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Park Forest Salutes its Veterans

veterans-2006

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— Park Forest celebrated Veterans Day with a 7 p.m. program on November 13, 2006 in the board room at Village Hall. The Presentation of Colors, led by Donald Ziems, was by Boy Scout Troop 156 and Cub Scout Webelos Pack 156. The following is information on those honored from the program published for the event.

Gary Garhammer, Jr. U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, served as a civil engineer for 6 years, and was deployed twice overseas during that time. In 2005, he transferred to the Army to train with Special Forces, and was based at Fort Knox in Kentucky. He received a medical discharge in 2006 due to an injury sustained during combat maneuvers.

veterans-18SGT. David A Dew, Jr., U.S. Marines, just returned from his 2nd tour of duty in Iraq. He is an 0621 Radio Operator and a 8851. A, Martial Arts Instructor. He and his wife Tiffany will be moving to San Diego, CA, where his next assignment will be a Drill Instructor.

Lance Corporal Lucas B. Hodges, U.S. Marines, served with the Scout/Sniper unit in the 2nd Bat. 2nd Marine stationed in Camp Lejuenne and served in Iraq from March 2004 to September 2004, where he fought in the battle of Fellujah in April 2004. He has now completed his Medic training for the U.S. Army and is currently in Arizona.

Airman Spencer Robinson U.S. Air Force, a 2004 graduate from Rich East High School. He currently is assigned to the 1st Medical Support Squadron as a Medical Logistician at Langley AFB in Virginia. In October 2006 he was recommended for the base honor guard. He plans on making the Air Force his career.

veterans-26Petty Officer 2nd Class John W. Reindt, III. U.S. Navy Serves as an airman in the US Navy. He served aboard the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier and participated in the first "Shock and Awe" battle in|he Persian Gulf. He is currently stationed at Point Mugu, Oxnard, California aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. During that time, the Lincoln participated in Exercise Valiant Shield 2006 wfich was the first exercise in more than a decade to employ three carrier strike groups – USS Abraham Lincoln, USS Kitty Hawk and USS Ronald Reagan.

Robert E McLeod, Ret. U.S, Navy, 1979-1999, served on the USS Iwo Jima LPH-2, with the U.S. Peacekeeping forces in Beirut Lebanon in 1983. He was stationed at the Naval Air Station Chase Field, Beeville Texas and then aboard the USS Independence CV-62. In August 1989 he was transferred to Commander Naval Air Forces Pacific Fleet where he provided technical support to Pacific Fleet aircraft carriers during Desert Storm. In September 1991, he served aboard the USS Ranger CV-61, which was the first ship to respond to Somalia. During October of 1993, he reported to USS Essex LHD-2, the ship was part of Operation United Shield.

veterans-03 Robert E.L. Mcleod U.S. Navy enlisted in the U.S. Navy in basic training in November 2004, completed Aviation Structural Mechanic school in March 2005. He reported for duty at Whidbey Island, Washington, Aviation Intimidate Maintenance Department Detachment in April 2005. In April 2006, he was deployed with the USS Enterprise CVN-65.

SFC Cassandra Williams U.S. Army, serving her second tour of duty in Iraq. A 1988 graduate from Rich East High. Her retired Army husband, Marvin, is home with their two children in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

veterans-08 Seaman Apprentice (SA/E2) Erik Wegmann Great Lakes Naval Base, Great Lakes, IL, took his basic training at Great Lakes Naval Base from April, 2006 thru June, 2006 and continued his education for Fire Controlman Advanced Technical Training from June 2006 thru September 2006. He attended Fire Controlman Apprentice School until November, 2006 and he is now anxiously awaiting his next assignment.

1SG Ronnell L. Jackson U.S. Army Reserve-Homewood, IL, served in Iraq from 2003 to 2004; also served tours in Vietnam and Kosovo. A retired police officer and has been a resident of Park Forest for 30 years.veterans-14

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