Military News

Army National Guard Capt. Christopher B. Bowers is returning to the United States after a deployment to Iraq. Bowers is a deputy logistics officer with Headquarters, 28th Combat Aviation Brigade in Annville. He has served in the military for 14 years. His mother is Sheryl A. Bowers of Canonsburg. Bowers is a 1996 graduate of Canon-McMillan High School and a 2001 graduate of Shippensburg University.

Army National Guard Spc. David P. Budavich is returning to the United States after a deployment to Iraq. Budavich is an automated logistics specialist with Company A, 628th Aviation Support Battalion in Annville. He has six years of military service. His parents are Edward and Diana L. Budavich of McDonald, and he is a 1994 graduate of Carlynton Junior-Senior High School.

Army Reserve Sgt. Michael P. Fender of the 304th Transportation Command based in Westover, Mass., has been mobilized and activated at Fort Dix, N.J., in preparation for deployment to serve in support of either the war in Iraq or Afghanistan. Fender is a motor transport operator and has served in the military for eight years. His parents are Richard P. and Leona E. Fender of McDonald, and he is a 1995 graduate of Fort Cherry High School.

Published 1/31/2010

Airman

Jordan Copeland Anderson has been selected to participate in the opening ceremonies of Super Bowl XLIV Feb. 7 as a member of the Air Force Honor Guard. He is a 2008 graduate of Washington High School. Anderson is stationed at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., and his parents are Bruce and Cheri Anderson of Washington.

Army National Guard Spec. Nathan V. Anderson graduated from Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. Anderson is a 2004 graduate of Ringgold High School and a 2009 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. His mother is Debrah Anderson of Finleyville.

Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Bryon K. Coffman has deployed overseas to a forward operating base to serve in support of the war in Iraq. Coffman is a bioenvironmental engineer technician and a member of the 171st Air Refueling Wing, based in Coraopolis. He has served in the military for 19 years. His mother is W. Jean Coffman of Houston. He received a bachelor's degree in 1980 from West Liberty State College.

Air Force

Airman

1st Class

Andrew P. Dewalt graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate degree in applied science through the Community College of the Air Force. Dewalt graduated in 2000 from Chartiers-Houston High School, and he received an associate degree in 2003 from the Pittsburgh Technical Institute. His parents are Duane and Rise Dewalt of Canonsburg.

Air Force

Airman Derek M. Michniak graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate degree in applied science through the Community College of the Air Force. Michniak's parents are Lori Gerhardt of Crescent and Daniel Michniak of Dilliner. He is a 2008 graduate of Mapletown High School.

Air National Guard

Airman

1st Class Christopher A. Weber graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate degree in applied science through the Community College of the Air Force. Weber is a 2007 graduate of Mars Area High School, and his father is Richard Weber of McMurray.

Army Reserve Spec. Alex C. Wendler has been mobilized and activated at Fort Dix, N.J., in preparation for deployment to serve in Iraq. Wendler is a member of the 304th Transportation Company, based in Springfield, Mass., and is a motor transport operator with more than two years of military service. His parents are Susan L. Coit-Wendler and Bernard F. Wendler of Washington. He graduated in 2006 from Washington High School.

Published 1/17/2010

Capt. Steven M. Hoak recently returned to the United States after completing a tour of duty in Iraq. Hoak is an Army Medivac pilot assigned to the 152nd Aviation Regiment in Fairbanks, Alaska. Hoak graduated in 2002 from California High School and earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering in 2006 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. His parents are John and GeriLee Morgan Hoak of Coal Center.

Army National Guard Pvt. Anne Marie Jurena graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. She is a 2007 graduate of Carlynton Junior-Senior High School in Pittsburgh. Her grandfather is Rudolph Jurena of Burgettstown.

Army Pvt. Christopher M. Shaw graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. Shaw's parents are Jason and Patricia McCartney of Mt. Morris, and he is a 2007 graduate of Waynesburg Central High School.

Army Pvt. Donald R. Wamsley graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. Wamsley is a 1993 graduate of Mapletown Junior-Senior High School.

Army Reserve Pvt. Michael A. Todora has completed the Warrior Transition Course at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. The course teaches basic skills necessary for integration into the Army to fully prepare service members for advanced individual training or for their first assignment. Todora is a 2008 graduate of Charleroi Area High School. His parents are Hugh A. Todora of Charleroi and Michelle L. Cusick of Pittsburgh.

Army National Guard Sgt. Michael S. Spriggs, a 1999 graduate of Waynesburg Central High School, has returned to the United States after being deployed overseas at a forward operating base in Iraq. Spriggs, an infantryman, is a member of B Company, 112th Infantry, based in Cambridge Springs. He has served in the military for 10 years. Spriggs' parents are Kenneth P. and Lavinia M. Spriggs of Sycamore.

Air Force Airman Anthony J. Klesser, son of Shawn Klesser of Canonsburg, graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate degree in applied science through the Community College of the Air Force. He is a 2009 graduate of Trinity High School.