CAPE MAN PROMOTED BY NAVAL RESERVE

A Cape Girardeau native has been promoted to Captain in the Naval Reserve. Commander Charles L. Westrich is currently serving in the Persian Gulf aboard the USS LaSalle. He is one of only 460 in the nation to receive this promotion last year.

Westrich was recalled to active duty from his current duty as commanding officer of a repair surface readiness unit located at the Naval Reserve Readiness Center in St. Louis. In that capacity, he is responsible for the personnel administration and training readiness for mobilization in the event of national emergency or individual recall. He commands 61 reservists specializing in shipboard repair and repair of battle damage.

He has performed active duty for training aboard fast frigates, a destroyer, and a nuclear powered cruiser at sea during major exercises in the Atlantic and Pacific as well as in the Hawaiian and Caribbean operating areas. Additionally, he has served on the staff of Naval Reserve Readiness Command Region 18 in Olathe, Kan. and attended the National Defense University, Newport, R.I., and the Naval War College in Washington D.C.

He resides in Cape Girardeau with his wife, Lynn. In his civilian career, he is employed as a department manager at Drury Company engaged in construction subcontracting.