Upcoming Valley events

VETERANS

Banquet for officers

YOUNGSTOWN — The United Veterans Council’s 66th Installation of Officers Banquet is at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 23 at ITAMS 3, 113 S. Meridian Road. The guest speaker is Maria Garza, director of the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. Tickets are $15 per person. Advance reservations are required by Friday. Contact Dean McClain at (330) 790-9565 for further information. 

Salem group to meet

SALEM — The Salem Patriotic and Memorial Association will meet at AMVETS Post 45, 750 S. Broadway St., at 7 p.m. Monday. The agenda includes nominations for honorary parade marshal for Memorial Day activities.

Meeting time changes

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission meeting Wednesday in the Mahoning County Annex Building, 2801 Market St., will be at 8:30 a.m. instead of the regular time of 9 a.m.

PROMOTIONS

Journeyman promoted

Air Force Staff Sgt. Jason T. Cottrill, a munitions systems journeyman, was promoted to his current rank while assigned to the 1st Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. He is the son of Worthy and Mindy Cottrill of Champion, and is a 1999 graduate of Champion High School.

HONORS

Combat Action Badge

Army Maj. George L. Hammar IV, son of George and Lydia Hammar of Youngstown, was awarded the Combat Action Badge for combat operations in southern Iraq. Hammar, an adviser to the 4th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, was with a platoon of Iraqi soldiers and three other Americans on Dec. 10, 2007, when the unit came under small-arms fire from insurgents. They returned fire, dispersing the insurgent force.

Hammar is a 1989 graduate of Chaney High School and a 1995 graduate of Youngstown State University. He is married to the former Joy Hawley of Kansas, and they have a 3-year-old daughter.

BASIC GRADS

Air Force: Airman Brian K. Willis (Chaney High School, ’05), son of Benetres and Keith Willis of Youngstown; Airman Daniel J. Gonzalez, son of Melissa Weir of East Liverpool, and Danny Gonzalez of Concord, Calif.; Reserve Airman Aaron Strock (McKinley High School, Niles, ’07), son of Christian Phillips of Howland; Airman Dominigue Y. Lewis (Labrae High School, Leavittsburg, ’04), daughter of Tamara Wade of Warren.

Army: Pvt. Darin L. Taylor Jr. (The Rayen School, ’07), son of Darin Sr. and Regina Taylor of Youngstown.

Navy: Seaman Recruit Stephen L. Seifert (Mineral Ridge High School, Mineral Ridge, ’05), son of Gene L. Seifert of Mineral Ridge.

910TH

Assignments made

Several Air Force Reserve members have recently been assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing at Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna. They include:

Reserve Airman Steve M. Cresanto, 76th Aerial Port Squadron. He is the son of Steven Cresanto of East Palestine and Michelle Cresanto of Lisbon. He is a 2007 graduate of Crestview High School, Columbiana.

Reserve Airman 1st Class Michael T. Sammartino, a security forces apprentice, Security Forces Squadron. He is the son of Janice L. Sammartino of Canfield, and Steve Sammartino of Youngstown. He is a 2007 graduate of Austintown Fitch High School.

Reserve Airman Alex R. Jackson, aviation resource management apprentice, 757th Airlift Squadron. He is the son of Kevin and Regina A. Jackson of Champion, and a 2007 graduate of Champion High School.

Reserve Capt. David J. Black, an aircraft maintenance officer, Aerial Maintenance Squadron. He is the son of Don and Judy Black of North Lima, and is a 1997 graduate of South Range High School, North Lima, and 2001 graduate of Kent State University.

X 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.