VETERANS

VETERANS

Free haircuts offered

POLAND — The Poland Hair Works, 3004 Center Road, is offering free haircuts to veterans with proof of service. This service will continue for the foreseeable future the first Sunday of each month from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Proof of service can be a discharge paper (DD 214), military identification, Department of Veterans Affairs health identification card, or a membership card in a veterans organization, along with a picture identification. Call John Giannios Jr. at (330) 518-3853.

PROMOTION

New Army captain

Army Capt. Joseph Brinsko was promoted to his current rank Tuesday, and a formal promotion ceremony was conducted in Iraq on Saturday, where he is stationed for a 15-month deployment. Brinsko, an airborne ranger attached to the 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment, 1st Squadron, Crazyhorse Troop, is executive officer of his troop. In January, Brinsko was awarded an Army Commendation Medal with Valor for his actions in a fire fight in Iraq.

Brinsko, the son of Mary Ellen and John Brinsko of Lowellville, graduated from Youngstown State University, where he received a bachelor of science degree in business administration and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in May 2005.

New master sergeant

Army Sgt. 1st Class Teddy P. Perio will be promoted to the rank of master sergeant Monday during an 11 a.m. ceremony at Youngstown State University’s Veteran’s Plaza.

Perio, a military science instructor at YSU, and his wife, Feliz, have a son, Tyler, and live in Boardman. Perio’s grandfather, Angelo Basso, 84, a World War II veteran, will assist in the ceremony.

Perio is a combat veteran whose awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with “Valor” Device, and the Combat Action Badge.

DEPLOYED

Sent to Okinawa, Japan

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Paul E. Herr, son of Terry L. Herr of Ellwood City, Pa., and Larry P. Herr of West Pittsburg, Pa., recently began a seven-month deployment to Camp Shields, Okinawa, Japan, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, whose home port is the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Mississippi. Herr’s unit is providing construction support to improve military facility readiness in Okinawa. NMCB 33 will also be sending details throughout the Pacific Rim countries to do humanitarian construction projects. Herr is a 2004 graduate of Ellwood City Lincoln High School, Ellwood City, Pa.

Going to Iraq war

Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Vickie L. Burk-Layton has been mobilized and activated for deployment overseas to a forward operating base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Burk-Layton, a human resources sergeant, is a member of the 444th Human Resources Headquarters Company based in Pittsburgh.

She is the daughter of Margie A. Stevenson of Stoneboro, Pa., and has several siblings in the area. Her husband, Gerald, is of Tucson, Ariz. She is a 1976 graduate of Lakeview High School, Stoneboro.

Heading to war in Iraq

Army Reserve Pfc. Andrew R. Allison has been mobilized and activated for deployment overseas to a forward operating base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Allison, a light-wheeled vehicle mechanic, normally assigned to the 444th Headquarters Company, Pittsburgh, is the son of Robert R. and Barbara L. Allison of Greenville, Pa. He is a 2006 graduate of Reynolds Senior High School, Transfer, Pa.

BASIC TRAINING

Army: Pfc. Denise R. Guerra (Jackson-Milton High School, North Jackson, ’96, associate degree in from ITT Technical Institute, Youngstown, ’98), daughter of Cindy Landis of Youngstown; Pvt. Eric A. Williams (Southern Local High School, Salineville, ’05), son of Lisa and stepson of Steve Jenkins of Hammondsville, and of Richard and stepmother, Kim Williams, of East Liverpool; Pvt. Nathaniel L. Railing (East Liverpool Christian School, ’05), son of William Railing of East Liverpool; Reserve Pfc. Bradley T. Banik (East Liverpool High School, ’01, associate degree from New Castle School of Trades, Pulaski, Pa., ’07), grandson of Juanita Banik of East Liverpool.

Marine Corps: Pvt. Seth M. Smith (Liberty High School, ’05), son of Frederick Smith and Dorothy Smith Jones of Liberty.

Navy: Seaman Apprentice Nathan R. Newsom (Wilmington High School, New Wilmington, Pa., ’07).

XItems of note for the Armed Forces Digest can be sent to The Vindicator, Regional Desk, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780, or e-mailed to alcorn@vindy.com.