VETERANS

VETERANS
Post 301 anniversary
Austintown American Legion Post 301 is celebrating its 60th anniversary Saturday with a dinner at the Regency House, 3704 Mahoning Ave., Austintown.
A bring-your-own-bottle social hour, with mixes and soft drinks furnished, begins at 5 p.m. The cost is $14 per person. All veterans and the public are welcome.
Proceeds will be used to purchase items for deployed reservists and for needy Post 301 members and widows of members. The Outstanding Veteran of the Year will be announced during a short program, said Russel Reuthe, post commander.
ADVANCED TRAINING
Graduated from course
Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Jason M. Oliver graduated from the communications-computer systems operations apprentice course at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Oliver is the son of J. Robert Oliver of Canfield, and is a 1998 graduate of South Range High School, North Lima.
ROTC
Completed course
Shad R. Thompson and Todd A. Belinky have completed the 32-day leader development and assessment course for Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets called "Warrior Forge," at Fort Lewis, Wash.
Thompson is the son of Mark A. and Lori H. Thompson of New Castle, Pa., and a 2001 graduate of Shenango High School.
Belinky, son of Mark and Cynthia Belinky, Youngstown, is enrolling at George Mason University in Virginia to study for a master's degree in peace operations. He is a 2000 graduate of Boardman High School and 2004 graduate of John Carroll University in University Heights.
DEPLOYED
Overseas assignment
Air Force 1st Lt. David J. Black is deployed overseas at a forward operating location in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Black is normally assigned to the 28th Maintenance Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, Rapid City, S.D.
He is the son of Donald and Judy Black of North Lima. He graduated in 1997 from South Range High School and received a bachelor's degree in 2001 from Kent State University.
Activated reservist
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Russell, daughter of Lawrence and Katherine Russell of Mineral Ridge, was among reservists activated to relieve another battalion currently supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Yeoman Russell does administrative work, such as service and training files, computer work, and making identification badges, and also works in the cargo unit, where she helps to secure loads on and off the ship.
MISCELLANEOUS
Young Marines
The Young Marines, a youth education and service program for boys and girls, ages 8 through high school, is having its once-a-year orientation for parents and youths at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Navy/Marine Corps Reserve Center, Building 540, at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station on King-Graves Road in Vienna.
The Young Marines, official youth program of the United States Marine Corps and the focal point for the Marine Corps' Youth Drug Demand Reduction efforts, takes applications once a year for recruit training. The organization focuses on character building and leadership, and promotes a healthy, drug-free lifestyle, according to its commanding officer, Marlene Clemente.
Participants should contact Clemente at MarleneClemente@prodigy.net with their name to avoid problems entering the base. Also, there is a $10 registration fee due that day. If money is a problem, arrangements can be made, Clemente said.
During the school year, the Young Marines meet at the Navy/Marine Reserve Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the first Saturday and Sunday of the month. In the summer, the youth attend encampments and schools based upon their eligibility.
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.