ARMED FORCES DIGEST || Homecoming stories

VETERANS

Homecoming stories

YOUNGSTOWN

With the announced end of the Iraq war and President Barack Obama’s pledge to have troops home for the holidays, The Vindicator is seeking area Iraq veterans who recently have come home or are coming home before the upcoming Christmas/ Hanukkah season and their families for a story about how they plan to mark this extra- special homecoming.

People interested in sharing their story can send information, including name, address, telephone number and email address, to Iraq Veteran Homecoming, The Vindicator, Regional Desk, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780, or email it to alcorn @vindy.com.

ACADEMY NEWS

Graduate will teach

Air Force 2nd Lt. Cody Wheeler, son of Mark and Hope Wheeler of Boardman, was commissioned and graduated from the Air Force Academy in May on the Dean’s List with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a minor in Spanish.

Wheeler, a 2006 graduate of Boardman High School, received an award for his undergraduate chemistry research in hydrogen fuel production as part of his senior capstone project. While pursuing his degree, he was chosen for cultural immersion programs in Panama, Peru and Uruguay, and was sent to Japan for operational research. Also, during his time at the Academy, he held several leadership positions for his cadet squadron.

He will teach chemistry at the Air Force Academy Prep School in Colorado Springs, Colo., and then report to Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas for two years of pilot training.

BASIC TRAINING GRADS

Marine Corps: Pvt. Eric J. Crouser (Reynolds Senior High School, Greenville, Pa., ’11); Pvt. Kenneth W. Jones, son of Val and Kenneth Jones of Boardman.

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.