VETERANS

VETERANS

Army birthday

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams and other mayors across northern Ohio and western Pennsylvania will commemorate the Army’s upcoming 234th birthday by issuing proclamations during the next several weeks.

The Army was established by the First Continental Congress on June 14, 1775. As a way of expressing gratitude to those who have served and those who are now serving to protect the nation, a number of the proclamations also will designate this week as “U.S. Army Week” in their respective communities.

ADVANCED TRAINING

McGee at officer school

AKRON — Ohio National Guard Specialist (E-5) Kevin McGee, director of public relations, marketing and specialty business for the Summit County Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, was recently accepted in the Army Ohio National Guard Officer Candidate School at Rickenbacker Air Force Base in Columbus.

He had been assigned to the 37th Infantry Headquarters & Headquarters Co. at Port Columbus.

McGee, a 1989 graduate of Howland High School, began phase one of the Army school this month at Fort McClellan, Ga. It is a 16-month program that graduates commissioned officers to the rank of 2nd lieutenant in the Army. McGee’s projected graduation date is August 2010.

He received an undergraduate degree from Ohio University in 1994 and a master’s degree in business administration from Kent State University in 2008. He is a member of several professional organizations and was recognized by the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce as being one of 30 young professionals who are having an impact on the Akron region.

He is the son of Joe and Sondra McGee of Howland and father of Liam and Aidan McGee of Vienna. McGee volunteers as a baseball and soccer coach in the Vienna Athletic Club and as a Cub Scout den leader with Pack 101 in Warren.

PROMOTIONS

Deem is 2nd lieutenant

Army 2nd Lt. Michael Deem was promoted to his current rank upon graduating summa cum laude from Youngstown State University with a bachelor’s degree in applied science, majoring in computer information systems.

He was commissioned through the Green and Gold Reserve Officer Training Corps.

Deem, the son of John and Dee Deem, is a 1999 graduate of Struthers High School. He enlisted in the Army in 2001 after attending Kettering University and served a tour in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

He was a sergeant stationed at Fort Drum, N.Y., when he entered the reserve officer training program, during which he was a platoon leader and sergeant, squad leader and battalion commander. His honors include the Army Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Medal, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Non-commissioned Officer Education System Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Superior Cadet Award and Non-commissioned Officers Award.

After completing training in Georgia and Virginia, he will be transferred to Vilsek, Germany, where he will be assigned to Headquarters & Headquarters Troop, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment.

Deem and his wife, the former Sara Green of Austintown, have two daughters, Alexandria and Abbigale.

BASIC TRAINING GRADS

Army: Pvt. Christian M. Wormley (Struthers High School, ’08), son of Jeff Wormley of Struthers.

Navy: Seaman Recruit Michael Murray (Labrae High School, Leavittsburg, ’07), son of Desiree A. and Michael D. Murray of Warren.

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.