Armed forces digest

Armed forces digest

VETERANS

Marine reunion set

YOUNGSTOWN

The Tri-State Marine Detachment’s 31st annual reunion is Aug. 21 at the Italian American Vets banquet hall, 115 S. Meridian Road. The event, which will include a featured speaker, food, refreshments, door prizes, auction, raffle and music and dancing, begins at 6 p.m. and ends at midnight.

The cost is $22 per person. For tickets, call Frank Griffiths at 330-533-2314, Ed Leviseur at 330-702-0677 or Dick Mitchells at 330-533-3433.

Program for veterans

AURORA, COLO.

The Retired Enlisted Association, through its Armed Forces Aid Campaign, has launched a new program, Vocational Educational Training, that will provide disabled Afghanistan and Iraq veterans separating from the military an opportunity to receive training in an area suitable for their experience and background.

Assistance will be awarded on a case-by-case basis with allowances made for the severity of the disability, type of vocational training sought and financial situation of the applicant.

For eligibility information and an application, call Bill DeBoer, chairman of the Retired Enlisted Association Foundation, toll-free at 800-338-9337.

Veterans’ seminar

NEW CASTLE, PA.

A Veterans’ Benefits Seminar is Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Lawrence County Courthouse commissioners meeting room. Veterans, widows of veterans and social workers are invited to attend.

DEPLOYED

Senior medical officer

SALEM

Navy Cmdr. Dr. Daniel J. Ackerson, who has served three tours in Iraq attached to Marine Corps units including the initial ground assault in 2003, recently became senior medical officer at a branch clinic of the Jacksonville, Fla., Naval Hospital.

Dr. Ackerson, son of Mary E. and Edward L. Ackerson of Salem, is a 1981 graduate of South Range High School of North Lima and a 1987 graduate of Youngstown State University. He received his commission upon graduation from Ohio State University’s School of Medicine in 1991. Dr. Ackerson and his wife, Vonda, have three children.

ADVANCED TRAINING

Marine aviation

BESSEMER, PA.

Marine Corps Pfc. Mollie E. Cressman, a 2008 graduate of Mohawk High School, Bessemer, graduated from the Marine Aviation Supply Mechanized Course at Naval Technical Training Center, Meridian, Miss.

During the course, students learn ordering, requisition, inventory and stock procedures to perform as supply clerks in Fleet Marine Force aviation units and air squadrons. Cressman joined the Marines in September 2009.

BASIC TRAINING GRADS

Air Force: Airman Charles E. Turnage (East High School, Youngstown, ’08), son of Hazel Watson and Charles Turnage, both of Youngstown; Airman 1st Class Jamhal M. Simon (Woodrow Wilson High School, Youngstown, ’04), son of Lynda Hughes-Bowman of Youngstown; Airman James K. Miller (Southern Local High School, Salineville, ’06), son of Christine Miller of Salineville.

Navy: Seaman Nathaniel T. Koza (Jamestown High School, Jamestown, Pa., ’09), son of Connie and Thomas J. Koza of Jamestown; Fireman Ryan A. Murray (Greenville High School, Greenville, Pa., ‘09), son of Mary Jo Sevacko of Greenville, Pa., and Richard A. Murray of Espyville, Pa.

Items 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