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HomeNewsArchivesMILITARY NEWS OF VIRGIN ISLANDERS - JANUARY 2004

MILITARY NEWS OF VIRGIN ISLANDERS – JANUARY 2004

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.
Navy Airman Shaeme Ramos / St. Croix
Jan. 30, 2004 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Airman Shaeme S. Ramos, son of Marjorie F. Ramos of Christiansted, recently departed on a routine, scheduled deployment while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, homeported in Norfolk, Va.
Ramos, a 2001 graduate of St. Croix Central High School, joined the Navy in December 2002.
Ramos is one of more than 7,600 Sailors and Marines aboard the ships of the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group who deployed in order to carry out America's ongoing operations in the war on terrorism.
Carriers like the USS George Washington are deployed throughout the world to maintain U.S. presence and provide rapid response in times of crisis. They serve as a highly visible deterrent to would-be aggressors, and are equipped with the most versatile and powerful weapons and aircraft available.
For more information on the deployment and photographs, visit the USS George Washington Web site .
Navy Airman Reuben B. Lawrence Jr. / St. Thomas
Jan. 27, 2004 (Fleet News) – Navy Airman Reuben B. Lawrence Jr., a 1992 graduate of Antilles School, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Lawrence completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.
The capstone event of boot camp is "Battle Stations". This exercise gives recruits the key skills and confidence they need to graduate and take to the fleet. "Battle Stations" has been designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Its distinctly "Navy" flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a Sailor.
Army Staff Sgt. Kimberly Thompson / St. Thomas
Jan. 22, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Staff Sgt. Kimberly N. Thompson, a 1994 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, has been decorated with the Army Achievement Medal.
Her parents are Ruscila F. and Fitzgerald A. Thompson of Kirwan Terrace, St. Thomas.
The medal is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who, while serving in any capacity with the Army in a noncombat area, have distinguished themselves by meritorious service or achievement.
Thompson has also been named drill sergeant of the year. Selection was based on the individual's exemplary duty performance, job knowledge, leadership qualities, significant self-improvement, and other specific achievements and notable accomplishments.
She is assigned to B Company, 73rd Ordnance Battalion, Fort Gordon, Augusta, Ga. Thompson has nine years of military service.

Navy Petty Officer Carl Christopher / St. Thomas
Navy Petty Officer Barry M. Emanuel / St. Thomas
Navy Lt. Mzcah B. Harley / St. Thomas

Jan. 21 and 22, 2004 (Fleet News) – Three Navy officers with St. Thomas connections and their fellow crewmembers aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, homeported in Norfolk, Va., recently received the Navy's Retention Excellence Award for fiscal year 2003.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Carl Christopher, son of Annie Christopher of St. Thomas, joined the Navy in December 2000.
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Barry M. Emanuel is a 2000 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School.
Navy Lt. Mzcah B. Harley, son of Barbara Harley of New York City and Aubrey W. Harley of St. Thomas, joined the Navy in February 1994.
The Retention Excellence Award, also known as the Golden Anchor, recognizes a command's ability to meet or exceed its annual goals for Sailor retention.
The award is also a credit to the dedicated effort of Christopher and others aboard Enterprise in ensuring the ship's continuing appeal after more than 40 years of active service.
* * * * * * * * * * *
The same three officers aboard the Enterprise, recently helped launch the ship's first precision-guided munitions attack since the start of the new year.
Two F/A-18 Hornets from Strike Fighter Squadron 86 deployed from the Enterprise to attack an enemy mortar position near Balad, Iraq, north of Baghdad, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Carriers such as Enterprise are deployed throughout the world to maintain U.S. presence and provide rapid response in times of crisis. They serve as a highly visible deterrent to would-be aggressors, and are equipped with the most versatile and powerful weapons and aircraft available.
Army Pfc. Delsa Thomas / St. John

Jan. 21, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Pfc. Delsa Y. Thomas has graduated from the automated logistical specialist advanced individual training course at Fort Lee, Petersburg, Va.
Thomas is the daughter of Anna M. Thomas of Enighed, Cruz Bay, St. John. and Dexter A. Thomas of S.W. 52nd Ave., Hollywood, Fla.
The soldier was trained to establish and maintain stock records and other documents such as inventory, materiel control, accounting and support reports, automated and manual accounting records; review and verify bills of lading, contracts, and purchase orders; repair and construct shipping crates for equipment and supplies; and perform prescribed loads and shop stock lists in manual and automated supply applications.
Navy Office James Slaughter / St. Thomas, St. Croix
January 15, 2004 (Fleet Hometown News)–Navy Petty Officer 1st Class James M. Slaughter, and fellow Sailors assigned to the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, homeported in Mayport, Fla., recently answered a distress call from an Iraqi freighter in the Arabian Gulf.
After responding to the call, members of Slaughter's unit transported an
Iraqi seaman, via helicopter, to the USS Enterprise, where he was treated for a fractured arm and chest bruises, which were sustained when a cable parted while his ship was towing another vessel. After he was treated, the seaman was taken back to Iraq for further medical attention.
Slaughter's ship is currently on a routine, scheduled deployment and serves as a multi-mission platform capable of supporting carrier strike groups and amphibious forces. The cruiser can also operate independently and as a flagship of a surface action group.
Slaughter's wife, Cleo, is the daughter of Cicely O. Burke of St. Croix, and Monteclair Burke of St. Thomas.
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dennis Dugger Jr. / St. John
Jan. 12, 2004 (Fleet News)–Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dennis Dugger Jr., stepson of Al and son of Suezette A. Barry of Cruz Bay, V. I., recently was promoted to his current rank while serving with Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, N. C.
Dugger was promoted based on sustained superior job performance and proficiency in his designated specialty.
Dugger is a 2002 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School.
Army Capt. Helen A. Thomas / St. Croix
Jan. 9, 2004 (Submitted by H. Thomas) – My name is Helen A. Thomas. I am a Capt
ain in the U.S. Army. I am a finance officer and I have been in the military for 14½ years. I am responsible for implementing policies and ensuring that all finance policies are adhered to.
I am originally from St Croix. I graduated from the old St Croix Central High School in 1984. My parents are Edmund and Ireta Lake of Campo Rico, my sister is Omah Otto, and her husband is Clement Adams, all of St Croix. I have a master's degree in human resource development and a bachelor's degree in business administration (finance).
I am currently stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky. I recently got back from a year away from my family in Korea.
Army Spc. Linnai-Anne T. Camacho / St. Thomas
Jan. 8, 2004 (Army & Air Force News) – Army Spc. Linnai-Anne T. Camacho has deployed to Iraq to support the mission of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
A 2001 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, she is the daughter of Cindy Monsanto of Constant Knolls, and Eladio Camacho Jr., both of St. Thomas.
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. Active duty, reserve, and National Guard members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are participating in the operation. 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.
Camacho is normally assigned to the 864th Engineer Battalion, Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash. She has two years of military service.
Army Spc. Clive Dunrod / St. Thomas
Jan. 8, 2004 (Army & Air Force News) – Army Spc. Clive E. Dunrod has deployed to Iraq to support the mission of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
A 1998 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, he is the son of Princess E. Prescott of Frydenhoj, St. Thomas.
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. Active duty, reserve, and National Guard members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are participating in the operation. 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.
Dunrod is normally assigned to the 864th Engineer Battalion, Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash.
Army Sgt. Michael A. George / St. Croix
Jan. 8, 2004 (Army & Air Force News) – Army Sgt. Michael A. George has deployed to Iraq to support the mission of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He is the son of Florella C. Lawrence, and grandson of Florissa C. Lawrence, both of Sion Farm, Christiansted.
The sergeant graduated in 1992 from St. Croix Central High School, and received a bachelor's degree in 1999 from the University of the Virgin Islands St. Croix campus.
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. Active duty, reserve, and National Guard members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are participating in the operation. 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.
George is a senior electrician normally assigned to the 864th Engineer Battalion, Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash.

Navy Seaman Deshaun Todman / St. Thomas
Jan. 8, 2004 (Fleet News) – Navy Seaman Deshaun J. Todman, son of Candia L. Callwood of Houston, Texas, and Tyrone M. Todman of St. Thomas, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Todman completed a variety of training that included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, fire fighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.
The capstone event of boot camp is "Battle Stations". This exercise gives recruits the key skills and confidence they need to graduate and take to the fleet. "Battle Stations" has been designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of "honor, courage and commitment." Its distinctly "Navy" flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a Sailor.
Todman is a 2002 graduate of Westbury Senior High School of Houston, Texas.

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