Military digest 07/19/04

The Gateway Area Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society recently. With their help, the Regional Office has been able to expand

and enhance programs and services offered in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois. Pictured front, from left, are Cathy Harre, Alice Quigley, Carla Quigley, Austin Birk, Laura Quigley, Robin White, Roy White, Teresa Birk; back, from left, Linda Minner, Paul Harre, Rep. Scott Lipke, John Hrabar, Shirley Hrabar, Kaye Hooper, Victoria Pingel, Sharon Snell,

Bernice Koerber, Paul Koerber, Eric Birk, Alice Quigley, Randy Quigley For more information regarding volunteer opportunities in the

area, call Teresa Birk at 1-800-FIGHT MS.

Koehler to begin training on rocket launch system

Pvt. Douglas L. Koehler II, son of Terry and Linda Weinrich of Marble Hill, Mo., and Doug and Bev Koehler of Jackson, completed basic training for the U.S. Army at Fort Jackson, S.C., recently, followed by advanced individual training at Fort Sill, Okla. Koehler will report back Tuesday to begin specialized training on the multiple launch rocket system. Koehler is the grandson of Gusta Koehler and the late Charles "Bud" Koehler of Jackson, and the late Will and Nora Brown of Marble Hill.

Ruebel completes National Guard training

Pvt. Lance Ruebel, son of Lee and LaDonna Ruebel of Cape Gir-ardeau, completed basic and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood recently. Ruebel is a 2002 Cape Girardeau Central High School graduate who attended Mineral Area College before joining the National Guard. He is a combat engineer with the 1140th Engineer Battalion.

Marine Corps private sent to Pacific

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Brandy L. Guerrero recently deployed with the Belleau Wood Expeditionary Strike Group to the Western Pacific in support of the war on terrorism. Guerrero is a 2002 graduate of Perryville High School in Perryville, Mo. She is the daughter of Kathleen Allen of Perryville. Guerrero joined the Marine Corps in September 2002.

Seaman taking part in summer exercise

Navy Seaman David J. Lasters, son of Charles R. Lasters of Sikeston, Mo., is participating in Summer Pulse, the Navy's first exercise of its new operational construct, the Fleet Response Plan. Lasters is serving on the guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley. He is a 2002 graduate of Sikeston Senior High School. He joined the Navy in August 2002.

-- From staff reports