VETERANS

VETERANS

Service-related illness

YOUNGSTOWN — Veterans who served in Vietnam during the war and who have a “presumed” illness don’t have to prove an association between their illnesses and their military service.

This “presumption” simplifies and speeds up the application process for benefits, according to the Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently added three new conditions; B cell leukemias, such as hairy-cell leukemia; Parkinson’s disease; and ischemic heart disease.

For assistance in filing claims, contact Anthony Nagle of the county veterans service commission at (330) 740-2450, ext. 8388.

DEPLOYED

Guardsman back from Iraq

Army National Guard Sgt. William Q. Emerich has returned to the United States after being deployed overseas at a forward operating base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Emerich, an infantryman with eight years of military service, is a member of A Company, 112th Infantry in Butler, Pa. He is the son of William R. Emerich Jr. and Sandi J. Banick, both of Hermitage, Pa., and is a 2001 graduate of Hickory High School in Hermitage.

ADVANCED TRAINING

Medical student

Air Force 2nd Lt. Jason A. Beachler has entered into the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., as a first-year medical student.

During the four-year program. Beachler will be trained to serve as a physician in the Army, Navy, Air Force or the public-health service.

In addition to free tuition, students receive free books, equipment and instruments. They are considered active-duty military members while attending the university and receive pay benefits of a junior ranking officer.

Upon graduation, students are promoted to a higher-ranking officer with an upgraded salary and are obligated to “pay back” the cost of their education through at least seven years active duty and six years on inactive ready-reserve status.

Beachler is the son of Craig W. Beachler of Brookfield and Nancy L. Woodruff of Columbiana. He graduated in 2004 from Crestview High School in Columbiana and received a bachelor’s degree in 2009 from Ohio State University.

Naval nuclear operator

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Glenn S. Wintrode, son of Carla L. and John S. Seaquist of McDonald, recently completed the Naval Nuclear Power Training Pipeline course at the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Ballston Spa, N.Y., and qualified as a Naval nuclear operator. Wintrode is a 2007 graduate of McDonald High School.

BASIC TRAINING GRADS

Air Force: Airman 1st Class Jeordyn D. Milbauer (Beaver Local High School, Lisbon, ’09), daughter of Dan and Nicole Milbauer of Wellsville.

Army: Reserve Spec. Abayomi I. Osoko (University of Atlanta, Ga., ’07). His wife, Rhonda, is the daughter of Jane Bell of Grove City, Pa.; National Guard Pfc. Michael T. Buchenic (Canfield High School, ’09), son of Mark and Carla Buchenic of Canfield.

Marine Corps: Pfc. Robert Waring (Campbell Memorial High School, ’09) son of Eileen Waring of Campbell.

Navy: Seaman Recruit Kasey M. Eshenbaugh (Boardman High School, ’08), daughter of Pamela J. Guidos of Boardman.

ACADEMY NOMINEE

Valley residents’ grandson

Robert Sadinsky, grandson of James and Paula Esposito of Austintown and Henry and Mary Sadinski of Youngstown, has been nominated to attend the Air Force Academy.

Sadinsky, a student at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, is the son of Robert and Christine Sadinsky of Tallmadge.

He was among 17 area high school students nominated to military academies who were honored at a recent breakfast with U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, at McMenamy’s Banquet Center in Niles.

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.