Area men complete military basic training

• Pfc. Taylor M. Almond recently graduated from Army basic combat and combat engineer training at Fort Leonard Wood. Almond is the son of Todd Almond of Jackson and Jill Randall of Herculaneum, Mo. He is a graduate of Jackson High School. He attributed his enlistment to family inspiration and the tragedy on Sept. 11, 2001. Almond will serve as a member of the Missouri Army National Guard's 735th Quartermaster Company in Jackson.

* Army Pvt. Alexander A. Muth graduated from basic combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. Muth is the son of Markus Bazzanella of Perryville and Tammy Ludwig of Salem, Mo. He is a 2005 graduate of Jackson High School.

* Army Reserve Pvt. Jeremy C. Price graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Price is the son of Marsha Price of Tamms, Ill. He is a 2004 graduate of a high school program at Golconda Job Corps, Ill.