Military News

Military Police

Pvt. Heather Selway, stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., was deployed to Iraq with her unit Feb. 27 for a one-year tour of duty. Her parents are Robert and Rebecca Selway of Washington. Selway is a 2007 graduate of Trinity High School.

Army National Guard Pvt. Matthew W. Hudak has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. He is a 2009 graduate of Ringgold High School, and his parents are Tracy Viatle and Mark Hudak, both of Monongahela.

Thirty-three members of Crusaders Composite Squadron 601 of Washington recently participated in a Winter Training Weekend at the Somerset County Airport hosted by Squadron 1502 from Somerset County. Training accomplishments included:

n Four members who received training toward mission staff assistant ratings;

n Four who received training toward mission radio operator ratings;

n Two who received training toward a ground branch directors rating;

n Four who received training toward a ground team leaders rating;

n Twenty-four who received training toward various ground team member ratings.

Published 2/28/2010

Air Force

Airman Ricky S. Cole 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 graduated in 2007 from Charleroi Area High School. His parents are Donna Wnek of Donora and Rick Cole of Charleroi.

Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Michael E. Korte is returning to the United States after a deployment to Iraqi. Korte is a petroleum supply specialist with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 104th General Support Aviation in Annville. While serving in Iraq, he received the Army Commendation Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NTC Defense Service Ribbon, NCO Prof Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Kosovo Campaign Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Ribbon, NATO Ribbon, Meritorious Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Ribbon, Army Achievement Medal and Global War on Terrorism Ribbon. He has served in the military for 18 years. Korte is a 1986 graduate of Washington High School, and his mother is Sylvia L. Korte of Washington.

Air Force

Reserve Airman Derrick L. Petix, son of Susan Petix of Charleroi, 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 degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Petix is a 2009 graduate of Charleroi Area High School.

Published 2/21/2010

Army Pvt. Jason S. Albright graduated from Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. He graduated in 2006 from Canon-McMillan High School, and his father is Roderick Albright of Muse.

U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. T.J. Gilmore graduated with highest distinction from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.l., with a master's degree in national security and strategic studies. Gilmore is a 1994 graduate of Washington High School; a 1999 graduate of the Citadel with a bachelor's degree in history; and a 2005 graduate of Troy State University with a master's degree in international relations. Since being commissioned in 1999, he has completed deployments to the Western Pacific Ocean, Persian Gulf and Mediterranean Sea. Gilmore has received orders to report to the staff of Commander, Carrier Strike Group Eight, on the USS Eisenhower for deployment to the Middle East. His parents are Janice Gilmore of Washington and the late Judge David L. Gilmore. He and his wife, Amy, have two children, Ella, 5, and Andrew Jackson, 2.

Dr. Denise L. Hopkins-Chadwick was recently promoted to the rank of colonel aboard the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Hopkins-Chadwick, a native of Washington, received her active duty commission in May 1987. She has served continuously since then, and her assignments and positions have included assistant chief of emergency medical treatment in a combat/evacuation hospital; staff nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit in Germany; assistant chief of the emergency department and special staff officer to the commander at Fort Drum, N.Y.; chief of medical combat training in San Antonio, Texas; and research scientist at Fort Lewis, Wash. She is currently the chief of the Nursing Research Service for Pacific Regional at Tripier Army Medical Center in Honolulu. She earned a bachelor's degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania; a master's in nursing from the University of Washington; and a doctorate in philosophy from Ohio State University. Her parents are Bob and Doris Hopkins, who reside in the Washington area. She and her husband, Brian, have two children, Robert and Maddie.

Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Thomas E. Mimidis 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.

Mimidis is a 2009 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, and his mother is Deborah Mimidis of Finleyville.

Army National Guard Sgt. Charles M. Walker III is returning to the United States after a deployment to Iraq. Walker is a petroleum supply specialist assigned to Company A, 628th Aviation Support Battalion in Annville. He has served in the military for 17 years. His parents are Charles M. Walker Jr. and Marla Walker, both of Nemacolin. He is a 1981 graduate of Carmichaels Junior-Senior High School and a 2009 graduate of California University of Pennsylvania.

Cadet Byron Walker Zajdel was named to the dean's list at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. His parents are Daniel and Laura Zajdel of McMurray. Zajdel graduated from Peters Township High School in 2008.

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.

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.