VETERANS

VETERANS

Celebration planned for military members

CUYAHOGA FALLS — A welcome-home celebration for military personnel who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and the global war on terror, conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs, is next Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. at Falls River Square, Riverfront Centre, Cuyahoga Falls. All active-duty military, veteran, Reserve and National Guard members, regardless of deployment status, and their families, friends and loved ones are invited to participate in the free food, fun and entertainment.

Information about VA health care enrollment and benefits and community resources information will be available. Register online at www.clevelandwelcomehome.com or contact Pat Hall at (440) 526-3030, ext. 7500.

Legion officials elected

Officers for American Legion Post 560 in Campbell were re-elected for 2008. They are Charles Koulianos, commander; Joseph Mazzocca, first vice commander; Joseph Zetts, second vice commander; John Texter, adjutant; Koulianos, service officer; Clynis Herns, chaplain; Wayman Paramore, sergeant-at-arms; and George Kapsulis, Earl Putko and Tony DeFelice as trustees.

DEPLOYED

Chaney grad redeployed

Army Maj. George L. Hammar IV, son of Lydia and George Hammar of Youngstown, has redeployed from Operation Iraqi Freedom. Hammar spent the last year as an adviser to the 33rd Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, in Karbala, Iraq, and to the Iraqi Ground Forces Command in Baghdad. Hammar was awarded the Bronze Star.

He has since been reassigned to the 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colo,, where he will be operations officer for the battalion.

Hammar, a 1989 graduate of Chaney High School and a 1995 graduate of Youngstown State University, is married to the former Joy Hawley of Kansas. They have a 4-year-old child.

BASIC TRAINING

Army: Ohio National Guard Pvt. Daniel Roberts (LaBrae High School), son of Dale Roberts and Darla Rudkin; ONG Pvt. Melachi Lexso (Bristol High School), son of James and Desiree Lexso of Bristolville; ONG Pvt. Gina Burns (Poland Seminary High School), daughter of Don and Libby Burns of Poland; ONG Pvt. Mark Paul (Howland High School), son of Mark and Bridget Paul; Pvt. Nate S. Denby-Allan (Chaney High School), daughter of Pamela Fenney of Youngstown.

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.