VETERANS

VETERANS

Women’s conference

The 2009 Ohio Women Veterans’ Conference is April 4 at the Aladdin Shrine Center, 3850 Stelzer Road, Columbus, starting at 10 a.m., with registration beginning at 8 a.m. A fee of $5 will be requested to offset the cost of lunch.

The keynote speaker for the event, sponsored by the Ohio Department of Veterans Services’ Advisory Committee on Women Veterans and the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System of Ohio, is Vernice Armour, a retired Marine Corps captain.

During Operation Iraqi Freedom, she was recognized as America’s first black female combat pilot by the Department of Defense. Armour served two combat tours of duty in the Gulf, and has appeared on the “Oprah Winfrey Show,” CNN and National Public Radio.

For details about registration and transportation to the conference, call Brenda Polas at (330) 740-2450, ext. 8384.

Transition program

YOUNGSTOWN — Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will conduct the Ohio Transition Assistance Program from March 18-20 in the Oakhill Renaissance Center Conference Room, 345 Oak Hill Ave.

The free three-day workshop is designed to assist veterans and spouses of veterans with job searches by providing information on job search methods, r sum s, cover letters, interview techniques, labor market information and more. To register, call Shawn Frederick at (330) 965-1787, ext. 131.

Health council

Vietnam Veterans of America in Washington, D.C., has debuted a new alliance, The Veterans Health Council, that offers veterans, their families and health professionals a new resource for information about health-care risks experienced by those who served in the military.

The mission of the organization, made up of veterans and health organizations, is to improve the health of veterans by creating an ongoing forum for health professionals, employee representatives, advocacy organizations and health care firms, said John Rowan, VVA national president. More information is available on the organization’s Web site at www.veteranshealth.org.

Golden Age Games

Registration is open for the 23rd National Veterans Golden Age Games, sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Canteen Service and Help Hospitalized Veterans.

Registration packages must be received no later than March 31. The event is scheduled for June 1-5 at venues in the Birmingham, Ala., area, and is hosted by the Birmingham VA Medical Center.

Competition is open to all U.S. military veterans 55 or older who receive care at any VA medical facility.

Participants compete in ambulatory, visually-impaired and wheelchair divisions, based on age, and in certain competitions, in gender groups. Events include swimming, bicycling, bowling, croquet, air rifle, golf, shuffleboard, horseshoes, discus and shot put, among others.

For more information, visit the Web site at www.veteransgoldenagegames.va.gov; or call Patricia Fetzer at (205) 933-4396 or Bertram Perry at the Birmingham VA Medical Center at (205) 933-8101, ext. 2981.

Special recognition

COLUMBUS — AMVETS Department of Ohio has recognized state Sen. Capri S. Cafaro of Liberty, D-32nd, for her support and work on behalf of veterans, with the Ohio AMVETS Legislative Award.

The award is given to civil servants who have shown great willingness to work with AMVETS, responding to the issues Ohio’s veterans currently face, and striving to improve veterans’ benefits, AMVETS officials said.

RETIREMENT

Air Force Master Sgt. Albert H. Bell, son of Philip and Khung Bell of Mercer, Pa., has retired after 20 years of service.

Bell, grandson of Elsie Bell of Mercer and the late John R. Bell, and Kiem Chung of California, graduated in 1987 from Mercer High School. He began his military career with the 842nd Security Policy Group, Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., in 1989.

He has served in various positions such as alarm response team leader, flight security controller, flight trainer, and was assigned to Zaragoza Air Base in Spain, where he had the positions of law enforcement patrolman and security response leader.

While in Spain, he was named his unit’s Airman of the Year and was a distinguished graduate of Airman Leader School.

He ended his career as flight sergeant for the 75th Security Forces Squadron, 75th Mission Support Group, 75th Air Base Wing, Hill AFB, Utah.

Bell’s major awards include the Aerial Achievement, Air Force Commendation, Air Force Achievement, Armed Forces Expeditionary and Global War on Terrorism Medals.

He received an associate of applied science degree in criminal justice from the Community College of the Air Force.

Bell and his wife, Maria, and their daughter, Alexis, and son, Cody, live in Utah.

HONORS

Marine Corps 1st Lt. Eric L. Brye, a 2001 graduate of United High School, Hanoverton, was recently designated a Naval Aviator while serving with Training Squadron 21, Naval Air Station, Kingsville, Texas. Brye was presented with the “Wings of Gold,” marking the culmination of his flight training.

DEPLOYED

Army National Guard Sgt. Kevin E. Heiderman has been deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. A human resource specialist, he is assigned to the 449th Theatre Aviation Brigade.

Heiderman, who has served in the military for nine years, is the son of William D. Heiderman of Hermitage, Pa., and Sally J. Heiderman of West Middlesex, Pa. He graduated in 2000 from West Middlesex Junior-Senior High School, and received a degree in 2007 from Pennsylvania State University, Erie.

ADVANCED TRAINING

Air Force Airman 1st Class Timothy M. Egger graduated from the Air Traffic Control Operations Apprentice Course at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.

Egger, assigned to the 436th Operation Support Squadron, Dover Air Force Base, Del., is the son of Michael L. and Darlah S. Egger of Sandy Lake, Pa., and is a 2008 graduate of Lakeview High School, Stoneboro, Pa.

BASIC TRAINING

Army: Pvt. Jamall D. Javey (Euclid High School, ’06), son of Tina Stewart of Cleveland and Lester Javey 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.