PROMOTIONS

PROMOTIONS
Col. Jerry Pierson
Army Col. Jerry Pierson of McDonald was named commander of the Army Medical Materiel Development Activity at Fort Detrick, Md., effective Friday. The unit develops drugs, vaccines and medical devices to support U.S. military forces.
Col. Pierson is a 1975 graduate of McDonald High and has bachelor of science and doctorate degrees from Ohio State University. He is married to the former Carrie Ann Ague, also of McDonald. His parents, Jack and Margaret Pierson, formerly of McDonald, live in Boardman.
Ensign Bryan N. Mack
Navy Ensign Bryan N. Mack, son of Marie L. Mack of Ellwood City, Pa., and Terry L. Mack of Moon Township, Pa., received his commission after completing the 13-week Officer Candidate School at Officer Training Command, Pensacola, Fla.
DEPLOYED
Spec. 4 Robert Kirkpatrick
Army Infantry Spec. 4 Robert Kirkpatrick, a 2002 graduate of Girard High School, was sent to Iraq last week from Kuwait, where he had been since the end of July. He was previously stationed at Camp Casey, South Korea, near the demilitarized zone, with the 1/503 Air Assault Battalion of the 2nd Infantry Division. He is scheduled to be in Iraq for at least a year. Kirkpatrick, who has served as a team leader and is trained as a sniper, is a son of Bob and Joyce Kirkpatrick of Girard.
Pfc. DeAnna K. Cedeno1st Lt. Craig K. Colton
Army National Guard Pfc. DeAnna K. Cedeno and 1st Lt. Craig K. Colton have been deployed to Kosovo as members of the U.S. Army contingent serving as part of the Multinational Brigade -- East. They will be assigned to Task Force Falcon at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo.
Cedeno, a petroleum supply specialist, is the daughter of Danny Pownell of Warren, and DiAnn C. Frederick of Niles. She is a 1998 graduate of Niles McKinley High School.
Colton, an executive officer, is a son of Cheryl L. Colton of Girard. He graduated in 1989 from Girard High School, and earned a bachelor's degree in 1998 from Ohio State University.
Cpl. Joshua Knebel
Marine Corps Cpl. Joshua Knebel of Hubbard will be home on a 15-day leave from Iraq beginning Tuesday. Assigned to the 2nd Marine Division, 8th Engineer Bridge Co., he spent six months in Iraq in 2003, was sent back in February 2004 and is scheduled to go back to Iraq until February 2005 after his leave. Knebel, a 2001 graduate of Hubbard High School, is a son of Steve and Laura Knebel of Hubbard.
BASIC GRADS
Air Force: Airman Brandon Egercic (Springfield Local High School, '04), son of Elaine Martin of Petersburg and James Egercic of Masury.
Army: Pvt. Timothy A. Oswald (Champion High School, '04, son of Timothy W. and Michele D. Oswald of Warren; Pvt. James B. Jordan III (Rayen High School, '03), son of Stephanie Jordan of Youngstown.
Navy: Seaman Apprentice Anthony P. Lunsford (Chaney High School, '03), son of Denise M. Saborse of Youngstown.
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.