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HomeNewsArchivesMILITARY NEWS OF VIRGIN ISLANDERS - AUGUST 2003

MILITARY NEWS OF VIRGIN ISLANDERS – AUGUST 2003

Editor's note: The Source newspapers publish available information about Virgin Islanders who are serving their country in the military. For earlier notices, see separate files in this section.
Please e-mail information about yourself or any family member serving in these regards to source@viaccess.net. Provide the individual's full name, age, rank, service branch or organization, home island, immediate family members in the Virgin Islands, brief description of education and training, and, if possible, a description of where the person is based or has been deployed. Please limit the information to about 200 words. We welcome photos.
Daren D. Byrd / St. Croix
Aug. 28, 2003 (Army and Air Force News) — Daren D. Byrd, a 2000 graduate of Central High School, has graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) National Advanced Leadership Camp at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash.
The camp provides the best possible professional training and evaluation for all cadets in aspects of camp life, administration and logistical support. Although continued military training and leadership development is included in the curriculum, the primary focus at camp is to develop and evaluate each cadet's officer potential. The cadet command assesses each cadet's performance and progress in officer traits, qualities and professionalism while at camp.
Byrd is the son of Patrick E. and Janet C. Byrd of Barren Spot, St. Croix.
He is currently a student at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Johnny A. Burke / St. Croix
Aug. 26, 2003 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) — Army Sgt. 1st Class Johnny A. Burke has retired from the U.S. Army after 29 years of military service.
Burke has also been decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal. The medal is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who distinguish themselves by either outstanding achievement or meritorious service to the United States in non-combat situations.
This is his second award of the medal.
Prior to retiring, Burke was a transportation motor pool operations sergeant assigned to the 20th Support Group, Camp Henry, Taegu, South Korea.
He is the son of Dolorita M. Burke of Watergut Homes, and Almeade D. Burke of Estate Anna's Hope, both of Christiansted, St. Croix.
Army Pvt. David Ferrance / St. Thomas
Aug. 19, 2003 (Army & Air Force News) — Army Pvt. David A. Ferrance has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Knox, Ky.
During the nine-week training, the trainee received instruction in drill and ceremony, weapons, rifle marksmanship and bayonet training, chemical warfare, field training and tactical exercises, armed and unarmed combat, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, traditions, and core values.
Ferrance is the son of Brenda P. Samuel and Irose P. Chalon of Anna's Retreat, St. Thomas.
Army Sgt. Kristin S. Ellis / St. Thomas

Aug. 16, 2003 (from an e-mail submission) — Army Sgt. Kristin Ellis, a 1991 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, has been deployed overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom & Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving U.S. and coalition forces efforts to disarm and end the current Iraqi regime and eliminate its weapons of mass destruction, weapons capabilities and delivery systems, and use of chemical and biological agents. The focus of the mission is to liberate the Iraqi people, preserve Iraq as a unified state, keep its territorial integrity intact, and help the Iraqi people begin the process of economic and political reconstruction.
Sgt. Ellis is normally assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division, 3rd Brigade 2nd-69th Armor Battalion at Ft. Benning, Ga. He is the Environmental Hazardous Materials Manager, NCOIC, with ten years of military service.
Kristin is the son of Linda Herbert and the grandson of Valina Maynard of St. Croix and the late Clyde "Buggins" Maynard of St. Croix.
Navy Seaman Gideon Jones / St. Croix
Aug. 14, 2003 (Fleet News) — Navy Seaman Gideon J. Jones, son of Gordon J.
Jones of Christiansted, serving aboard the Norfolk, Va.,-based destroyer USS Stump, recently participated in the seizure of $50 million worth of cocaine from a Colombian-flagged fishing vessel while conducting counter-drug operations in the Pacific Ocean.
The Visit, Board, Search and Seizure team aboard Jones' ship teamed up with the U.S. Coast Guard's Law Enforcement Detachment 107 to board the vessel. During the inspection, a hidden compartment containing more than 3,500 pounds of raw cocaine was discovered. Sailors from Jones' ship swiftly took control of the vessel and its crew and escorted them to the proper authorities.
Jones' unit and its embarked Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light 42 detachment departed their homeports of Norfolk and Mayport, Fla., June 2 for a routine six-month deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command area of responsibility, which includes the Caribbean Sea, Eastern Pacific and Southern Atlantic.
Air Force Airman 1st Class Ellis Christian Jr. / St. Thomas
Aug. 14, 2003 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) — Air Force Airman 1st Class Ellis Christian Jr., a 1999 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
The son of Ellis and Judith Christian of St. Thomas, received a bachelor's degree in 2002 from Florida Institute Technology, Melbourne.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Nadia Jeder / St. Croix
Aug. 13, 2003 (Fleet News) — Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Nadia E. Jeder, daughter of Evette and Leroy Osborne of Christiansted, recently reported for duty at Naval Hospital, Jacksonville, Fla.
Jeder is a 1994 graduate of Monmouth Regional High School of Tinton Falls, N. J. She joined the Navy in May 1996.
NAVY Seaman Recruit Shayla Collingwood / St. Croix
August 12, 2003 (Fleet News) — Navy Seaman Recruit Shayla A. Collingwood, granddaughter of Joan E. Roberts of Frederiksted, St. Croix, recently graduated from the Basic Hospital Corps School at Naval Hospital Corps School, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the 14-week course, Collingwood learned a wide range of medical procedures used to provide first aid and assist Navy doctors and nurses. Collingwood also received an introductory instruction for service in a variety of medical environments, from fleet hospitals and shipboard medical departments to fleet Marine forces and medical administration offices.
Graduates' newly acquired skills and knowledge will enable them to help provide quality health care to Navy and Marine Corps personnel and their families. Collingwood's first assignment after school will involve direct patient care, but with her training, Collingwood can work in several areas, including first aid and assisting with minor surgery, pharmacy and laboratory analysis, patient transportation, and food service inspections.
Collingwood is a 2002 graduate of Rincon High School of Tucson, Ariz. She joined the Navy in January 2003.
Navy Midshipman Llewellyn Challenger Jr.
Aug. 5, 2003 (Fleet News) — Navy Midshipman Llewellyn E. Challenger Jr., son of Audrey and Llewellyn E. Challenger of St. Thomas, was recently inducted into the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and will begin six weeks of Plebe Summer at the academy.
This demanding, fast-paced orientation
begins four years of preparation for commissioning as Naval or Marine Corps officers. During Plebe Summer, Challenger will learn basic skills in seamanship, navigation, infantry drill, sailing and markmanship. He will also receive instruction and indoctrination on the Brigade of Midshipmen's Honor Concept. At the end of Plebe Summer, Challenger will be ready to join the rest of the brigade when the academic year gets underway this fall.
Challenger is a 2000 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School.
Coast Guard Cadet Elroy S. Allen / St. Thomas
Aug. 5, 2003 (Fleet Hometown News) — Coast Guard Cadet Elroy S. Allen, son of Elroy S. Allen Sr. of St. Thomas, recently enrolled as a cadet at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn. Allen is a 2003 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, where he was a Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps member.
At the academy, Allen will undergo four years of extensive study in engineering, mathematics, physical and marine sciences, management and government, Coast Guard history, military justice, marine biology, computer science, physics and a variety of elective courses leading to a baccalaureate degree. An emphasis is also placed on physical fitness.
During Allen's time at the Coast Guard Academy, he will also participate in summer on-the-job training, which gives him the opportunity to gain professional experience aboard Coast Guard vessels and at shore installations. Training cruises provide practical instruction in basic seamanship, navigation, ordnance, gunnery exercises and communications.

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