retiring

RETIRING
Leaving National Guard
Lt. Col. John Spagnola of Poland, son of John and Elizabeth Spagnola of New Middletown, has retired from the Ohio Army National Guard after 20 years of service.
He enlisted in the 838th Military Police Company in Austintown in 1985 at 17 while he was a student at Cardinal Mooney High School. After basic training, he began college and the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps at Youngstown State University. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in June 1989 and assigned as platoon leader in the 838th. In June of 1990, he performed state active duty with the 838th in Shadyside to provide security after flooding in that area.
He received a bachelor of science degree in business administration from YSU in 1991 and a master's in business administration degree in 1997.
After being promoted to first lieutenant, Spagnola was named commander of the 135th Military Police Company in Brook Park in 1993. His unit was activated in April 1993 to assist at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville when the inmates took control of the prison. He received an Ohio Commendation Medal for his leadership at the prison.
Spagnola was promoted to captain and in January 1996 became the logistics officer for the 1-73rd Troop Command Battalion, which provides command and control of the four military police companies in the state.
After completing the Combine Arms Staff Service School in July 1997, Spagnola transferred to the Ohio Military Academy as the personnel officer in 1998 and was promoted to rank of major.
In the fall of 2000, he returned to the 1-73rd Troop Command Battalion as its operations officer. When the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks occurred, he was activated and assigned to the state task force that had charge of all military police security assigned to Ohio's commercial airports. He planned training and qualifications, safety and oversaw the logistics and personnel officers. He then was transferred to the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, where he was in charge of military personnel. When the mission ended June 1, 2002, Spagnola received a Meritorious Service Medal and several state awards for his leadership and service.
In September 2003, he became commander of the 731st Troop Command Battalion in North Canton, which commanded all the transportation units in Ohio.
During his career, he attended several military schools, including Combined Arms Staff Service School, Command and General Staff College, Airborne, Physical Security, Nuclear Biological Chemical Warfare schools, and the Transportation Pre-Command course for Battalion Commanders. He also received numerous federal military awards. They include Meritorious Service, Army Commendation, Army Achievement, Global War On Terrorism Service and National Defense medals.
He is a member of the American Legion Post 565 in Boardman. Spagnola and his wife, Jenelle, have three children, Anna, Jenna and John. He is the director of safety for P.A.M. Transportation in North Jackson.
VETERANS
Meeting scheduled
SALEM -- The Salem Patriotic and Memorial Association will meet Monday at 7 p.m. at the AMVETS Post 45, 750 S. Broadway Ave.
2006 officers installed
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Tri-State Detachment of the Marine Corps League has installed its 2006 officers. They are: Richard A. Mitchells, commandant; Frank A. Sokol Sr., vice commandant; Michael S. Kacik Jr., vice commandant; and Harry Dampf, judge advocate. The officers were installed by Robert S. Harris, Department of Ohio commandant and Jim Dorsey Jr., past Ohio commandant.
PROMOTIONS
Senior master sergeant
Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Walter V. Grudowski was promoted to his present rank while serving at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton. Grudowski, a learning resource center superintendent with 24 years of military service, is the son of Walter Grudowski Jr. of Ellwood City, Pa., and Barbara Warhold of McKeesport, Pa.
HONORS
Touring with band
Army Master Sgt. Thomas A. Enokian is a member of the Army Field Band, the official Army's touring musical organization, which has its headquarters at Fort George G. Meade, Md. Enokian will be touring the United States with its 2006 Spring Concert performances. The Army Field Band conducts three annual national tours and occasionally tours overseas.
Enokian is a percussion group leader with 16 years of military service. His wife, Alison, is the daughter of Rodney Murdock and Marilyn Murdock, both of Greenville, Pa. Enokian is a 1989 graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, N.Y.
DEPLOYED
Back from Afghanistan
Army SPC. David Brian Kusky has returned to Fort Bragg, N.C., after being deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He is an infantryman in the 2/504th within the 82nd Airborne Division. Kusky, son of Donald A. and Rose P. Kusky of Lowellville, is a 2003 graduate of Poland Seminary High School. His fianc & eacute;e, Chelsea Emerson, is the daughter of Rodney J. and Mary June Emerson of Poland.
ADVANCED TRAINING
Submarine course
Navy Fireman Recruit Daniel R. Burnick, son of Bonnie Burnick of Georgetown, Ky., and Edward Burnick of Cortland, has graduated from the six-week Basic Enlisted Submarine Course at Naval Submarine School in Groton, Conn. Burnick is a 2003 graduate of Mathews High School.
Mortuary affairs course
Army Pfc. David Mason is an honor graduate of the mortuary affairs specialist course at Fort Lee, Va. Mason is the son of Diane S. Mason of Mesa, Ariz., and grandson of Viola Rajkowski of Vienna.
Arms/artillery repair
Army Spec. Jeremy L. Gentile has graduated from the Small Arms/Artillery Repairer Advanced Individual Training Course at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. Gentile is the son of Jerome and Lorry Gentile of Poland. The specialist is a 1997 graduate of Poland High School.
BASIC GRADS
Air Force: Airman Stephan A. Zurko (Hickory High School, Hermitage, Pa., '03), son of John and Kathy Zurko of Hermitage.
Army: Pvt. David A. Devellin, son of Nanette Bizlon of Canfield and grandson of Dottie Drake of Youngstown.
Marine Corps: Pvt. Matthew T. Watson, son of Valerie G. Eck of Cortland, and Carl E. Watson of Leavittsburg; Pvt. Steven M. Haefke, son of Deneen L. Haefke and Steve B. Haefke, both of Austintown; Reserve Pvt. Jeana L. LeVasseur (Beaver County Community College, Monaca, Pa., '05), daughter of Pamela LeVasseur of Ellwood City, Pa.
Items 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.