KAREN BRANDT

KAREN BRANDT

Age: 50.

Hometown: Pittsburgh.

High School: North Hills, Pittsburgh, 1975.

College: Associates of Life Sciences.

Family: Parents, Betty and Tony Stephens of Pittsburgh.

Husband: Bill Brandt.

Children: Amanda Andrews, Andrea Reams, Andrew Swarmer and stepsons, Erik and Jason Brandt.

Military information:

Air Force: 1975-2004.

Military job: Life support specialist technician (trained people how to survive on the ground after they eject or parachute from their plane)/air medical technician (took care of patients while they were being transported via air).

Rank: E-6 technical sergeant.

Age when enlisted: 18.

Civilian job: Sunrider International.

Quote: “I love air planes. I was going to be a flight attendant; instead I joined the Air Force, and it made me who I am today.”

MONE’ JACKSON

Age: 31.

Hometown: Youngstown.

Current address: Liberty.

High School: East, 1994.

College: Georgia State University.

Family: Parents, Linda and George Roberts of Boardman.

Children: Kassidy Jackson.

Military information:

Army: 1994-97.

Military job: Electronic warfare intelligence analyst, tracked Russian movements.

Rank: E-4 specialist.

Age when enlisted: 19.

Civilian job: Mahoning County Veteran Service Commission.

Quote: “I served in Hawaii, Japan and Korea. It was paradise. What other kid from East High School can say they have a top security clearance?”

BRENDA POLAS

Age: 58.

Hometown: Austintown.

Current address: Campbell.

High School: Austintown Fitch, 1966.

Family: Parent, Marie Genuske of Austintown.

Fiancé: Drew McMahan.

Children: Lonnie Polas.

Military information:

Air Force: 1967-71.

Military job: Administrative specialist, chief clerk of the Women’s Air Force military training squadron.

Rank: E-4 sergeant.

Age enlisted: 17.

Civilian job: Mahoning County Veteran Service Commission.

Quote: “Having been in the military helps me in my job with the Veteran Service Commission. When I go to a veteran’s home, they are surprised I am able to relate.”

LYNN WILLIAMS

Age: 45.

Hometown: Youngstown.

Current address: Youngstown.

High School: South, 1980.

College: University of Toledo.

Family: Parents, John and Rose Johnson (deceased).

Children: Antuane D. Williams II, Jaris D. Williams, Lyneise M. Williams.

Military information:

Army: Active duty, 1981-84; reserve, 1984-93.

Military job: Active, personnel administrative specialist at the battalion level; reserve, attached to a chemical school.

Rank: Sergeant.

Age enlisted: 19.

Civilian job: Retired, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

Quote: “The military made a woman of me, made me learn what pride was and to trust somebody.”