Veterans

VETERANS
Memorial program
CANFIELD -- AMVETS Post 44 will host a memorial program honoring those who served during the Pearl Harbor Day attack. The program is at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Mahoning Veterans Memorial on the Canfield Fairgrounds.
The main speaker is Lt. Comdr. Brad B. Davidson, new commanding officer of the Naval Reserve Center.
The public is invited to join in honoring those who gave their lives and those who survived the Pearl Harbor attack.
After the ceremony, a light lunch will be served. For more information, call Jan Brown, Commander AMVETS Post 44 at (330) 726-2552.
Pearl Harbor Mass
YOUNGSTOWN -- V.F.W. Post 1423 will conduct the 64th annual Pearl Harbor Mass at 10 a.m. Dec. 11 at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 421 Covington St. All veterans and friends are welcome to attend.
Veterans posts will assemble at 9:30 a.m. in the church with their colors. Refreshments will be served after the Mass. For more information, call Post 1423 Comdr. John E. Malys at (330) 782-0340.
MILITARY NEWS
Letters to troops
Individuals, schools, churches, veterans groups and other organizations are invited to send letters to members of the military through Friends of Our Troops, a private nonprofit group headquartered in Fayetteville, N.C.
Mail that is received by Friends of Our Troops is mixed, then prepared into packages to go out to every branch of the military, which in turn distributes the letters to units at home and overseas.
An overview of how the mail campaign works is in the online photo album Web site http://www.troopfanmail.net/album.htm.
Local groups that have sent mail to members of the military through Friends of Our Troops include the third grade of Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Austintown and St. Stanislaus Catholic War Veterans Auxiliary 1222, of Youngstown, which received a certificate for sending more than 100 pieces of mail for the troops.
Program extended
The Pennsylvania Legislature's Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committees have, through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, extended the Armed Forces Loan Forgiveness Program until June 30, 2006. Originally, the program was to end Dec. 31, 2005.
The program provides up to $2,500 in a one-time loan forgiveness payment for student loan borrowers who served in the military any time between Sept. 11, 2001, and June 30, 2006.
As part of the extension of the Armed Forces Loan Forgiveness Program, PHEAA has established a Veterans Homes Nursing Loan Forgiveness Program. The program provides for 50-percent reimbursement, up to $10,000 maximum loan forgiveness, for recently graduated nurses that agree to work for three years in one of Pennsylvania's six veterans homes.
For program applications and complete eligibility requirements, call (800) 233-0557, Ext. 5473.
State Sen. Robert D. Robbins, R-50th, of Greenville, Pa., announced the program changes.
HONORS
Bomber goes to Moscow
Air Force Capt. David Black, of North Lima, was officer in charge of the 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit for a B-1B Lancer bomber that participated in the Moscow International Air Show and Space Salon in August.
During the Cold War, the B-1B, originally designed to carry nuclear weapons to deter Communism, was the backbone of America's long-range bomber force that conducted daily maneuvers through Russian skies at supersonic speed, Black said.
During the air show, the B-1B, which now carries conventional weapons, demonstrated its maneuvering capabilities and did flyovers, Black said. He noted that while on the ground, the B-1B was parked only a few hundred feet from Russian weapons systems that were designed primarily to shoot it down.
Black, stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.C., said the Americans "could not have been more warmly welcomed. It was a great honor and it was amazing to be in Russia. I didn't think we'd ever be doing this in our lifetime," he said.
Black, who is home on leave with his parents, Donald and Judy Black of North Lima, is a 1997 graduate of South Range High School.
He graduated in 2001 from Kent State University with a bachelor's degree in aeronautical science and was commissioned a second lieutenant through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at KSU.
DEPLOYED
Everett back home
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan S. Everett, son of Pamela J. Everett and Brian K. Everett, both of Salem, has returned from a deployment to the Western Pacific while assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins. The Higgins made port visits to Hong Kong, China and Port Kelang, Malaysia. Everett is a 2002 graduate of Salem Senior High School.
ADVANCED TRAINING
OBC graduate
Army 2nd Lt. Richard J. Smith graduated from a four-month Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, Ga. The course teaches new lieutenants leadership, tactical skills and combat-related skills.
Smith is the son of Patti Smith of Hubbard and Joseph R. Smith of Cocoa, Fla. He is a 1999 graduate of Hubbard High School and received a bachelor's degree in 2003 from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
BASIC GRADS
Air Force: Airman Anthony J. NestasieB (Millville, Pa., Area High School, '05), son of Jane Long of Millville, and Joseph Nestasie of Hillsville, Pa.; Airman Marc R. Pearce (Laurel High School, New Castle, '05), son of Robert Pearce of New Castle, Pa., and Cathy Wilson of Pittsburgh, Pa.
Army: National Guard Pfc. David M. Guido (Hickory High School, Hermitage, Pa., '03), son of Kelly S. and Dave M. Guido of Hermitage; Pvt. Nicholas J. Clemmer (Crestview High School, Columbiana, '05), son of Dale Clemmer of West Salem Street and Terri Clemmer of Kelly Park Road, both of Columbiana; National Guard Pfc. Andrew C. Whitmer (Jackson-Milton High School, North Jackson, '05), son of Eric and Lynn Whitmer of Mineral Ridge; Army Pvt. Terry M. Hacon (Austintown Fitch High School, '04), son of Terry Hacon of Austintown and Tami Hacon 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.