, Akron, and is the first Ohioan elected national commander. CIA, an all-ground combat association, has its national headquarters in Asheville, N.C. For membership information, contact: Combat Infantrymen's Association, National Headquarters, 70 Woodfin Place, Suite 323, Asheville, N.C. 28801-2466.
BASIC GRADS
Air Force: Airman Thomas E. Pease (East Liverpool High School, '00), son of Thomas E. and Kathryn Pease of East Liverpool.
Army: Reserve Pvt. Rosanna I. Homer, daughter of Donna Budetich of Greenville, Pa., and David B. Homer of Transfer, Pa.
Navy: Seaman Recruit Bruce E. Wigton Jr. (Shenango High School, New Castle, Pa., '03), son of Bonnie J. and Bruce E. Wigton of New Castle.
ADVANCED TRAINING
Basic Food Service
Marine Corps Pfc. William M. Jones, son of Linda V. and William M. Jones of Youngstown, has completed the Basic Food Service Course at Fort Lee, Va.
Meteorology Program
Air Force 1st Lt. Kristopher Kripchak, a 1996 graduate of Youngstown Chaney High School and a 2000 graduate of Akron University, has completed the Meteorology Program at Texas A & amp;M University and the Weather Officer Course at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. He is assigned to the 11th Operational Weather Squadron at Elemendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. Kripchak is the son of Joe and Ethel Kripchak of Youngstown.
DEPLOYED
USS Philippine Sea
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Kristopher J. Hall, son of Christola Hall of New Castle, Pa., is serving aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea, homeported in Mayport, Fla. Hall is a 2000 graduate of New Castle High School.
USS Gettysburg
Navy Lt. j. g. Thomas J. Farina, son of Robin L. and Thomas J. Farina of Boardman, is aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, homeported in Mayport, Fla. Farina is a 1997 graduate of Boardman High School, and a 2001 graduate of the Naval Academy.
Incirlik Air Base, Turkey
Air Force Senior Airman Lucille M. McNults is assigned to Incirlik Air Base, Adana, Turkey, as a biomedical equipment journeyman with the 39th Medical Squadron. She is the daughter of Thomas E. McNults of Youngstown, and Karen S. Gordon of Las Vegas, Nev. The senior airman is a 2001 graduate of Austintown Fitch High School.
Husband-wife team
Air Force 1st Lt. Benjamin E. Hettinga and 1st Lt. Jennifer A. Hettinga, a husband and wife team, are serving at Incirlik Air Base, Adana, Turkey.
Benjamin, a flight commander, is assigned to the 39th Security Forces Squadron. His parents are Norbert H. and Tamera D. Hettinga of Salem. He graduated in 1996 from Salem High School and received a bachelor's degree in 2000 from the Air Force Academy, Colo. He earned his master's degree in 2001 from The Ohio State University.
Jennifer, a deputy flight commander, is assigned to the 39th Operations Squadron. Her parents are Davis S. and Rhonda J. Holland of Alexandria, Va. She graduated in 1996 from T.C. Williams High School, Alexandria, and received a bachelor's degree in 2000 from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. She earned her master's degree in 2001 from The Ohio State University.
USS Gonzalez
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Hans B. Semple, son of Patrice M. and Edward E. Semple of Girard, was recently sent to the Mediterranean Sea aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Gonzalez, homeported in Norfolk, Va. Semple is a 1991 graduate of Girard High School.
Liberia to USS Nashville
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas L. Mills Jr., son of Charlotte McLaughlin of Andover, and Thomas L. Mills Sr. of West Leechburg, Pa., recently left the coast of Liberia, West Africa, where he was assigned to the amphibious transport dock ship USS Nashville, homeported in Norfolk, Va.
ROTC
Advanced leadership
John N. Grillis graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) National Advanced Leadership Camp at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash. Grillis is the son of Nikitas G. and Sahara Grillis of Lowellville. He is a 1997 graduate of Campbell Memorial High School and a 2000 graduate of Youngstown State University.
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.