ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, May 2, 1996 TAG: 9605030005
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-9 EDITION: METRO
PVT. JACOB B. SMITH, son of Stephen P. and Kathy G. Smith of Roanoke, recently completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, S.C.
Smith is a 1995 graduate of Northside High School.
SGT. 1st CLASS STACEY D. MUSSELMAN of Salem was recently promoted to her present rank in the 229th Chemical Company, Virginia Army National Guard, which is based in Roanoke.
AIRMAN 3rd CLASS MICHAEL H. CREASY JR., son of Linda Hooks of Roanoke, recently graduated with honors from the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla. Creasy, a 1989 graduate of Patrick Henry High School, will be stationed in Jacksonville, Fla.
STAFF SGT. DOUGLAS D. MINNICK, son of Rita B. and William M. Grisso Jr. of Roanoke, recently completed a six-month deployment to the Adriatic Sea near Bosnia and the Persian Gulf. Minnick, a 1993 graduate of Cave Spring High School, served aboard the aircraft carrier USS America. He is stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, S.C.
NAVY PETTY OFFICER 1st CLASS DAVID A. GIBSON, son of John D. Gibson of Salem, recently received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Gibson was recognized for his outstanding achievement while serving as flag supervisor with Amphibious Group Two in Norfolk. He is a 1979 graduate of Salem High School.
NAVY SEAMAN JONATHAN R. SOWERS, son of Regina R. Vassar of Roanoke, recently visited India and participated in naval exercises with the Indian Navy. Sower's ship, the USS John McCain, was one of four U.S. ships and submarines that trained with Indian naval units in tracking submarines, naval gunfire, refueling at sea and helicopter operations. Before returning to Pearl Harbor in May, Sowers will visit Australia and Fiji. He is a 1992 graduate of Patrick Henry High School.
PETTY OFFICER RICHARD NEIL SMITH, a 1979 graduate of Northside High School, was one of five finalists in the 1996 Vice Chief of Naval Operations Naval Shore Activities Sailor of the Year Award. Smith, currently assigned to Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, participated in a variety of weeklong activities with his wife, Vickey, and daughters, Pamela and Jennifer, including a White House tour.
AIRMAN KRISTIAN R. BROWN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Brown of Vinton, recently graduated from the Great Lakes Training Center. He was named an honor graduate from the Aircrew Survival Equipmentman Course at the Naval Air Technical Training Center and is currently aboard the USS George Washington for a tour of duty in the Mediterranean Sea. Brown was a 1992 graduate of William Byrd High School.
ARMY RESERVE PVT. WILLIAM W. BLESSARD, son of Linda M. Blessard of Salem, has graduated from basic military training at Fort Jackson, S.C. He is a 1993 graduate of Glenvar High School.
2nd LT. AARON R. CRAIG, son of Ralph W. and Eva T. Craig of Vinton, recently graduated from The Basic School. During the course at Marine Corps Combat Development Command in Quantico, newly commissioned officers are prepared for assignment to the Fleet Marine Force. He is a 1990 graduate of William Byrd High School and a 1995 graduate of Roanoke College.
SGT. 1st CLASS IRA M. ENTSMINGER JR., son of Josephine T. Baker of Roanoke, has retired from the U.S. Army after 20 years of service.
Entsminger is a 1976 graduate of William Fleming High School.
AIRMAN WILLIAM E. FARMER III, son of William E. and Rita B. Farmer of Salem, completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.
Farmer is a 1994 graduate of Salem High School.
ARMY PVT. SARAH L. FARMER, daughter of Freda A. O'Dell of Hiawasse and Truman G. Farmer Sr. of Salem, recently graduated from basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. She is a 1995 graduate of Pulaski County High School.
AIRMAN 1st CLASS BRIDGET L. WELCH, daughter of Joann M. Welch of Roanoke and Richard P. Welch of Eagle Rock, recently graduated from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. She is a 1993 graduate of Cave Spring High School.
LANCE CPL. MICHAEL J. PRATER, son of Ronnie G. Prater and Brenda S. Prater of Salem, recently was promoted to his present rank while serving with Headquarters and Service Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group in Okinawa, Japan. Prater is a 1994 graduate of Salem High School.
SGT. WESLEY L. SCHAFFER, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Schaffer of Roanoke, recently was promoted to his present rank while serving with the 4th Reconnaissance Battalion at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska. Schaffer is a 1988 graduate of Cave Spring High School.
MARINE LANCE CPL. ROBERT E. WILLIAMS, son of Millard I. and Margaret A. Williams of Roanoke, recently helped rescue an injured Japanese fireman from a crashed and burning vehicle outside Tokyo.
Williams is serving at the Marine Corps base in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. He is a 1993 graduate of Cave Spring High School and joined the Marine Corps in 1994.
LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Smith