VETERANS

VETERANS
Mariners may benefitfrom pending legislation
The U.S. Merchant Marine Combat Veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs are alerting Merchant Marine veterans of World War II about pending federal legislation that would, if approved, give them lifetime, tax-free monthly benefits of $1,000 that could be transferred to a surviving spouse.
The U.S. Merchant Marine Combat Veterans' Just Compensation Committee has two bills before Congress -- House Bill HR23 and Senate Bill S1272 -- under the title "A Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2005."
Even if the legislation passes, the benefits are not automatic. Former Mariners must apply.
For a Mariner, and then his surviving spouse, to receive benefits, certain conditions must be met. They include:
Be living when the Senate bill is passed.
Have a DD-214 honorable discharge from the Coast Guard.
Have served in "harm's way" during World War II.
Meet the date-of-service period and other conditions set forth in the bill.
Additionally, the surviving spouse must have been married to the Mariner for no less than one year to continue receiving benefits after the Mariner's death.
For more information, contact Ian T. Allison at (800) 545-4173 or at P.O. Box 1705, Santa Rosa, Calif., 95402.
PROMOTIONS
Hill to lance corporal
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jeremiah J. Hill, a son of Barbara and Rick Hill of Austintown, was meritoriously promoted to his present rank on March 1 while serving in Ramadi, Iraq.
Hill, deployed to Iraq in January, is a member of the 1st Platoon of Charlie Co. He is a 2004 graduate of Struthers High School.
Ash made tech sergeant
Air Force Technical Sgt. LaToya M. Ash was promoted to her current rank while working as a storage and issue craftsman with the 314th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Little Rock Air Force Base, Jacksonville, Ark.
She is the daughter of Joseph Sheely and Sonja M. Carter, both of West Palm Beach Fla.
Her husband, Timothy, is the son of Diana J. Ash of Warren.
ADVANCED TRAINING
Communications
Air Force Airman 1st Class Paul A. Stonestreet has graduated from the communications signals collection and processing course at the Naval Training Technical Center, Corry Station, Pensacola, Fla.
Stonestreet, a communications signal and collections apprentice assigned to the 313th Training Squadron, is the son of Paul A. Stonestreet Sr. of Hermitage, Pa., and Graciela R. Stonestreet of Hialeah, Fla.
His wife, Marilee, is the daughter of Antonio Idalys Santos of Hialeah. Stonestreet is a 2003 graduate of Hialeah High School.
Hospital Corps
Navy Hospitalman Apprentice James A. Elliott, son of Amy L. Elliott of Ravenna and Richard D. Elliott of Warren, has graduated from the 14-week Basic Hospital Corps School at Naval Hospital Corps School, Great Lakes, Ill. Elliott is a 2005 graduate of Southeast High School, Ravenna.
BASIC GRADS
Air Force: Airman Ty R. Beatty, basic training honor graduate (Mineral Ridge High School, '04), son of Deborah Bayless of Mineral Ridge and Randall Beatty of Lowellville; Airman Stephanie D. Ostetrico (Warren G. Harding High School, Warren), daughter of Graig Ostetrico of Warren and Barbara Ostetrico of Newton Falls; Airman Mario J. Zambelli (Howland High School, '04), son of Thomas Zambelli of Warren and Janet Zambelli of Cortland; Air Force Airman David A. Negrin (Neshannock High School, New Castle, Pa., '02), son of Phil and Sherri Negrin of New Castle.
Army: Reserve Pvt. Andre Pasley, son of Konstanze Napolitan of Youngstown.
Navy: Navy Seaman Recruit James P. Monoski (Austintown Fitch High School, '05), son of Joseph J. Monoski of Austintown; Seaman Zachary H. Miles (Wilmington Area High School, New Wilmington, Pa., '02), son of Debbie S. and Brad A. McFarland of New Wilmington; Airman Recruit Sergey A. Mlocheshek, son of Natalya S. and Robert L. Eplin of New Castle, 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.