Local man in Washington

Local man in Washington

YOUNGSTOWN — AMVETS National Vice Commander J.P. Brown III, of Youngstown, will represent the AMVETS Monday at a Memorial Day reception at the White House, and at the Laying of the Wreath ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

PROMOTIONS

Boardman man advances

Naval Cmdr. Mark W. Samuels, a 1985 graduate of Boardman High School, will become commanding officer of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 48 on Saturday in ceremonies at Andrews Air Force Base, Ms. He reported to the squadron in March 2006 as its executive officer.

Samuels, a 1989 graduate of the Naval Academy with a degree in mechanical engineering, is the son of Terry and Marilyn Samuels of Poland. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children: Kaitlyn, Danielle and Jake.

A Naval aviator, Samuels’ first assignment was with Patrol Squadron 26 in Brunswick, Maine, flying the P-3C Orion, a long-range maritime patrol aircraft used primarily for reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare. Before coming to Squadron 48, Samuels was assigned to the Chief of Naval Operations Staff, Naval Air Warfare Division at the Pentagon.

HONORS

Warren native nominated

Army Sgt. 1st Class Ryan P. Cole has been selected to compete for induction into the Audie L. Murphy Club. Inductees are sponsored by their first sergeant and recommended by their unit commander. The organization is named in honor of Sgt. Murphy, World War II's most decorated combat soldier, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Cole, a chemical operations platoon sergeant, is assigned to the 4th Chemical Company, Camp Hovey, Tongduchon-Up, South Korea. He is the son of Craig F. and Patricia A. Cole of Warren, and a 1995 graduate of Howland High School.

BASIC GRADS

Air Force: Airman David G. Smallsreed (LaBrae High School, Leavittsburg, ‘06), son of Steven Smallsreed of Newton Falls, and Barb Darbey of Johnson Plank Road, Champion.

Army: National Guard Pfc. Courtney E. Church, son of Spencer and Jane Church of New Castle, Pa.; Pvt. James N. Peterson (Jamestown Area Junior-Senior High School, Jamestown, Pa., ‘05), son of Robin Watt of Greenville, Pa.; Pvt. James R. Parker (Lordstown High School, ‘01, and Youngstown State University, ‘06), son of Cathrine Parker of Lordstown; National Guard Pvt. Justin R. Como (Grove City Senior High School, Grove City, Pa., ‘05), son of Connie Como of Grove City; Spec. Margot L. Fisher (Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J., ‘07), granddaughter of Marcella Burgess of Niles; Pvt. Anthony Simon (Poland Seminary High School, ‘06), son of Tony Simon of Boardman, and Beth Jones of Poland.

ROTC

ROTC members on duty

Nine members of the Slippery Rock University Army Reserve Officer Training Corps spring class have been commissioned second lieutenants and received duty assignments. They are: Noah R. Benson, Johnston, Pa.; Brian J. Cianchetti, Butler, Pa.; Joseph S. Lustick III, Waynesboro, Pa.; Christopher R. Mathis, Altoona, Pa.; Andrew M. Sharp, Etters, Pa.; Jessica B. Shimko, Indiana, Pa.; Nathaniel J. Thomson, New Castle, Pa.; Vincenzo Tucciarone Jr., Sellersville, Pa.; and Ian W. Black, Franklin, Pa.

REUNIONS

82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION ASSOCIATION, Gen. Matthew B. Ridgway Chapter: National Activities - New York Airborne Days, June 1-3, 2007, Newburgh, N.Y.; 25th SW Airborne Days, June 7-10, 2007, Houston, Texas; 61st National Convention, Aug. 13-19, 2007, Harrisburg, Pa.; National Airborne Day, Aug. 16; 45th All Ohio Days, Oct. 19-20, 2007, Clearwater, Ohio. For more information, call (937) 898-5977.

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.