ARMED FORCES

ARMED FORCES

VETERANS

Help with benefits

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission is offering help to veterans and widows receiving nonservice-connected disability pensions and widow’s pensions in completing their annual eligibility-verification and medical-expense reports.

Because of ever-changing Veterans Affairs Department policies, it is best to seek advice from an advocate to ensure continued receipt of benefits, said Barry E. Landgraver, service commission executive director. For tips and information on maintaining VA pensions, call the Veterans Service Commission at 330-740-2451.

Golden Corral events

RALEIGH, N.C.

Golden Corral Restaurants 10th annual Military Appreciation Monday raised more than $1 million in a single night for Disabled American Veterans chapters across the country.

On Nov. 15, Golden Corral welcomed more than 375,000 of the nation’s active-duty troops and military veterans into its restaurants and served a free “thank-you” meal in honor of their service and sacrifice to the nation.

In addition, the Golden Corral restaurants hosted local Disabled American Veterans chapters across the country with their major fund-raising event for the year, raising a record $1,001,734 through donations given directly to the local DAV Chapters to serve the needs of disabled veterans in the local communities in which Golden Corral operates across the country.

ADVANCED TRAINING

Field artillery

Army Pvt. Robert S. Bango has graduated from the Basic Field Artillery Cannon Crew Member Advanced Individual Training course at Fort Sill, Okla. Bango is the son of Donna L. Bango of Boardman.

BASIC TRAINING GRADS

Air Force: Airman Germaine K. Somrajit (Campbell Memorial High School, ’09), son of Sylvia Jones of Campbell and Ray Somrajit of Baltimore; Reserve Airman 1st Class Stephanie C. Parks, honors graduate (Sierra High School, Colorado Springs, Colo., ’99), daughter of Leland Johnson of Widefield, Colo., and Paula Johnson of Campbell; Reserve Airman Dustin J. Dickinson, (Crestview High School, Columbiana, ’10), son of Greg and Candie Dickinson of New Waterford; Reserve Airman Nathan R. Keene (Sebring High School, ’09), son of Kim and Belinda Keene of Beloit; Reserve Airman David B. Shankle Jr., honors graduate (Springfield Local High School, New Middletown, ’03), son of Jennifer Newell of Poland; Airman Brett J. Wesoloski (Hickory High School, Hermitage, Pa., ’10), son of Darin Wesoloski of Hermitage and Michele Wesoloski of Greenville, Pa.; Airman 1st Class Robert D. Morris, honors graduate (Beaver Local High School, Lisbon, ’09), nephew of William Peterson of Rogers; Airman 1st Class Justin M. Montgomery, honors graduate (Beaver Local High School, Lisbon, ’04, Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa., ’08), son of Herman and Debbie Montgomery of East Liverpool.

Army: Pvt. Jyvaris T. Wooden (Northside High School, Warner Robins, Ga., ’09), son of Joseph Calwise of Youngstown, and brother of Wendy S. Thomas of Warner Robins; Pvt. Clinton W. Barnhart (East Liverpool High School, ’00), son of Richard Barnhart of East Liverpool.

Marine Corps: Pvt. Theodore T. Macejko IV (Stow Munroe Falls High School, ’10), son of Carol Macy Macejko of Stow and Ted Macejko III of Akron, grandson of Atty. Theodore T. and Theresa Macejko Jr. of Poland and great-grandson of Helen Macejko of Struthers and the late Theodore T. Macejko Sr.

Navy: Seaman Apprentice Kevin D. Talley Jr. (Farrell High School, Farrell, Pa., ’08), son of Kevin D. Talley I and stepson of Lynette Talley, both of Farrell; Seaman Zachary C. Parks (United High School, Hanoverton, ’10), son of Joyce M. and Rodney A. Parks; Seaman Recruit Emily M. Frye (Jefferson Area High School, Jefferson, ’10).

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