VETERANS

VETERANS
Dedication fornational cemetery
PITTSBURGH -- R. James Nicholson, secretary of Veterans Affairs, dedicated the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies today. The 292-acre cemetery site is at 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville, Pa., in Washington County, about 12 miles south of Pittsburgh.
The new cemetery will serve veterans and their families in 16 counties of western Pennsylvania and three in northern West Virginia.
Previously, those from those areas requesting burials at a national cemetery had to travel to Indiantown Gap National Cemetery near Annville, Pa.; West Virginia National Cemetery in Grafton; or Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman.
Although construction is ongoing, a 10-acre section permitting about 3,500 burial spaces and 250 cremation sites is now available, Nicholson said. A construction contract to develop a total of 80 acres for about 19,000 burial sites will be awarded this fall. The VA expects to complete that project in 2007.
DEPLOYED
Liberty High graduate
Army National Guard Spec. Donovan J. Waller participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom at a forward-deployed operating location overseas. Waller, assigned to the 173rd Transportation Co., Rocky Mount, Va., is a 1999 graduate of Liberty High School and a 2003 graduate of Bowling Green State University. He is a son of Rocky and Beverly Waller of Youngstown.
ADVANCED TRAINING
Avionics course
Air Force Airman Zachary J. Miller, A-10 Attack Aircraft Avionics Control Systems course, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Miller is assigned to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Ariz. He is the son of Martha J. and Robert E. Miller of East Rochester, and a 2004 graduate of United High School, Hanoverton.
Cannon crewman
Marine Corps Pvt. Justin D. McElhaney, Cannon Crewman Course while assigned with Marine Detachment, U.S. Army Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, Okla. He is a son of Crystal V. Dean of Morrow, Ga., and Dale W. McElhaney of East Liverpool, and is a 2004 graduate of East Liverpool High School.
BASIC GRADS
Army: National Guard Pvt. Matthew E. Kosut (attends East Liverpool High School), son of Delores Kosut of East Liverpool; Reserve Pvt. Raymond J. Berg (Lordstown High School, '05), son of Yvonne and Jose Berg of Lordstown.
Marine Corps: Pfc. Joshua A. Altomare (David Anderson High School, Lisbon, '02), son of Cindy L. and Eugene Altomare of Lisbon; Pfc. James E. Kaneski Jr. (Canfield High School, '03) son of Jill A. Kaneski of Youngstown, and James E. Kaneski Sr. of Poland; Pvt. Robert L. Hillman, son of Rebecca J. and Harold W. Gardner of Salem; Pfc. David M. Ward, son of Shirley M. and Michael P. Ward of Hubbard; Pvt. Christopher L. Baker, grandson of Howard K. and Donna J. Weinberg of Steubenville; Pfc. Jerry R. Haines (Lisbon David Anderson High School, '01).
Navy: Navy Seaman Jason P. Miklacic (Jefferson, Ohio, Area High School, '98).
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.