Military digest 05/05/03

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Heartland Care and Rehab Center resident William Scott received military honors for his service in World War II from Capt. Craig Gatzemeyer and Sgt. Daniel Heberlie of the 1140th Division of the Missouri Army National Guard recently.Residents at rehab center receive honors

Capt. Craig Gatzemeyer and Sgt. Daniel Heberlie of the 1140th Division of the Missouri Army National Guard visited William A. Scott at Heartland Care and Rehab Center to present World War II honors. Scott served with Fighter Squadron 51 in the U.S. Navy during WWII.

Scott received letters of recognition from Gov. Bob Holden and Brig. Gen. Dennis Shull, Missouri Army National Guard. He also received a World War II medal, medallion and plaque.

Also receiving World War II honors were residents Glen Hood, for his service in the Army; and Geneva Roy on behalf of her late husband, Armor Roy, who served in the U.S. Navy.

Anna man promoted to master sergeant

Marine Corps Master Sgt. Charles E. Frick, son of Carol and Sidney Frick of Anna, Ill., recently was promoted to his current rank while serving with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Air Group 39, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Frick was promoted based on sustained superior job performance and proficiency in his designated specialty.

Frick is a 1982 graduate of Anna Jonesboro Community High School of Anna, Ill. and joined the Marine Corps in April 1984.

Scott City man lands in Kuwait with Marines

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Joe C. Hester, son of Stacia D. and Cliff C. Hester of Scott City, recently landed on the shore of Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom while assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, based in Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Hester is a 2000 graduate of Jacksonville High School of Jacksonville, Ark., and joined the Marine Corps in July 2000.

Jackson man finishes leadership course

Sgt. Ryan N. Tomsu of Jackson has completed the Primary Leadership Development course conducted by the 8th U.S. Army Wightman Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Camp Jackson, Republic of Korea, on April 16.

Tomsu earned the right to be on the Commandant's List, available only to the top 20 percent of the class. It is based on overall grade-point average.

Tomsu is a 2000 graduate of Jackson High School and the son of John and Susan Tomsu of Jackson.

Jackson sailor deployed on submarine Pasadena

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen M. Zschille of Jackson recently left for a six-month deployment on board USS Pasadena. The Los Angeles-class attack submarine left its homeport of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to conduct missions in support of the war on terrorism and other contingencies around the world.

Zschille, 22, is the son of Debi Brown of Jackson and Stephen M. Zschille of Sedgewickville, Mo.; grandson of Herman and Joyce Zschille and Hinkle and Carolyn Ridings, all of Jackson; Helen and Ivan Underwood of Cape Girardeau; and stepgrandson of Wilford and Juanita Brown of Marble Hill, Mo. He is a sonar technician aboard the Pasadena.

"I work on and operate the underwater sonar equipment," said Zschille, a 1999 Jackson High School graduate. "I am a part of something big that will be around for a long time."

He has been in the Navy three years.

Ex-squadron members sought for reunion

A reunion for former members of the 351st and 352nd Missile Security Squadrons will be held June 7 at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.

Activities will include a tour of the B-2 stealth bomber, AH-64A Apache helicopter and Oscar-1 launch control facility. A barbecue at the Base Lake will be followed by a reception at the Mission End Club.

In addition, a special memorial ceremony will be held for the members of the helicopter crash of June 11, 1982. Former members interested in attending can contact reunion coordinator Jimmy L. Gockel at 651-5231 or e-mail jimmygockel@ yahoo.com.

-- From staff reports