ARMED FORCES

ARMED FORCES

VETERANS

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning County Veteran Service Commission, 345 Oakhill Ave., Suite 100, Youngstown, is offering to help veterans and veteran’s widows receiving Veterans Affairs nonservice-connected disability pensions and widow’s pensions complete their annual eligibility verification and medical-expense reports.

Because of ever-changing VA policies and a new medical expense form, it is best to seek advice from an advocate to ensure continued receipt of benefits, said Barry E. Landgraver, service-commission executive director. Also, for tips and information on maintaining VA pensions, call the Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission at 330-740-2451.

PROMOTIONS

Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Ernest W. Jones, a squadron superintendent with 611th Air Communications Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, recently was named the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and has been selected for promotion to chief master sergeant.

Jones is the son of Grace A. Jones of East Liverpool. His wife, Darcell, is the daughter of Robert and Patty Bruce of New Cumberland, W.Va. He graduated in 1982 from Beaver Local High School, Lisbon, and earned an associate degree in 2003 from the Community College of the Air Force, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.

DEPLOYED

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class James A. Lising, a 2001 graduate of Boardman High School and son of Lauren J. Macek and Ken E. Francis-Macek, both of Boardman, assigned to the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18), recently participated in a community-service project at the House of Family children’s shelter in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

The shelter is funded by the School of Public Health and Social Work of St. Elizabeth and serves as a refuge for HIV/AIDS positive orphans or vulnerable children. Sailors and Marines helped make a stone walkway for the shelter, played games and danced with the children and provided them basic medical treatment.

The New Orleans deployed early in November in support of the nation’s Maritime Strategy and is conducting theater security cooperation missions in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

BASIC TRAINING GRADS

Air Force: Reserve Airman Mark A. Magnolia (Austintown Fitch High School, ’08), son of Theresa and Alex Magnolia of Austintown; Airman 1st Class Bryan K. Sebrell (Salem High School, ’06, and the University of Pittsburgh, ’10), son of Larry and Sandra Sebrell of Salem; Airman Drew William Metzger (Lowellville High School, ’10) son of Deborah L. Metzger of Lowellville and the late Martin L. Metzger.

Army: Army National Guard Pvt. Ryan J. Thompson (Springfield Local High School, New Middletown, ’11), son of Robin Thompson of New Middletown.

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