Armed forces digest

VETERANS

Reunion speaker

Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. “Iron” Mike Mervosh, a veteran of three wars with 35 years of service, will be the featured speaker for the Tri-State Detachment of the Marine Corps League’s 30th annual reunion Aug. 15 at the Italian-American Veterans Post 3 banquet hall, 115 S. Meridian Ave., Youngstown.

Also in attendance at the event, which begins at 6 p.m., will be Larry Smith, author of numerous books including “Iwo Jima” and “The Few and the Proud” about Marines, and “Beyond Glory” about Medal of Honor recipients.

Call Dick Mitchells at (330) 533-3433 or Frank Griffiths at (330) 533-2314 for tickets. The cost is $22 per person.

Auxiliary president

Carolyn Murphy of Youngstown Army & Navy Auxiliary 29 was elected president of the Department of Ohio Auxiliary at the organization’s 91st Encampment, and John Montis of Akron Garrison 102 was elected commander of the Department of Ohio Garrison.

Patricia Baun of Auxiliary 29 was named Woman of the Year, and William Kramer of Niles Army & Navy Garrison 422 was named Man of the Year.

Other area residents elected to state offices include: Nannette McMahan, Niles Auxiliary, junior vice president; Jackie Baun, Auxiliary 29, vocalist; and Ken Lissimore, Niles Garrison 422, junior vice commander.

DEPLOYED

In Afghanistan

Navy Seaman Aaron L. Stevens, son of Sheree and Aaron Stevens of East Palestine is a member of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, which recently launched its first aircraft sorties from Carrier Air Wing 14 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. This marks the fourth deployment for the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, based out of San Diego, Calif.

BASIC TRAINING GRADS

Air Force: Airman Chance E. Rhoades (Lakeview High School, Stoneboro, Pa., ’08), son of Tamara Leipheimer and Donald Rhoades, both of Fredonia, Pa.; National Guard Airman Andrew W. Kestner (Crestview High School, Columbiana, ’07), son of Alison Kestner of New Waterford.

Army: National Guard Pvt. Michael S. Weekly (Sebring McKinley High School, ’07), son of Kristen and Bob Weekly of Sebring; National Guard Pvt. Patrick W. Rigney (Grove City, Pa., High School, ’08), son of Mr. and Mrs. Rigney of Grove City; Reserve Pvt. Justin B. Kaufman (Hickory High School, Hermitage, Pa., ’07), son of Kara Kaufman of Hermitage; Specialist Rhyan Pegues (Ursuline High School, ’01; master’s degree, Tiffin University, ’07), son of Selena Pegues of Youngstown; Sgt. Elizabeth A. Hosler (Boardman High School, ’01; master’s degree, Emerson College, Boston, Mass., ’06), daughter of Florence Hosler of Boardman.

Navy: Seaman Recruit Jesse B. Kiepper (Lakeview High School, Cortland, ’08), son of Terry L. Williams of Brookfield and Andrew B. Kiepper of Cortland; Seaman Recruit Ian K. Stroup (Hickory High School, Hermitage, Pa., ’08), son of Joan Stroup of Hermitage and Gregory Stroup of New Castle, Pa.; Seaman Recruit William P. Hanahan (Sharpsville, Pa., High School, ’05).

MISCELLANEOUS

Honorable discharge

Navy Lt. Christopher J. Elias, formerly of Austintown, will be honorably discharged July 31 after five years of active duty, most recently as a communications officer aboard the USS Sterett, a guided missile destroyer based at San Diego, Calif.

After a visit home, Elias, son of William and Janet Elias of Austintown and a 1995 graduate of Austintown Fitch High School, will begin a doctorate program in economics at the University of California at Irvine. Elias received a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering from Youngstown State University and a master’s degree in economics from Florida State University.

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.