Military news 04/21/03

Soldier serving with Rangers in Middle East

U.S. Army Spec. Matthew D. Herrmann is serving with the Army Rangers currently deployed in the Middle East as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Herrmann is the son of Dennis and Sue Herrmann of Creve Coeur and is married to the former Heather Hungerford of Savannah, Ga. He is the grandson of Elly Herrmann of Scottsdale, Ariz., and the late Arthur A. Herrmann, longtime residents of Cape Girardeau.

He is a 1996 graduate of Parkway North High School and a 2000 graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He received his Airborne and ranger training at Fort Benning, Ga.

U.S. Marine arrives in Kuwait for duty

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.

Sailor finishes course to be dental assistant

Navy dentalman apprentice Matthew L. Sikes, son of Nancy M. Johnson of Jackson and Gary L. Sikes of Greenville, S.C., recently completed the Basic Dental Assistant School.

During the course at Naval School of Health Sciences San Diego Detachment, Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita, Texas, students receive instruction in medical and dental fundamentals. Course studies include dental operatory equipment, intra-oral radiography, immediate life-saving procedures, sterilization and disinfection, preventive dentistry, oral examination and operative dentistry assistance. Emergency first aid and casualty care, along with receptionist and clerical duties are also taught.

Airman arrives for duty at North Dakota base

Air Force Airman 1st Class Kevin L. McKee Jr. has arrived for duty at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. McKee is a utilities systems apprentice assigned to the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron. He has one year of military service.

He is the son of Kevin L. McKee Sr. of Perks, Ill., and Beverly D. Held of Olive Branch, Ill. His wife, Kayla, is the daughter of Jeff Williams of Miller City, Ill., and Gayla Shaefer of Olive Branch.

He is a 2000 graduate of Egyptian High School, Olive Branch.

-- From staff reports