Armed forces digest

Armed forces digest

NEOWV marks 30th

AKRON/BOARDMAN

The Northeast Ohio Women Veterans (NEOWV) Unit 21, originally chartered as North Coast WAVES Unit 21 on Feb. 15, 1986, in Akron by WAVES National, which changed to Military Women Across the Nation on Aug. 8, 2014, recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Sandra Kurt, Summit County clerk of courts was master of ceremonies for the program which featured a special POW ceremony performed by the Lincoln West High School JROTC of Cleveland.

Military Women Across the Nation National President Patty Parks attended the ceremony and praised the achievements of Unit 21. The local group’s president, Jennifer Baun of Boardman, reviewed the history of the organization and recognized the only charter member present, Ruby Gilliam of Minerva, and Frona Liston of North Canton for having held every elected position in Unit 21.

During the last three decades, the NEOWV members have served in their communities throughout Northeast Ohio by locating, identifying and informing women veterans about programs, services and groups; have participated in Stand Down events by taking care of the personal needs of female veterans, and volunteered at Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinics and Veteran Service Commission Offices.

NEOWV Unit 21 membership is open to any woman who has honorably served in any branch of the armed forces. For information, contact Jennifer Baun at Jennifer.baun@att.net or 314-803-8643 or Delores Speed at djspeed289@gmail.com.

Parking space for vet

NILES

Shepherd of the Valley has dedicated one parking space at each of its five locations in honor of Military Order of the Purple Heart recipients.

The parking spaces are intended to honor the residents, staff and community members who were wounded defending our country. It is a reminder of the sacrifice they made and a gesture of our gratitude,” SOV officials said.

Shepherd of the Valley is conducting a dedication ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Shepherd of the Valley, 1500 McKinley Ave. For information, contact Danielle Procopio at 330-774-3522 or Shepherd of the Valley at 330-544-0771, Ext. 0.

DEPLOYED

Guard sent overseas

TOLEDO

About 125 soldiers from the Ohio National Guard’s 323rd Military Police Company in Toledo are deploying overseas in support of both Operation Inherent Resolve and the U.S. Southern Command area of operations. The public is invited to the soldiers’ call to duty ceremony at 10 a.m. Tuesday at The Cedar Creek Church, 29129 Lime City Road, Perrysburg, Ohio.

PROMOTION

New Air Force major

BOARDMAN

Air Force Maj. Stephen J. Koltonski, son of Marcy and Ed Koltonski of Boardman, was recently promoted to his present rank while serving as a U-28 pilot with Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

A 10-year military veteran, Koltonski is a 2001 graduate of Boardman High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in 2006 from Ohio University in Athens.

BASIC TRAINING GRADS

Air Force: Airman Zack L. Schell, a 2016 graduate of Keystone Oaks High School, Dormont, Pa. , brother of Tyler J. Schell of Pittsburgh and Dawn Y. Schell of Greenville, 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 emailed to alcorn@vindy.com