VETERANS

VETERANS
Post 3332's donations
VFW Post 3332 in Newton Falls will present $10,000 to charitable and veterans organizations at its meeting Monday. Also, the post and auxiliary will donate cash coupons to patients at the Brecksville Veterans Affairs Hospital. In addition, the post will elect 2006-07 officers at the meeting.
Pa. Senate OKs 2 bills
The Pennsylvania Senate has unanimously passed two bills that benefit the Pennsylvania National Guard and their families, said Sen. Robert D. Robbins of Greenville, Pa., R-50th.
One bill would provide a 100-percent tuition credit to spouses and children of PNG members who die while on active military duty. Currently, children of deceased PNG members are eligible for a 50-percent tuition credit and spouses are not eligible.
The second bill would clarify the state law to ensure guard members are considered on active duty when responding to out-of-state disasters. Both bills will not be considered by the House, Robbins said.
Cell Phones for Soldiers
Liberty Tax Service is collecting functional cell phones and batteries for the Cell Phones for Soldiers program at the offices at 5200 Market St., Boardman; Super Kmart on state Route 46 in Niles; and 2919 state Route 5 in Leavittsburg. Call (330) 898-1130.
Financial assistance
YOUNGSTOWN -- Iraqi and Afghanistan war veterans can get financial assistance by calling the Tribute to Persian Gulf Veterans group at (330) 536-2075. Also, other area Persian Gulf support groups are asked to contact the Tribute to Persian Gulf Veterans, which was formed in 2005 by veteran and civic leaders from the Youngstown-Warren Metropolitan Area.
ONG receives award
The Ohio Army National Guard has been selected by the Department of the Army as the Fiscal Year 2006 Army Communities of Excellence Special Category winner. The award recognizes the guard's effort in improving its overall performance and capabilities. In addition, the ONG will receive $750,000 to be used toward improving the quality of life of its employees and soldiers.
PROMOTIONS
Operations officer
jAir Force 1st Lt. Amber Rae Sanchez was promoted to her present rank while serving at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where she served as officer in charge of deployments and squadron readiness and executive officer for the 435th Logistics Readiness Squadron.
She is operations officer for the 47th Logistics Division, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. Sanchez, a daughter of Reinaldo and Wildemina Ocasio Sanchez, is a 1999 graduate of Boardman High School and a 2003 graduate of Ohio State University.
BASIC GRADS
Air Force: Airman Robert D. Rovnak (Woodrow Wilson High School, '99), son of Tom and Janice Rovnak of Youngstown.
Army: Reserve Pvt. Vanessa Gonzalez (Woodrow Wilson High School, '05), daughter of Katheline Gonzalez of Youngstown; Reserve Pvt. Melinda L. Reid (New Castle Senior High School, '05), daughter of William Reid and Robin Stanton, both of New Castle.
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.