VETERANS

VETERANS
'Iron Mike' to speak
YOUNGSTOWN -- Sgt. Maj. Mike Mervosh, retired, former Marine Corps Fleet Marine Force Pacific sergeant major, is the main speaker for the Marine Corps League's Tri-State Detachment's 25th annual reunion Saturday at Italian American Post 3, 113 S. Meridian Road.
The reunion, from 6 p.m. to midnight, will include a memorial service, historical displays, ship's store, buffet dinner and door prizes. Tickets are $20 each. All Marines, former Marines, spouses and friends may attend. For reservations, call (330) 533-2314 or (330) 533-3433 by Tuesday.
Mervosh, known as "Iron Mike," served from September 1942 to September 1977. During his career, he fought in several battles in the South Pacific, including Iwo Jima, during World War II. He also served in Korea and in two tours in Vietnam.
A native of Pittsburgh, Mervosh and his wife, Margaret, live in Oceanside, Calif.
Director of VA center
Darin S. Selnick, former California state commander for Jewish War Veterans, has been appointed the director of the Department of Veterans Affairs' new Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.
The center's purpose is to identify barriers that limit faith-based and other community organizations from delivering services to veterans, and propose ways to remove those barriers, including new regulations, procurement procedures, internal policies and outreach activities, said Anthony J. Principi, VA secretary. Selnick, an Air Force veteran, joined the VA in 2001 as a special assistant at the VA's Learning University.
HONORS
Naval aviator wings
Navy Lt. j.g. Brock T. Stefura, son of John and Beth Stefura, and the late Thomas Koivisto, received his Naval Aviator Wings of Gold at Naval Air Station, Meridian, Miss.
Stefura is a 1998 graduate of Lakeview High School and a 2002 merit graduate of the Naval Academy, where he received a bachelor of science degree in ocean engineering. He has been selected to train on the S-3 Viking at Naval Air Station, North Island, Calif.
DEPLOYED
Enduring Freedom
Air Force Lt. Col. Dave S. Garrett is deployed overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Garrett, an assistant director of operations, is normally assigned to the 37th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, Rapid City, S.D.
He is the son of William and Penny Garrett of Leetonia. Garrett graduated in 1982 from Leetonia High School and received a bachelor's degree in 1987 from Kent State University.
BASIC GRADS
Air Force: Airman Michael B. Swab (Brookfield High School, '03), son of Kathryn and John Swab of Brookfield; Airman Jennifer K. Essex (Brookfield High School, '03), daughter of Wanda Trivette of Masury and Thomas Essex of Davenport, Iowa; Airman Nathan W. Zimmerman (Mineral Ridge High School, '02), son of Carol and William Zimmerman of Mineral Ridge.
Army: Pvt. Albert L. Mount (Mercer, Pa., High School, '03), son of Brian and Susan Mount of Mercer; Pvt. Jeremy M. Pavick (Maplewood High School, '03), son of Kimberly Pavick of Cortland; Pvt. Chad A. Quail (West Branch High School, '03), son of Alex and Chrystal Quail of Salem.
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.