ARMED FORCES

ARMED FORCES

VETERANS

Volunteers needed

YOUNGSTOWN

Steffon Wydell Jones is seeking volunteers to help the George Wydell Jones Jr. Memorial Team place flags on military graves in Oak Hill Cemetery for Memorial Day. For more information, call Jones at 330-774-8214.

Council meeting set

LOWELLVILLE

Lowellville American Legion Post 247 will host the Mahoning County United Veterans Council meeting at 7 p.m. Monday. The meeting will be at Lowellville City Hall, said Everett W. Olive, post vice commander.

Online help

WASHINGTON

The U.S. Department of Labor recently released an online tool, REALifelines, to assist military veterans, service members and their families by providing access to resources to support them as they transition into the civilian work force and community life.

The REALifelines: Veterans Employment and Career Transition Advisor offers guidance on finding a job, veterans’ rights when returning to a pre-service employer, opportunities for federal employment, benefits and other support services and assistance for family members. It also offers specific information for Wounded Warriors, including guidance on job accommodations and other disability employment issues.

Purple Heart honorees

BAZETTA

The Trumbull County Fair Board will honor all Trumbull County residents who have been awarded the Purple Heart for their service in the military during a ceremony July 4.

Quilters and crafters from the county are creating quilts, afghans and throws to be presented to the veterans. The Fair Board asks that county residents who have been awarded a Purple Heart call 330-889-2181 so the veterans can be identified and invited to the ceremony.

New officers

YOUNGSTOWN

The Marine Corps League Tri-State Detachment 494 recently installed 2011-12 officers. They are John Jubak, commandant; Allen Kozak, senior vice commandant; Bruce Kirkland, junior vice commandant; Harry Dampf, judge advocate; Frank A. Sokol, past commandant; Frank Griffiths, paymaster; Earl Calvin, adjutant; Dale Baringer, chaplain; John Kirsch, sergeant-at-arms; and Robert Brienik, historian.

MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD

Essay contest

During April, Month of the Military Child, Blue Star Families will honor military children beginning with an essay contest posing the question “What does it mean to you to be a military child?”

The contest is open to any child in kindergarten through fifth grade with a parent or sibling, including step-parents and siblings, serving on active duty, in the Reserves or the National Guard.

Prizes will be given to the overall winner and the top two entries in each age category. The prizes include: AAFES gift cards provided by United Concordia, a Barnes & Noble Nook, books donated by Blue Star Families’ partners, Random House and Sleeping Bear Press and a webcam and coupon codes to record stories through “Be There Bedtime Stories.”

To participate, see the rules and guidelines on the Blue Star Families website: www.bluestarfam.org and view military child essay contest. Winners will be announced May 11.

PROMOTIONS

Technical sergeant

Air Force Technical Sgt. Kenneth C. Dickey, a 1997 graduate of Wellsville High School, was promoted to his current rank while serving as an enlisted recruiter with the Air Force Recruiting Command in Canton. Dickey is a son of Scott and Laurie Watkins of Wellsville. His mother is Jennifer Dickey of Austintown,

ADVANCED TRAINING

Course completed

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan J. Barth, a 2009 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School, Warren, recently graduated from the Gun Fire Control System MK 86 Maintenance Course while assigned to Fleet Combat Training Center Atlantic, Va. During the 33-week course, Barth learned to operate and maintain the MK 86 Gun Fire Control System, which is used aboard destroyers and cruisers. Barth joined the Navy in July 2009.

BASIC TRAINING GRADS

Army: Reserve Spec. Robert Garcia (Jamestown High School, Jamestown, Pa., ’82), son of Mary Pier of Greenville, Pa.; Army National Guard Pvt. Dylan R. Mapel (United Local High School, Hanoverton, ’10), son of Mark Mapel of Hanoverton.

Navy: Seaman Apprentice Christal L. Miller (Jamestown High School, Jamestown, Pa., ’09).

Academy News

Attending seminar

Andrew Umeck, a junior at Boardman High School, will attend the Naval Academy’s 2011 Summer Seminar in June. The session involves attending academic classes, participating in physical training, leadership exercises and field trips. Umeck is the son of Jacqui Umeck of Boardman and Ken Umeck of Niles.

Items of note for the Armed Forces Digest can be sent to The Vindicator, Regional Desk, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780, or emailed to alcorn@vindy.com