Military Life

Kenneth Hale wasn’t surprised when he was drafted at the age of 21. He was living in Kansas City and because he had a private pilot’s license, he got to enlist in the Air Force. He learned how to fly a glider, a bi-plane, twin-engine Cessna and the B-17.

Joseph Dorobek graduated from Naval Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill. He is the grandson of Mary Comer and great- grandson of Demp and Mildred Ashbrook, of Sedalia. He is currently training as a sonar technician in Groton, Conn.

Paul Bennett, George A. Whiteman Memorial Post 642 member, toured southern Missouri the first part of March with the American Legion’s national vice commander for Region 6 and the Missouri state commander. Over a four-day period, they traveled 1,300 miles and visited 25 posts. The annual membership tour was deemed a success.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2591 in Sedalia elected officers for 2013-2014 on April 15.

Willie Akau was surprised to learn he had a grand uncle who was a decorated World War II veteran. He didn’t hear about Gordon Chung-Hoon, who received the Navy Cross and the Silver Star, until years after he died.

On Sunday, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2591 hosted a program in honor of veterans who served in the War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Army Pvt. Chazz N. Newbill and Army National Guard Pvt. Coley R. Fonke have graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.

Navy Seamen Coyan J. Bidwell and Michael A. Kelley and Navy Seamen Recruits Brandon R. Roseburrough, Amanda J. Carmack and Robert A. Honn recently completed Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill.

The Sedalia 40 & 8 veterans’ organization is collecting valentines to be sent to veterans’ hospitals and veterans’ homes in Missouri.

American Legion Post 16 recently presented nursing scholarships to four students at State Fair Community College. Recipients were, from left, Melissa Bedwell, Becca Haston, Megan Salyer and Casey Landsberg. On the back row are George Fairfax, post commander; Dr. Brent Bates, vice president for education and student support service; Emmett Fairfax, trustee of Post 16; and Rhonda Hutton Gann, nursing instructor. Post 16 has been supporting the nursing program for several years and has awarded more than $20,000 in scholarships to date.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2591 will host a salute to veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan on Feb. 24 at 121 S. Ohio Ave. A ham and bean dinner will be from 1 to 4 p.m. with proceeds going to the Wounded Warriors project and the VFW veteran’s service officer program.

Alyssa Durrill, of Northwest High School, and Jesse Carroll, of Sacred Heart High School, were named the winners of the American Legion, Pettis County Oratorical Scholarship Contest.

The Missouri National Guard has scheduled a state-wide combatives tournament open to all state guardsmen for 9 a.m. Jan. 19 at Jason Gym on the campus of Lincoln University in Jefferson City. The event is free and open to the public. Final bouts are set to begin at approximately 2 p.m.

“‘Twas the month before Christmas 1990 and few were stirring on our side of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, for half of the personnel and KC-135 Strato-tankers of the 376th Strategic Wing had been deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Storm ...”

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS)

An Airman with the 509th Logistics Readiness Squadron was presented the Bronze Star for meritorious service at a ceremony here Nov. 20.

Allen Hawkins, of Sedalia, was one of more than 500 people who attended the Chosin Few Reunion of the Korean War Aug. 22-26 in San Antonio.  At the opening ceremony, all branches of service were recognized including the Royal Marines.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2591 recently announced the winners of the Patriot Pen and Voice of Democracy contests. Judges only identify entries by their number to ensure that the winning entry is selected on merit only.

Elaine and Michael Moore, of Urich, presented $500 to Melissa Wilson, left, director of recreation therapy, for the veterans at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg. The Moores are members of the Henry County Cattlemen’s Association, who braved cold, rainy weather to barbecue hamburgers and hot dogs for the veterans on Veterans Day.

Members of the West Central Missouri Veterans Association delivered two checks totaling $2,391.91 to the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg. Two hundred veterans reside there.

Paul Bennett, membership chairman of American Legion Post 642, announced the first of several membership appreciation dinners at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at the post.The menu will include mountain oysters and the meal is free. The only requirement is a 2013 paid dues card.

Russell Ulmer, an Army veteran of World War II from Sedalia, wore his original Army jacket to church in honor of Veterans Day on Nov. 11.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4195 in Knob Noster is seeking volunteers for its annual toy store that will be open on Dec. 8. People interested in helping may call the post at 660-563-6211.