Military Matters

Army National Guard Pvt. Ronald E. Webber and Army Pvt. Terressa D. LaSalle have graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldiers studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
Webber earned distinction as an honor graduate. He is the son of Ronald Webber of Gibbstown, N.J., and Mary Anderson of Philadelphia.
LaSalle is the daughter of Marlene Williams of Clinton, N.C. and niece of Monique Dixion of Philadelphia.

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Army ROTC Cadet Chris A. Fluellen is one of 273 cadets who received the 2007 George C. Marshall ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Award at the George C. Marshall Foundation in Lexington, Va.
The award is named in the honor and legacy of General of the Army George C. Marshall, who served in World War II and in the post-war era outlined a program of economic assistance and recovery for worn-torn Europe.
At the annual seminar, awards are presented to the most outstanding Army ROTC cadet senior students who attend colleges and universities that host ROTC detachments. The students are the best and brightest in the ROTC program who will serve as the Army’s future leaders.
The cadet is a student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pa. Upon graduation from the host college or university and completion of the ROTC program, the cadet will receive a bachelor’s degree and a commission of second lieutenant in the Army.
During the four-day seminar, award winners explore a broad range of national security issues and have roundtable discussions on how these issues affect national security.
The son of Anna L. Fluellen and grandson of Ella Wallace, both of Philadelphia, Fluellen is a 2003 graduate of Frankford High School.

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Army Pvt. Randall G. Raglin has been mobilized and activated for a future deployment to an undisclosed overseas location in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces and coalition forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq.
Mission objectives focus on force protection, peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi transitional governing bodies assume full sovereign powers to govern the peoples of Iraq.
Members from all branches of the U.S. military and multinational forces are also assisting in rebuilding Iraq’s economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq’s sovereignty and independence as a democracy.
Raglin, a combat engineer, is the son of Marvin E. Harris of Willingboro, N.J., and Laurie A. Harris of Philadelphia.
The private is a 2004 graduate of Willingboro High School.

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Navy Seaman Recruit Colin R. Rooney, son of Karen J. Kane of Philadelphia, and Robert E. Rooney of Langhorne; and Navy Seaman Robert P. Griffiths recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Rooney and Griffiths 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 skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. "Battle Stations" is 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. Rooney is a 2006 graduate of Archbishop Ryan High School.
Griffiths is a 2006 graduate of Northeast High School.

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Brian R. Marquardt has been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army after successfully completing the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) program and graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University, University Park.
The new officer will be branched to a specific corps in the Army to serve on active duty or in the National Guard or Reserve. The lieutenant also will attend the officer basic course relating to his or her particular military occupational specialty/job.
The ROTC curriculum prepares students with the tools, training and experiences to help them succeed as effective leaders in any competitive environment. Army officers serve as leaders, counselors, strategists and motivators, who lead other soldiers in all situations occurring in ever-changing environments. As trained problem-solvers, key influencers and planners, they are driven to achieve success with their team on every mission.
Marquardt is the son of Robert W. Marquardt of Philadelphia.

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Navy Hospitalman Timothy A. Blazosky, son of Martha and Timothy S. Spatafore of Philadelphia, recently reported for duty at Naval Hospital, Jacksonville, Fla.
Blazosky is a 2002 graduate of Harry S. Truman High School, Levittown. ••