Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 11, 1995                   TAG: 9505110030
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: N-13   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

IN SERVICE

The group is named after the Union hero of the Battle of Gettysburg and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, established in 1881, are descendents of Union Army, Navy and Marine veterans.

NAVY PETTY OFFICER 3RD CLASS CURTIS L. THAXTON, of Daleville, recently re-enlisted for four years while serving in Quantico.

Thaxton is a 1987 graduate of Lord Botetourt High School.

MARINE LANCE CPL. MICHAEL L. SMITH, son of Michael L. Smith Sr. of Roanoke, recently was promoted to his present rank while serving with 4th Combat Engineer Battalion in Lynchburg.

Smith is a 1993 graduate of William Fleming High School.

NAVY SEAMAN RECRUIT STEPHANIE M. BILBRO, daughter of retired Air Force Tech. Sgt. and Mrs. Gary M. Bilbro of Buchanan, recently completed basic training at Great Lakes, Ill.

Bilbro is a 1993 graduate of James River High School.

2ND LT. DOUGLAS W. POFF, son of H. Ray and Ruby G. Poff of Roanoke, has earned the Army Commendation Medal, which is awarded to soldiers who demonstrate outstanding achievement or meritorious service in the performance of their duties. Poff is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School and the College of William and Mary.

SEAMAN RECRUIT ROBERT G. GILES, son of Robert G. and Mary P. Giles of Roanoke, completed basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. He is a 1988 graduate of Roanoke Valley Christian School and a 1994 graduate of Radford University.