Army Sgt. Oscar E. Rodrigues is returning to the U.S. after a deployment to the Iraqi Theater of Operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces and coalition forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Claudia M. Bone has graduated from the Vehicle and Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Apprentice Course at the Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, Calif.

The course is designed to train students to perform vehicle maintenance on military and commercial design special purpose vehicles. These vehicles include general, preventive and specific purpose, base maintenance, heavy construction vehicles, aircraft towing and service equipment vehicles, and vehicular equipment.

Army Pvt. Joshua R. Pulfrey has graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission and received instruction and training exercises in drill and ceremonies, Army history, core values and traditions, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, rifle marksmanship, weapons use, map reading and land navigation, foot marches, armed and unarmed combat, and field maneuvers and tactics.

Civilian Scott D. Britton, son of Cindy J. and Danny A. Britton of Whittington, recently enlisted in the U.S. Navy under the Delayed Entry Program at Navy Recruiting District, St. Louis.

The program allows recruits to enter the Navy and take up to one year to complete prior commitments such as high school.

A trip to Northern Illinois by a U.S. Army veteran resulted in an emotional tribute to a Benton man who died in the Vietnam War.

Joe Hare of Columbia, Ky., on Tuesday honored the memory of fellow Black Lions 28th U.S. Infantry member Kenneth W. Tate, who was killed in action on Sept. 6, 1967 — two days after his 21st birthday.

Hare and his wife, Pat, were joined by some of Tate’s family members and friends at his gravesite in the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Mine Man 3rd Class Thomas D. Goddard of the U.S. Navy has received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Army Capt. Jason W. Harvey participated in the first Black Knight 1000 competition during the Fourth of July weekend at a remote base in Iraq.

The endurance and strength competition was hosted by the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Forward Operating Base Shield, Iraq.

A Benton man is now serving in Iraq.

LCpl Todd E. Browning was deployed July 23 from Camp Lejeune, N.C., with the 3rd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, U.S. Marines Corps. The battalion carried more than 700 men into action in the Middle East.

Army National Guard Spec. Gawain Piper has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

Sarah Williams slept much better last night: Her son, Sgt. Jesse Williams, has returned safely from Afghanistan.

Sgt. Williams was among 94 soldiers from Company A of the 33rd Battalion of the 130th Infantry Illinois National Guard Unit based in West Frankfort who returned Tuesday afternoon to a patriotic welcome from an enthusiastic crowd lining Main Street.

“This is a pretty good feeling. I didn’t think there would be this big of a turnout,” Williams said.
His mother said she was “just so relieved” to have her son home.

Air Force Airman Travis W. Perryman graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

Tommy R. Galloway has been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army after successfully completing the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) program and graduating with a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Ill.

Air Force Airman Claudia M. Bone graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

Army Pfc. Brent J. Martin has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.

Army National Guard Pfc. Alicia M. Edwards is completing training to deploy to Afghanistan with the Illinois Army National Guard’s 33rd Infantry Brigade Team in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The brigade will be the backbone of Task Force Phoenix VIII and its mission of training and mentoring the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police. Thirty units in the brigade will mobilize for up to a year, with most of the time spent in Afghanistan.