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Bessemer’s VFW supports today’s wounded vets with a big donation
September 20, 2010 by Nicki Faulk
Printed in this weekend’s edition of The Birmingham News:
Over the years, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1762 in Bessemer has dwindled.
Twice-a-week bingo stopped in 2006. Enrollment has fallen to 90, and 89 of those are veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
Yet one thing hasn’t diminished — a dedication to helping other veterans in need.
Once a month the post does bingo night for veterans in a Tuscaloosa nursing home. Every patient wins coupons to buy sundries.
But next week Commander Paul Calhoun and Quartermaster James Mosier will make the post’s biggest donation ever.
The post will pay $50,000 for naming rights for a duplex being built at the Lakeshore Foundation campus. It’s one of 10 new residences that will offer free lodging for injured veterans and their families when they come to Lakeshore for free Lima Foxtrot programs.
In Lima Foxtrot, injured veterans learn to be active and independent through recreation or sport — despite blindness, amputation, paralysis or other severe injury.
Since 2006, about 800 military service members have gone through the program, but they stayed in dorms while family members had to stay elsewhere.
The new housing effort, dubbed Operation Lakeshore, will change that.
The entire family — including children — will live together on campus. Ground was broken on the $2.3 million project April 5, and the new residences, with their private, home-like atmosphere, will open on Veterans Day.
Calhoun, 80 years old and post commander for the past 18 years, had been looking for a deserving project. The retired U.S. Air Force technical sergeant knew that if the post ever has to close, remaining assets will go to the state VFW. Instead, he hoped to find a local charity to support with money the post has raised from bingo, investment and dues.
“A lot of our people were getting older,” Mosier said.
When Calhoun and Mosier heard about Operation Lakeshore, they invited Mike Mouron, president of Capstone Companies, his wife, Kathy, and veteran Noah Galloway to tell them more at a post meeting earlier this month.
Kathy Mouron was the one who came up with the idea of building the cottages as a charitable effort, which her husband leads. More than 90 companies have donated nearly $2 million in labor, materials and money.
Galloway, an Iraq veteran who lost one arm and one leg in a roadside bombing, did most of the speaking.
He told post members how much he appreciates Vietnam-era veterans, and said he regretted how they had been treated when they returned from the war. Several of the Bessemer veterans audibly said, “Thank you.”
He told them he signed up for the Army right after 9/11 and was in the first invasion of Iraq with the 101st Airborne “Screaming Eagles.” He told them that he re-upped for a second tour, during which his Humvee triggered a roadside bomb on a night patrol.
Galloway told the post how the cottages will serve injured veterans as they try to gain confidence through physical activities, and how much having families with them will help.
After the Mourons and Galloway left, the members of Post 1762 voted. The decision to make the gift was unanimous.
“This is going to be the largest donation the post has made anywhere,” said Mosier. “This donation is going to help veterans, and that’s what our job is.”
To help furnish the duplex, the post plans to donate photographs of veterans who were VFW members. Even as the older soldiers fade away, a plaque on the door and the historical photographs on the walls will be lasting tributes to Bessemer’s proud VFW post, and a memorial to its many wartime veterans.
In the news this weekend
August 11, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
The following announcements were printed in the Montgomery Advertiser and Times Daily:
Air Force Airman Aleisha Golson graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. She is the daughter of Murphy and Stella Golson, both of Prattville. Golson is a 2008 graduate of Autaugaville High School.
Congratulations, Aleisha!
Forrest C. Hull has been promoted to Army sergeant. Hull is the son of Bob and Jannah Bailey of Montgomery. He is a 2004 graduate of St. James High School and attended Auburn University before enlisting in the Army.
He is attached to the 1-25 Stryker Brigade, K-9 Division and is stationed at Ft. Wainwright, Alaska. Hull and his dog Flopper have been assisting the brigade in searching out bombs and hidden weapons during their deployment to Baq Qu Bah, Iraq. Hull will return in September from his second Iraq deployment.
Congratulations, Forrest!
Air Force Airman Shaun L. Norman graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Shannon Norman of Montgomery and Patrick Norman of Tallassee. Norman is a 2007 graduate of Tallassee High School.
Congratulations, Shaun!
Coast Guard Seaman Denver C. Moore, a 2009 graduate of Chapman Christian Academy, Millbrook, recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N.J.
Congratulations, Denver!
Emily T. Carl has graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Leader’s Training Course at Fort Knox, Ky. The cadet is a student at Florida State University, Tallahassee. Carl is the daughter of Col. John W. and Jennifer S. Carl of Montgomery.
Congratulations, Emily!
Air Force Airman Matthew S. Lathan graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Tracey and Shirley Lathan of Montgomery. Lathan is a 2005 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School, Montgomery.
Congratulations, Matthew!
Air Force Reserve Airman Amanda N. Harris graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. She is the daughter of Jeff Harris of Millbrook, and Peggy Smothers of Dahlonega, Ga. Harris is a 2008 graduate of Forsyth Central High School, Forsyth County, Ga.
Congratulations, Amanda!
Air Force Airman 1st Class Daniel O. Ochoa graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Nancy Ochoa and Oscar Ochoa, both of Florence. He graduated in 2004 from Bradshaw High School, Florence, and received a bachelor’s degree in 2008 from Faulkner University, Montgomery.
Congratulations, Daniel!
Army Pvt. Matthew H. Butler has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. He is the son of Sonya Wallace, of Lexington, and is a 2001 graduate of Lexington High School.
Congratulations, Matthew!
Department of the Army Civilian Joan Poma has received the Superior Civilian Service Award while serving as a member of the 402nd Army Field Support Brigade Headquarters at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The Superior Civilian Service Award is the third highest award presented to civilians, and is comparable to the military’s Meritorious Service Medal. She received the award for exceptionally meritorious performance of duty as an information technology supervisor from May 5, 2008 to April 17, 2009. She has 15 years of federal service. She is the sister of Beverly D. Waldran, of Rogersville, Ala.
Congratulations, Joan!
Army Pfc. Austin W. Grissom has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. He is a 2003 graduate of Lauderdale County High School, Rogersville.
Congratulations, Austin!
Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Phillip D. Brown graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Jackie Brown of Millbrook. Brown is a 1993 graduate of Stanhope Elmore High School.
Congratulations, Phillip!
Air Force Airman Jasmine D. Logan graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. She is the daughter of Sofia Griffith of Montgomery.
Congratulations, Jasmine!
Army Capt. Terry L. Joiner has arrived for duty in Richmond, Va. Joiner is a commander for Richmond Company, U.S. Army Recruiting Command. He is assigned to the Command’s Beckley Battalion. Joiner has served in the military for 14 years. He is the son of Delois Joiner Montgomery.
Joiner graduated in 1996 from G.W. Carver High School, Montgomery, and received a bachelor’s degree in 2003 from Morgan State University, Baltimore, Md. He earned a master’s degree in 2006 from Webster University, St. Louis, Mo.
Way to go, Terry!
Air Force Reserve Airman Michael R. Holmes graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Charlotte Gentry of Millbrook.
Congratulations, Michael!
Air Force Airman Derrick C. Franklin graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of David Franklin of Greensboro, and brother of David Franklin Jr. of Montgomery. Franklin is a 2006 graduate of Greensboro West High School.
Congratulations, Derrick!
Navy Seaman Apprentice Shericka L. Brantley, a 2008 graduate of Luverne High School, Luverne, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Congratulations, Shericka!
Navy Reserve Seaman Amanda Billups, a 1998 graduate of Holtville High School, Deatsville, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Congratulations, Amanda!
Army Pvt. Juan C. Sifuentez has graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. Sifuentez is the brother of Juan Sifuentez Jr., and Elisa Washburn, both of Millbrook.
Congratulations, Juan!
Army Pfc. Cassini Wiley has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. He is the son of Nora Wiley of Montgomery. Wiley is a 2004 graduate of Brantley High School.
Congratulations, Cassini!
Army Pvt. Jesse R. Richards has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consists of Basic Infantry Training and Advanced Individual Training. Richards is the son of Bert Richards of Prattville. The private is a 2007 graduate of Prattville High School.
Congratulations, Jesse!
Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Nicole L. Williams graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. She is the daughter of Haywood L. and Elizabeth S. Williams of Montgomery. Williams is a 2004 graduate of Taylor Road Academy High School.
Congratulations, Nicole!
Army National Guard Pvt. Wesley Gilbert has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consists of Basic Infantry Training and Advanced Individual Training. He earned distinction as an honor graduate. Gilbert is the son of Virginia Gilbert of Elmore.
Congratulations, Wesley!
In the news this weekend
June 8, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Printed in this weekend’s Tuscaloosa News:
Navy Seaman Shanna D. Grover, daughter of Carolyn L. Grover of Livingston, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Grover is a 2004 graduate of Livingston High School
Congratulations, Shanna!
Air Force Airman Tiffany N. Spencer graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. She is the daughter of Reginald Spencer of Tuscaloosa. The airman is a 2007 graduate of Northridge High School.
Congratulations, Tiffany!
Air Force Airman 1st Class Christopher G. Taylor graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Celeste Williams of Tuscaloosa.
Congratulations, Christopher!
Air Force Airman LaDarren M. Banks graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Banks is the son of Sandra Banks of Tuscaloosa and Sherwin Prior of Rochester Hills, Mich. The airman is a 2007 graduate of Central High School.
Congratulations, LaDarren!
Russell W. Stone, son of Opal and Wayne Stone, was promoted to command sergeant major at Camp Shelby, Miss., on June 1. He is married to the former Sherry Capps and has two daughters and one grandson. Command Sgt. Maj. Stone’s military and civilian education include all levels of the noncommissioned officer’s education system. He has an honorary doctorate of humanities, a bachelor’s degree of specialized training in military science and bachelor’s degree of specialized training in emergency disaster preparedness and response management, all from the National Consortium Staff College. Stone is the recipient of the Army Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal Fourth award, Army Achievement Medal third award, Good Conduct Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Ribbon second award, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Humanitarian Service award second award, and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medial second award.
Congratulations, Russell!
In the news this weekend
April 13, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Courtesy of the Tuscaloosa News:
Airman JaMarvin A. Wells has graduated from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Barbara and Wyman Spencer and the late Marvin E. Sealey of Ralph. He is a 2007 graduate of Central High School.
Congratulations, Airman Wells!
Mitchell E. Baygents has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Randy and Sharon Baygents of Tuscaloosa. He is a 2005 graduate of Northridge High School.
Congratulations, Mr. Baygents!
In the news this weekend
March 16, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Courtesy of the Montgomery Advertiser:
Air Force Airman Andrew Williams has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. He is the son of James Williams of Prattville.
The airman is a 2008 graduate of Prattville High School.
Congratulations, Airman Williams!
Air National Guard Airman 1st Class LaDarius J. Reed has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. Reed is the son of Allison Gandy and Terry Essex, both of Montgomery.
The airman graduated in 2008 from Jefferson Davis High School in Montgomery.
Congratulations, AFC Reed!
Air Force Airman Jeremiah L. Hand has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. He is the son of Tommy and Rose Hand of Pine Level.
The airman is a 2008 graduate of Marbury High School in Pine Level.
Congratulations, Airman Hand!
Air Force Airman Tommy J. Giles has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. He is the son of Kimberly and Tommy Giles of Deatsville.
The airman is a 2008 graduate of Holtville High School in Deatsville.
Congratulations, Airman Giles!
Coast Guard Seaman Corey S. Campbell recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N.J. Campbell is the son of Rita W. and Scott E. Campbell of Eclectic.
The seaman is a 2007 graduate of Elmore County High School in Eclectic.
Congratulations, Seaman Campbell!
Coast Guard Seaman Zackery B. Cooley recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N.J. Cooley is the son of Lisa R. and Vonzie E. Cooley of Montgomery.
Congratulations, Seaman Cooley!
Air National Guard Airman John W. Pitch ford has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. He is the grandson of Lamar Pitchford of Tallassee.
The airman is a 2007 graduate of Tallassee High School.
Congratulations, Airman Pitch!
In the news this weekend
February 22, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Courtesy of The Anniston Star:
Army Reserve Col. Roy A. Hall recently graduated from the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks in Carlisle, Pa. He is the son of Thomas D. Hall of Weaver. He graduated in 1980 from Anniston High School and received an associate degree in 1982 from Marion Military Institute. He received a bachelor’s degree in 1984 from the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa.
Congratulations, Col. Hall!
Air Force Staff Sgt. Shane Law was recently decorated with the Air Force Commendation Medal. He is the son of Larry and Connie Downey of Piedmont. He graduated in 1993 from Piedmont High School and received an associate degree in 2006 from the Community College of the Air Force in Montgomery.
Congratulations, Sgt. Law!
Air Force Airman 1st Class Nicholas W. Byars recently arrived for duty at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, N.M. He is the son of Christopher W. and Sherry D. Byars of Jacksonville. He graduated in 2007 from Jacksonville High School.
Congratulations, Airman 1st Class Byars!
Army Pvt. Jesse D. Harper recently graduated from the Land Combat Electrician Advanced Individual Training course at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. He is the son of Timothy L. and Karen D. Harper of Anniston.
Congratulations, Pvt. Harper!
Army Pfc. Corbett L. Futral was one of more than 300 Army soldiers who participated in the “Spirit of America 2008″ performance for the residents of Rochester, N.Y., and Worcester, Mass., on Sept. 12 and 13, respectively. Futral, an infantryman with two years of military service, is assigned to the 4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. He is the son of Harry Futral of Oxford and Shannon Moreira of Gulf Shores. The private is a 2004 graduate of Gulf Shores High School.
Congratulations, PFC Futral!
In the news this weekend
January 26, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
Courtesy of the Montgomery Advertiser:
Air Force Airman 1st Class Derrick T. Mooney graduated from the Utilities Systems Apprentice Course at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas.
Mooney is assigned to the 187th Fighter Wing in Montgomery. He is the son of Barbara Jiles of Montgomery. The airman is a 2006 graduate of Jefferson Davis High School.
Congratulations, Derrick!
Army Reserve Pfc. Heather R. Attkisson has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
She is the daughter of Margo Riesco of Prattville.
Congratulations, Heather!
Army Reserve Pfc. Dana M. Allen has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
She is the daughter of Jimmy and Anita Allen of Prattville.
Congratulations, Dana!
Army Reserve Pfc. Kendrena L. Harris has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
She is the daughter of Laronda Harris of Montgomery. Harris is a 2005 graduate of Gadsden High School.
Congratulations, Kendrena!
In the news this weekend
January 4, 2009 by Nicki Faulk
The Montgomery Advertiser had several announcements this weekend:
Army National Guard Pvt. James L. Lambert III has graduated from Basic Combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. Lambert is the son of B.J. Lambert of Montgomery.
The private is a 1996 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School.
Congratulations, James!
Air Force Airman 1st Class Daniel C. Betz has graduated from the Air Traffic Control Operations Apprentice Course at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Miss. Betz will be assigned to the 325th Operations Support Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Panama City, Fla.
He is the son of Steve T. Betz of Hope Hull.
Congratulations, Daniel!
Air Force Airman Jeremy C. Dauzat has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. Dauzat earned distinction as an honor graduate. He is the son of Craig and Annette Dauzat of Montgomery.
The airman is a 2007 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School.
Congratulations, Jeremy!
Air Force Airman David H. Patrick has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. Patrick is the son of Kim Patrick of Prattville.
In 2007, the airman graduated from Prattville High School.
Congratulations, David!
Air Force Airman Mark B. Stadlberger Jr. has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. Stadlberger earned distinction as an honor graduate. He is the son of Patricia Stadlberger of Prattville.
In 2007, the airman graduated from Prattville High School.
Congratulations, Mark!
Staff Sgt. Rodney Hall of Montgomery, a member of the 4-108th Chemical Battalion at Huntsville, graduated from the Army Basic Instructor Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
Congratulations, Rodney!
Army Pvt. Lawson W. McGlamery has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. McGlamery is a 2004 graduate of the Elmore County Adult Learning Center in Wetumpka.
Congratulations, Lawson!
More in the news this weekend
August 10, 2008 by Nicki Faulk
The Huntsville Times reports that a Scottsboro businessman established an account at Regions bank to help the family of Nick Bradley, a Scottsboro soldier seriously wounded in Afghanistan.
Bradley, 25, a staff sergeant in the Air Force’s 96th Wing (security forces), was injured by a roadside bomb last Sunday. He was flown Tuesday to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where his father-in-law, Scottsboro Police Chief Ralph Dawe, said he’s in stable condition.
Donations to the Nick Bradley Fund may be made at Regions Bank, located at 510 E. Laurel St. in Scottsboro. For more information, call the bank at 256-259-1516.
Michael J. Parham, son of Doretha Parham and Michael J. Johnson, both of Tuscaloosa, completed Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Parham is a 2008 graduate of Central High School.
Congratulations, Michael!
The Birmingham News reports an Alabama Guard initiative that is helping troops who return from war duty via the state’s Army Guard’s Yellow Ribbon reintegration program.
The Yellow Ribbon help included information about job opportunities and insurance and veterans benefits, plus activities and baby sitters for soldiers’ children. It also sought to give the soldiers and their loved ones a chance to discuss with chaplains and counselors what they face as they seek to resume the way of life they knew before deployment.
For more information, call 2nd Lt. Matthew Spivey at 334-558-4132.
Tuscaloosa native graduates from basic training
June 15, 2008 by Nicki Faulk
Per the Tuscaloosa News:
Air National Guard Airman Andre A. Callaway has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. He is the son of Carrie Callaway of Tuscaloosa. Callaway received an associate degree in 2006 from Trenholm State Technical College in Montgomery.
Congratulations, Andre!
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