Honoring Those Serving Our Country

May 11, 2008

Please send updates to news@newkirkherald.com Airman 1st Class Troy Smith Airman 1st Class Troy E. Smith is serving in the United States Air Force. Smith completed his basing training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. He then transferred to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, for technical training. Smith is now serving with the 5th Civil Engineering Squadron (ACC) at Minot AFB in North Dakota. He is the son of Michael and Linda Smith of Ponca City and grandparents are Dave and Velma Grose and Vivian Smith, all of Newkirk.   Pvt. Robert T. Willard Army Reserve Pvt. Robert T. Willard has graduated from the metal worker advanced individual training course at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, MD. The student was trained in all phases of welding including ferrous and nonferrous metals using oxyacetylene, electric, arc, and inert gas welding equipment. Class training included repairing, repainting, installing, and inspecting metal body components, radiators, fuel tanks, and modification of related items. The trainee also learned to repair hulls and accessories of Army watercraft. Willard's parents are Richard C. and Jennifer J. Willard, Newkirk. The soldier attended Newkirk High School, graduating in 2004.    PFC Joshua Grimes Pvt. First Class Joshua "Colt" Louis Grimes, son of Wes and Sheila Grimes of Ponca City recently completed 13 weeks of Basic Training at Marine Corps Recruit Despot in San Diego, CA. He received the Expert Badge Marksmanship Award which is the highest shooting honor and also received a tan belt. PFC Grimes is a 2001 graduate of Po Hi School. He attended Pioneer Area Vo Tech and Cowley County Community College. Grimes is the grandson of Louis and Betty Backhaus of Newkirk, Fred and Evelyn Grimes of Ponca City and Lora Kaechle of Ponca City.   PFC Matthew Spore Pvt. 1st Class Matthew Spore entered the US Marines following his graduation from Newkirk High School in 2002. He attended boot camp at San Diego, CA, and infantry training at Camp Pendleton. He was trained to be a field radio operator and has been deployed to Iraq. Kay County relatives include parents, David and Linda Spore, sisters, Lisa Hall and Sonya Spore, and grandparents Franklin and Ann Spore and Alma Cline. His mailing address is H&S Co. 3rd BN, 5th Mar. Comm., UIC 39749, FPO AP 96426-9746.   AA Kalyn Henderson Letters can be sent to AA Kalyn Henderson aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, CVN 75, Box 0075, FPO AE 09524-0075. Henderson graduated from high school in 2002, served in boot camp at Chicago, IL, and is now serving in the US Navy. She is the granddaughter of Katherine Backhaus.    Sgt. Donal Grose Sgt. Donal E. Grose is serving in the US Army in Iraq. The son of Stephen and Veda Grose, he may be reached at D Battery, 2-44 ADA, Unit #96189, APO AEO 9325-6189. His uncles are Bill and Dave Grose, and his aunt is Betty Gene Boyer.   LCPL Kevin Cain Lance Corporal Kevin Cain, a 2001 graduate of Newkirk High School, is currently serving in the U.S. Marine Corp. at Camp Pendleton, CA. Cards and letters may be sent to him at HQCO 1st Mar. Reg. 1st Mar. Div. RPAC, Box 555-402, Camp Pendleton, CA 92055-5402.   LCPL Kurtis Cain Lance Corporal Kurtis Cain is serving his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. in the war in Iraq. He is a 2001 graduate of Newkirk High School. Cards and letters may be sent to him at WPNS Co. 3rd BN, 7th Mar. Jav. Pit., UIC 399779, FPO AP 96426-9779.   Seaman Tracy Ratliff Tracy Ratliff graduated on Jan. 31, 2003 from the Navy Recruit Training Center in Great Lakes, IL, in the top 10 percent of her class of 787, promoting her from an E-1 to E-2. She was squad leader within her division. On Feb. 4, she shipped out to Monterey, CA. There she will be studying Chinese at the Defensive Language Institute beginning in August. Upon completing her studies, Ratliff will serve the Navy Intelligence as a linguist. Since arriving in Monterey, she has been promoted again and is currently ranked as E-3. Ratliff's family include her parents, Bill and Maribeth Ratliff, Peckham, and David and Theresa Walkup, Dallas, TX. Her grandparents are Ray and Marie Ratliff, Webb City; Bill and Katie Bliss, Peckham; Deanna Jewsbury, Blackwell; and Tom and Sheryl Ysbrand, Sallisaw.   Sgt. Donald "Alex" Hartley Sgt. Donald "Alex" Hartley is a seargent in the U.S. Army, currently serving in Ft. Huachuca, AZ. Hartley graduated from Newkirk High School in1998, and his parents are Doug and Kathie Hartley of Newkirk. He was a member of the 1995-96 State Academic Champions for Basketball, All District Lineman in football, and a member of the track team. Hartley is now at the Army Inteligence base in Ft. Huachuca attending computer school. He served two years at Ft. Lewis in Washington State, two years at Ft. Riley in Kansas before re-inlisting for five more years. He is with the Bravo, 305th Military Intelligence Battalion. Alex is married to Amaraye and has a daughter, Abbigale. Update July 19, 2005: Alex Hartley has been promoted to staff sergeant and is currently stationed at Fort Belvoir, VA.   Spc. Jared "Jed" Hartley Spc. Jared D. Hartley, 22, of Newkirk, Okla., died July 15, 2005 in Taji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. He was on his second tour of duty in Iraq, having returned there in March 2005.  Private 1st Class Jared "Jed" Hartley is serving in the U.S. Army, at Ft. Riley, KS. He graduated from Newkirk High School in 2002, and was a member of the football, basketball, and track teams. Hartley was also one of the founding members of Newkirk's Junior Main Street. Since enlisting in the Army, he is now a mechanic with the 3rd Brigade, 125th Forward Support Battalion, Headquarters Company, and is scheduled to leave for Kuwait in April. Letters may be sent to his parents, Doug and Kathie Hartley at 7750 North Traders Bend Road, Newkirk, OK 74647.   Senior Airman Crystal Leyva Senior Airman Crystal Leyva, daughter of Patsy and Lee Leyva of Newkirk, is serving in South Korea. Since 2002 she has served in the Air Force as a Finance Auditor. She was stationed at Presidio of Monterey, CA for 2 1/2 yrs but is now stationed at Kunsan AB, South Korea. For any letters or cards please send to, SrA Crystal Leyva, PSC 2 Box 1481, APO, AP, 96264.   Tech Sgt. Jeffrey Hasselbring Tech Sgt. Jeffrey Hasselbring graduated from Blackwell High School in 1982. His parents, Elmer and Martha Hasselbring, live in Newkirk. Jeffrey entered the Air Force in 1984. He has served in Germany, Desert Storm and Tinker Air Force Base. He is currently serving at Keesler AFB at Biloxi, MS. He and his wife, Tammy, have three children, Abigail, Elijah, and Anna. Mail may be sent to Tech Sgt. Jeffrey Hasselbring, 100 Polk, Biloxi, MS 39531.   Sgt. Tim Hasselbring Sgt. Tim Hasselbring, serving in the US Marine Corps, is the son of Elmer and Martha Hasselbring of Newkirk. He graduated from high school in 1993, and served in the Army before joining the Marines. He was serving at the Pentagon during the 9-11 terrorist attacks. He and his wife, Diane, have two children, Shawn and Nicolas. He may receive mail at 2770 A Quarters, Quantico, VA 22134 at the Quantico Marine Corps Base.   Lance Corporal Courtney Jenkins Lance Corporal Courtney Jenkins enlisted in the US Marine Corps in July 2000. He attended boot camp in MCRD (Marine Recruit Depot) San Diego, CA. His MSO or job title is Crash Fire Rescue. He is certified as Fire Fighter I and II, airport fire and rescue, and hazardous materials operations, and is a certified expert marksman with the M- 16 rifle and is trained in pistol, M-60 machine gun and other weapons used in military combat. His permanent duty station is at Cherry Point Naval Air Station in Havelock, NC, arriving there in May 2001. He is with Unit MWSS-27 1 at Bouge Air Field, which is a Harrier Jet training facility and is also used as a tactical facility for Navy, Army, and Marines to train in combat like missions. Jenkins deployed with his unit in late February to somewhere in Kuwait. He attended Newkirk Elementary School and is a graduate of Shidler High School in 2000. He would like to hear from all of his Newkirk friends while he is over seas. His address is LCPL C. Courtney Jenkins, MWSS 271/SectionDet A Unit 77111, FPOAE 09509-7111. Jenkins is the son of Kevin and Lanette Jenkins of Kaw City and the grandson of Jerold and Bonnie Jenkins, Newkirk.     Lt. Col. Randy Rule Lt. Col. Randy Rule, is currently serving in Iraq, with his last known wherabouts being in Basra. While there, Rule coordinated fire for the British troops as they fought to take over that city. The Iraq war is the fourth battle Rule has been in since joining the U.S.M.C. in 1981, having served in Grenada, Lebanon, and the Gulf War. He is the father of six kids and is the son of Gordon and the late Lonelle Rule. Randy was raised in the Kay County area and went to school in Ponca City.     CSM Jeff Meadows Command Sargeant Major Jeff Meadows is the brother of Tim Meadows of Newkirk and is serving in the Army, 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne. He is currently serving in Iraq. His rank is E-9. Mail can be sent to CSM Jeffrey S. Meadows, HSB 3-320 FA BN 96088, APO AE 09325-06088, Operation Enduring Freedom. E-mails may be sent to JEFFREY. Meadows @us.army.mil.    Sgt. Logan S. Colson Army Sgt. Logan S. Colson, a 2002 graduate of Newkirk, graduated from basic military combat training at Fort Sill, OK., with high honors. His duty station was the 18th Field Artillery Regiment Airborne in Fort Bragg, NC. Logan graduated Airborne school at Ft. Benning, GA. It consisted of two jumps with combat equipment and three "Hollywoods" (without equipment) all only 1,200 feet up. He said it was the funnest 40 seconds in his life. Logan is the son of Larry and Linnae Colson of Newkirk. Update Jan. 4, 2006 - Sgt. Colson is currently deployed to Iraq to FOB Speicher. He is still assigned to HHB 18th FAB, and attached to the 101st Air Assault Division in Iraq and deployed Sept. 6, 2005 for a 12-month tour. He was scheduled to return back home and leave the army in May 2006, but now will be delayed until his deployment is over. Upon leaving Ft.Bragg, NC, Sgt. Logan had completed 23 Airborne Operation Jumps, most of which were night jumps. In Iraq he works inside the Division Main building as a webpage and database administrator for the Artillery, Mortar, & Radar Brigades and Divisions stationed there. He also serves as a Fire Control Element that processes fire missions for artillery fires and rockets. He can be reached at this mailing address: SGT. Logan Colson,18th FAB, OIF 05-07, FOB Speicher, APO AE 09369. http://www.airbornelogan.com/Logan.html Update May 30, 2007 - Sgt. Colson returned from deployment July 30, 2006 and was honorably discharged from the United States Army Airborne Sept. 21, 2006. He is currently a student at University of Oklahoma majoring in computer engineering.    Pvt. Christopher R. Holden Marine Corps Pvt. Christopher R. Holden, son of Deborah T. and John E. Holden of Braman, OK, recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA, designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally. Holden and fellow recruits began their training at 5 a. m., by running three miles and performing calisthenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, Holden spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments which included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training. They performed close order drill and operated as a small infantry unit during field training. Holden is a 2000 graduate of Braman High School.   Sr. Airman Rachel Gibson Senior Airman E4 Rachel Gibson graduated from Bartlesville High School in 1997. She entered the Oklahoma Air National Guard in October 1998, and graduated from basic training in February 1999. She then entered Services Tech School, from which she graduated in March 1999 with honors. She has served two temporary duty calls; one to Kuwait in November and December of 1999, and one to Saudi Arabia from May to September of 2002, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, during which she received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. She will graduate from the University of Central Oklahoma on May 10 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish. Her parents are Michael and Sharon Gibson of Newkirk. Her brother and sister-in-law, Benjamin and Tonja, also reside in Newkirk.   Specialist Corbi Wathor Newkirk resident Specialist Corbi Wathor, in the Army Reserves, is currently serving in the Iraq war, stationed in Baghdad. Wathor is serving as a military police officer. He is a 1998 graduate of Newkirk High School, and was deployed in 2002 from January to November during operation Noble Eagle, guarding the National Security Agency in Maryland. Wathor is employed by the Kay County Sheriff's Department and is also a reserve deputy. Mail may be sent to him at: Spc. Corbi Wathor, CFLCC/800th MPBDE, 812th MP Co. 2nd Plt., APOAE 09366.    Sgt. Jesse Speiser Jesse Speiser joined the Marine Corps in his senior year on a deferred plan that allowed him to graduate from Newkirk High School in May 2000. Speiser left Newkirk in June of 2000 for basic training in San Diego. He graduated from basics in September 2000 and then went to school at Camp Pendleton, CA. for one year to study communications. Since September 2001 he has been stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC. In December 2002 he was deployed to Kuwait. He married Ginny Showmake, also a Newkirk graduate. He is the nephew of Dave and Lee Sears and the cousin of Paul Sears of Newkirk. Update: July 16, 2005 - Jesse Speiser is now on his 2nd enlistment in the United States Marine Corps. He has successfully completed five years. He is a Sergant E-5. He and his wife, Ginny, are currently stationed at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC. He had been deployed to Kuwait from December of 2002 to June of 2003. He is preparing to depart On the 24th MEU in early of next year, going to Iraq. He is currently detached with Headquarters Bn.   Warrant Officer Chad Trenary Chad Trenary is serving in the U.S. Army and is career military. Chad is married to Wendy Miller, daughter of Charles and Barbara Miller of Ponca City. Chad and Wendy have four children. Trenary currently serves as a medivac pilot in Iraq. His rank is Warrant Officer-2. After serving his country during the war, Chad will return to the states, to Ft. Rucker, AL where he will go to school to be a flight instructor, and then will go on to Korea. Chad is a dedicated husband, father, son and soldier. He is the son of Martin and Marie Trenary of Peckham. His address is CW2 Chad Trenary, 498th Med Co. (AA), ALI AI Salem Air Base, APO AE 09855.   Warrant Officer Justin Trenary Justin Trenary is serving in the U.S. Army and his rank is Warrant Officer W-2. Serving for the past 8 years, he is career military. Trenary is married to Darcey Blubaugh, daughter of Roger and Terry Blubaugh of Ponca City. Justin currently is in flight school at Ft. Rucker, AL, and was highlighted last year on the Outdoor Network, noted for his placement in the National Best Ranger Competition. He is the son of Martin and Marie Trenary of Peckham and his address is W-1 Justin Trenary, 152 N. Harris, Ft. Rucker, AL 36362.   Luis Vap MM1 Luis T. Vap is a petty officer in the Navy and currently based out of King Bay, GA, serving on a submarine, the USS Louisiana. Vap is a Newkirk High School graduate and the son of Ernest Vap. His address is MM1 Luis T. Vap, USS Louisiana, (SS BN 743) (Blue), 1050 USS Georgia Ave., Kings Bay, GA 31547.  CPO Vap Promoted In Georgia Ceremony Chief Petty Officer Luis Vap was one of five out of a class of 120 to receive his promotion to CPO on Sept. 16, 2003. Vap's family, including his wife, Keley, and father, Ernest Vap, and sister, Deanna (Vap) Pankratz, were present at Howard Gilman Memorial Park, GA, to participate in the 2003 Chief Petty Officer Pinning Ceremony. CPO Vap is 1978 graduate of Newkirk High School. Vap Retires From Navy Chief Machinist's Mate (Submarines) Luis T. Vap retired from the United States Navy on Tuesday, May 24 at the Naval Submarine Base located in Kings Bay, GA. He is a 1973 Newkirk High School graduate. The ceremony was attended by his father, Ernest Vap, sister Jane Ormand, and brother and sister-in-law Steve and Michelle Vap. Vap was presented a flag that was flown over the State Capitol by Gov. Brad Henry. He will establish a new home in Enterprise, AL and will be employed by Lowe's.   William Tucker William Eliot Tucker is currently serving in the Army, stationed in Korea. Tucker is a 1995 graduate of Newkirk High School. His wife, Stephanie, and sons, Brandin, age 5, and Bryson, 6 months, reside at Newkirk. His parents, Bob and Linda Tucker, live at Kaw City. Update March 7, 2007 - Currently serving in Bagdad, Iraq with the 245th Engineering Company.   Sgt. Ernest James Tousley Sgt. Ernest James Tousley has been in the Army for 14 years, having served in Desert Storm in 1991, and stationed in Kuwait, Bosnia, and Samolia. His first training was at Ft. Dixon in New Jersey. He is presently attached to the Transportation Unit out of Ft. Carson, CO, now serving at Camp Casey in South Korea. Tousley is the son of Helen Tousley and the grandson of Eleanor Ellinger of Arkansas City. He is a 1986 graduate of Arkansas City High School. Correspondence may be sent to him at: HHC 1-72 AR BN, Unit #15077, Box 685, APO AP 96224.   ET2 Lucas Case Miller ET2 (SW) Flint Lucas Case Miller is stationed in Puerto Rico at the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station. Miller's parents are Rick and Cristy Miller of Oklahoma City. His grandparents are Joe and Joanne Cary of Newkirk. His military address is PSC 1008, Box 3022, FPO AA 34051.   Casey Roe, Cora (Roe) Jones, Andrew Roe ROE SIBLINGS From left, Casey Roe, Cora (Roe) Jones, Andrew Roe. (Courtesy photo) Kevin and Nancy Roe of Newkirk have two sons and a daughter serving in the military. Casey B. Roe enlisted in the Army Reserves during his junior year of high school, Feb. 2001. He attended basic combat training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, the summer of 2001 and returned to Newkirk to complete high school. He attended drill with the 366th each month throughout his senior year. After graduating from Newkirk High School in May 2002, Casey returned to Ft. Leonard Wood to receive his advanced training as a military police officer. Upon completion of this training Casey became attached to the 366th MPCo based in Stillwater where he began the process to switch his status from Reserve to Active Army. He was injured in a fall just prior to his beginning his active Army duties and as a result of that injury must remain in the Reserves. When his recovery is complete he hopes to join his unit which has been activated with squads in Ft. Hood, TX, and in the Middle East. Meanwhile he continues to attend drill each month in Stillwater and began classes at NOC in Tonkawa. Andrew C. Roe enlisted in the Army in September 2002 as part of the Delayed Entry Program and was to begin basic combat training this month, a few weeks after graduating from NHS and after his 18th birthday in late May. He will become a military police officer after completing his training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, in October 2003. When his training is complete he looks forward to the chance to serve his country wherever he is needed. Cora E. (Roe) Jones enlisted in the Army Reserves in October of 1998 as a way to pay for college. After graduation from NHS, she completed basic combat training and advanced individual training at Ft. Jackson, SC. She then began attending OSU and attending drill one weekend a month with a postal unit in Tulsa. While attached to this unit she was able to spend two weeks active training in Germany and another two weeks at Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia. In June 2002, Cora moved to Pocatello, ID, to be near her husband-to-be, Brandon Jones. They were married March 14, 2003. Cora is currently attached to the 155th AG Co. (Postal) as a finance clerk. This unit is based in Salt Lake City, UT, and was called to active duty March 19, 2003. At that time, her unit had nearly completed their pre-deployment training and were scheduled to depart for the Middle East. Mail may be sent to Cora at SPC Cora E Jones,155th A G (Postal), Camp Arifjan, Kuwait APO AE 09366 Mail can be sent to PVT Roe, Andrew C. C Co 787th MP BN 2nd PLT, 185 Artillery Road,, Unit 37, Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473-8965 and they ask that a large numeral 2 be written on the back side of any envelope going to this address. Mail for Casey may be sent to108 N. Walnut, Newkirk, OK 74647. Update February 17, 2005 - Cora E. (Roe) Jones completed her tour of duty in Kuwait and returned home to her husband in Pocatello, ID last year. Andrew Roe is currently serving with the 202nd Military Police Company stationed at Kandahar Air Force Base in Afganistan. His mailing address is: Roe, Andrew C., 202nd MP CO, APO AE 09355.   SGT Andy Killingsworth Sgt. Andy Killingsworth went through basic training January, 2002 at Ft. Leonard Wood and AIT at Ft. Gordon. He was with the military intelligence stationed at Ft. Gordon, GA. Killingsworth is the son of Mel and Debbie Cain, Ponca City, and the grandson of Lucille Wathor, Ponca City. Update: January 2007 - Killingsworth was promoted to sergeant and is now stationed in Okinawa, Japan. His mailing address is: SGT Andy Killingsworth, 58th SIG BN 333rd SIG CO, Unit 35152, Fort Buckner, Okinawa, Japan, APO AP 96376. Email can be sent to: andy.killingsworth@us.army.mil   PFC Brian Killingsworth PFC Brian Killingsworth went to basic training February, 2002 at Ft. Jackson and AIT at Ft. Sill. He is a missile launcher stationed at Ft. Sill now serving in Iraq as part of Team Proud Rockets with the 17th BDE. Killingsworth is the son of Mel and Debbie Cain, Ponca City, and the grandson of Lucille Wathor, Ponca City. His address is PFC Killingsworth, Brian, A/6-27 FA, Unit #91416, APO AE 09302-1416 Update: June 16, 2004 - Killingsworth is back home from Iraq after eight months. He's stationed at Ft. Sill, OK.   Senior Airman Bob Tull Senior Airman Bob Tull was stationed at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, TX, but was scheduled to head overseas last week. Since being at Dyess, Tull has trained at Texas A&M for licenses in surface water treatment, water distribution, and an effluent water distribution. He was also licensed as an asbestos abatement worker, supervisor, and project manager. Tull has also dealt with many fire suppression systems and back flow preventors. He attended Silver Flag at Tynall Air Force Base in Florida, where he was trained in bare base construction and reconstitution along with developing skills in reverse osmosis water purification. He is the son of Robert Tull and Etta and Tony Gelino, all of Newkirk. Grandparents are Wilma Tull of Newkirk, and Henry and Betty Pendergraft of Blackwell. He is a 2000 graduate of Newkirk High School. His address is SrA Bob L. Tull, 380th ECES/CEOIU APO/AE 09853   Sgt. Derek Voorhis Sgt. Derek Voorhis is serving in the U.S. Army as a special agent in the counter-intelligence division. He is the son of Roger and Jane Voorhis of Newkirk. Derek is currently serving in Yongsan, South Korea, where he has been for the last 15 months. In August, he will be stationed in St. Lewis, WA. Update: Sept. 27, 2004 - Now serving with 209th Military Intelligence Company in Iraq. Voorhis has been in Iraq since November 2003, having been promoted to sargeant. He is expected to leave Iraq in October 2004 and return to Fort Lewis, WA.   Newkirk Sailor Participates In 105th Anniversary Celebration Of Navy Hospital Corps Newkirk's Jeramy D. Sawyers and the Sailors at Balboa Naval Medical Center recently observed the 105th anniversary of the Navy Hospital Corps. The Navy's Hospital Corps is the only enlisted corps in the U.S. Navy. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Sawyers, the 23-year-old son of Bonnie Sawyers of Newkirk and David Sawyers of Ponca City, is a hospital corpsman at Naval Medical Center San Diego. "I make patient surveys and pass them around the hospital. Then analyze the customer satisfaction outcomes," Sawyers said. The Navy Hospital Corps was established June 17, 1898. A proud heritage of heroism and patriotism is found amongst the ranks of Hospital Corpsman everywhere. Sawyers is proud to be part of such a long-standing tradition of excellence. "It's cool that the Hospital Corps has been around for so long and that I'm part of it," Sawyers, a four-year Navy veteran, said. Being part of a highly skilled field, Sawyers has been able to grow both personally and professionally. "I learned that the world isn't everything you see everyday," Sawyers said. U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsmen serve aboard all ships in the U.S. Navy, air squadrons, shore facilities such as hospitals and clinics, Navy Seal Teams, as well as with every U.S. Marine Corps unit in the world. As the Hospital Corps continues to provide medical care wherever there are Sailors and Marines, Sawyers will be part of 100 years of tradition, valor and sacrifice.    Jacob Engle Jacob Engle is currently serving in Iraq with the 173rd Airborne, 1/508th, Charlie company. He is the grandson of Leonard I. Engle and the late Louise Engle of Newkirk, and the son of Leonard (Jr.) and Ruth Engle, Ponca City. Jacob has been serving in Iraq in and around Mosul and Tikrit.   PFC Shelley Daniels PFC Shelley Daniels, graduate of Blackwell High School, was seriously injured recently (October 2003) in Iraq when her humvee was attacked. After being treated at Bahgdad she was to be transferred to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. She was to undergo multiple surgeries and the U.S. Army had requested the presence of her parents during this difficult time. The Red Cross is assisting with lodging. Shelly's recuperation will be lengthy and her family will need financial assistance to be able to be with her during this period. The Cherokee Strip Chapter of the American Red Cross is accepting donations to help the family with expenses. Donations may be mailed to the American Red Cross, 1313 W. Furguson, Blackwell, OK 74631. Donors are asked to write Shelley Daniels at the bottom of the check to designate their donation. All designated donations will be strictly honored. For more information please call 580-363-1738 or 405-880-2476. Update: December 17, 2003 - Daniels received a special senate citation from Sen. David Myers, R-Ponca City, and Rep. Dale DeWitt, R-Braman, during a ceremony at the American Red Cross Cherokee Strip Chapter headquarters in her hometown of Blackwell. In October, Daniels and two other members of her U.S. Army unit were on patrol in Baghdad when they were injured during a rocket attack on their Humvee. Daniels received wounds in her left shoulder and collarbone, suffered a collapsed lung and was temporarily paralyzed. The two Northern Oklahoma lawmakers presented Daniels and her family members with the citation, which featured the "American's Creed" by William Tyler Page. The document also cited Daniels for "faithfully serving her country and upholding the American's Creed with great personal sacrifice." Daniels' parents are Joe and Cathy Pendleton.   Private First Class Ross W. Sproul United States Marine Corps Private First Class Ross W. Sproul, son of Bill and Peggy Sproul of Springdale, KS, and grandson of Kathryn Brandon, Newkirk, recently completed 13 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, designed to challenge new marine recruits both physically and mentally. In addition to the physical conditioning program, PFC Sproul spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments which included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand to hand combat and assorted weapons training. He earned the Expert Badge Marksmanship Award, which is the highest shooting honor and is also a Tan Belt in the Marine Corp Martial Arts Program. PFC Sproul and other recruits also received instruction on the Marine Corps' core values - honor, courage, and commitment, and what the Marine Corps motto Semper Fidelis means in guiding personal and professional conduct. PFC Sproul is a 2002 graduate of McLouth High School and Kaw Area Technical School and a Feb. 27 graduate of the Basic Marine Graduation Ceremony.   Capt. Richard L. Testerman Richard L. Testerman, son of Richard and Susie Testerman of Newkirk, was promoted to the rank of captain in the U.S. Army on March 1, 2005 at Ft. Irwin, CA. Testerman is a material officer for the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Ft. Irwin. He serves as an observer-controller for OPFOR maneuvers, training troops to go to Afghanistan and Iraq. Less than a year ago, Testerman returned from Korea after a tour of duty there. His next assignment will be the Captains Career Course at Ft. Benning, GA. Testerman is a 1995 graduate of Newkirk High School and has a BA in history from NWOSU.   Pvt. Jacob Wesley Grimes Private Jacob Wesley Grimes, son of Wes and Sheila Grimes of Ponca City has just completed 13 weeks of Basic Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, CA. where he received a tan belt. Grimes is a 2004 graduate of Ponca City High School. Grimes is the grandson of Louis and Betty Backhaus of Newkirk, Fred and Evelyn Grimes of Ponca City and Lora Kaechle of Ponca City.    Seaman Daniel Bondoc Navy Seaman Daniel Bondoc, a 2003 graduate of Newkirk High School, recently departed on a routine scheduled deployment in support of the global war while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, homeported in Bremerton, WA. Prior to deploying, Bondoc and more than 6,500 of his fellow shipmates of the USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (CSG), successfully completed a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX). The JTFEX is the final step in preparing the strike group for deployment, and is designed to test its ability to operate in a complex, hostile environment with other U.S. and coalition forces. Carriers like the Carl Vinson are deployed throughout the world to maintain U.S. presence and provide rapid response in times of crisis. They serve as a highly visible deterrent to would-be aggressors, and are equipped with the most versatile and powerful weapons and aircraft available. Bondoc joined the Navy in April 2004. Update: April 21, 2005 - Navy Airman Apprentice Daniel Bondoc is currently in the middle of a routine scheduled deployment while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, homeported in Bremerton, WA. Bondoc and more than 7, 600 of his shipmates of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (CSG), deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of the global war. Update: July 6, 2005 - Navy Airman Daniel Bondoc, Jr, a 2003 graduate of Newkirk High School, made a port visit to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, July 6 during a scheduled deployment, while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, homeported in Bremerton, WA.   S.A. Nikita D. Bohannon Seaman Apprentice Nikita D. Bohannon, daughter of Anita J. and Alford K. Bohannon of Newkirk, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL. During the eight-week program, Bohannon completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness. The capstone event of boot camp is "Battle Stations." This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. "Battle Stations" is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Its distinct Navy flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a sailor. Bohannon is a 2004 graduate of Newkirk High School.    Pvt. Valerie B. Lobsinger Army Reserve Pvt. Valerie B. Lobsinger has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, Lobsinger 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. Lobsinger is the daughter of Starla D. Lobsinger of Newkirk. She is a 2003 graduate of Newkirk High School.   Airman Kyle T. Colclasure Air Force Airman Kyle T. Colclasure has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. Colclasure is the son of Andy Colclasure of Newkirk, and Eva Colclasure of Sedan, KS. He is a 2001 graduate of Sedan High School.   Staff Sgt. Nathan L. Landers Staff Sgt. Nathan L. Landers is serving in Afganistan. He is a 1998 graduate of Newkirk High School. In September 1998, he joined the US Army to become a MP. He serves as a protective service agent. Parents are Amos and Pat Landers, Ponca City. If anyone would like to write Nathan, his address in Afganistan is: Landers, Nathan, CJTF76 HSC [SGS], Bagram Airfield, Apo Ae 09354   Petty Off. 3rd Class Stephanie M. Warren Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephanie M. Warren, whose husband, Charles, is the son of Beverly Huffman of Newkirk, recently graduated from the Basic Hospital Corps School at Naval Hospital Corps School, Great Lakes, IL. During the 14-week course, Warren learned a wide range of medical procedures used to provide first aid and assist Navy doctors and nurses. Warren also received an introductory instruction for service in a variety of medical environments, from fleet hospitals and shipboard medical departments to fleet Marine forces and medical administration offices. Warren's newly acquired skills and knowledge will enable her to help provide quality health care to Navy and Marine Corps personnel and their families. Warren's first assignment after school will involve direct patient care, but with her training, Warren can work in several areas, including first aid and assisting with minor surgery, pharmacy and laboratory analysis, patient transportation, and food service inspections.   Sgt. James Mowdy Spc. James Mowdy is currently serving in Iraq about 40 miles from the Syrian border near Tall Afar. He is assigned to Ft. Carson, CO, Tomahawk Troop 4th Squadron 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment supporting the 101st Combat Operation in Iraq. He received basic training at Ft. Jackson, AIT Training, Co. B 1st Battalion 222nd Aviation Regiment, Fort Eustis, VA. He works on armament, electronics and avionics on the AH -64D Long Bow Apache helicopters. He was deployed to Iraq in mid-February 2005 and sailed aboard a merchant marine ship, with helicopters aboard, with stops in Greece and Spain prior to arriving in Kuwait and Iraq in mid-March. He will be deployed until March 2006. A 2002 graduate of Newkirk High School, Mowdy received both the Rookie of the Year Football Award and the Co-Rookie Baseball Award in 1999 and the MVP Football Award for Offensive Player in 2001. He attended Pioneer Technology Center for training as a machinist while in high school and graduated from Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City in 2003 with an associate degree of applied science. His hobbies include sports, mud runs, and four-wheeling. James is the son of Mary J. Mowdy of Newkirk and the late Michael John Mowdy, grandson of Betty J. Mowdy and the late John J. Mowdy and the late Charles and Frances Wayman of Ponca City. He is the brother of John Michael Mowdy (NHS class of 2000) of Newkirk, and Marty Jay Hunsucker of Ponca City. Update Jan. 19, 2007 - Sgt James Mowdy was promoted to sergeant in October 2006. He is currently stationed in Illesheim, Germany serving with the 412th Aviation Support Battalion. His unit is scheduled to deploy to Iraq later this year for approximately one year. He is married to Brandi Maupin and they have one daughter, Lauren Maupin. Their mailing address is: Sgt. James Mowdy, 412th ASB AV. CMR 416, Box 1426, APO, AE 09140.   Airman 1st Class Ryan K. Bohannon Air Force Reserve Airman First Class Ryan K. Bohannon has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission organization, military customs and courtesies; performed drill, ceremony marches; rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, special training in human relations and physical training, in which he ran his mile and a half in seven minutes and 45 seconds coming first overall out of over 600 men. Ryan Bohannon is the son of Alford K. and Anita J. Bohannon, father to Shayelin, brother of Alysia and Seaman Apprentice Nikita Bohannon, grandson of Christine and Gordon Wright of Alsager, England, and Francis and Charles Bohannon of Newkirk. Airman Bohannon is a 2005 graduate of Newkirk High School.    Staff Sgt. Terry Schaefer Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Terry Schaefer has arrived in Iraq (August 2006) at a forward operating base to support the mission of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The service member will provide security in the theater of operations for the next 12 months. Army National Guard and some Reserve troops from various states and units have deployed to augment or replace troops serving in Iraq. Schaefer, a master driver with 22 years of military service, is the son of Butch and Debbie Schaefer of Braman, OK.

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