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January, 2012

GREAT LAKES, Illinois -- Navy Seaman Todd E. Ritter, son of Lois M. and Larry T. Ritter of Ste. Genevieve, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois.

During the eight-week program, Ritter 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.

Ritter is a 2006 graduate of Valle Catholic High School of Ste. Genevieve. He is a 2011 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau with a BS degree.

September, 2011

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Navy Seaman Apprentice Raynelle E. Young, daughter of Albert E. Young, of Ste. Genevieve, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois.

During the eight-week program, Young 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.

Young is a 2011 graduate of Herculaneum High School.

June, 2011

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Air Force Airman Blaine C. Russell graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

He is the son of Susan Bartotto of Market Street, Sainte Genevieve.

Russell graduated in 2010 from Valle Catholic High School, Sainte Genevieve.

March, 2011

Arnold completes U.S. Navy basic training

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Navy Airman Laura K. Arnold, daughter of Nelda L. and John D. Stacy of Ste. Genevieve, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois

During the eight-week program, Arnold 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.

Arnold is a 2007 graduate of Farmington High School of Farmington.

August, 2010

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- A 1989 graduate of Ste. Genevieve High School is returning to the U.S. after a deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom, respectively.

Army Reserve Master Sgt. Carla J. Buatte will first return to Fort Dix, N.J. for debriefing, evaluations and out-processing procedures before returning to her regularly assigned Army Reserve unit.

Master Sgt. Buatte served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Iraq Theater of Operations.

Buatte, a civil affairs specialist and recently promoted to Master Sergeant, is assigned to the 472nd Chemical Company, Chicago, Ill. She has served in the military for 16 years.

She is the daughter of John T. Buatte of Ste. Genevieve.

In 1989, she graduated from Ste. Genevieve High School, and received a bachelor's degree in 1993 from Missouri State University, Springfield. She earned a master's degree in 2001 from Webster University, St. Louis, Mo.

June, 2010

Bloomsdale man completes Navy basic training

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Navy Seaman Dustin L. Gowen, son of Diane M. and Robert L. Gowen of Bloomsdale, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois.

During the eight-week program, Gowen 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.

February, 2010

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Army Spec. Ryan A. Blandford has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consists of Basic Infantry Training and Advanced Individual Training.

During the nine weeks of basic combat training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons employment, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid skills, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experienced use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.

The Advanced Individual Training course is designed to train infantry soldiers to perform reconnaissance operations; employ, fire and recover anti-personnel and anti-tank mines; locate and neutralize land mines and operate target and sight equipment; operate and maintain communications equipment and radio networks; construct field firing aids for infantry weapons; and perform infantry combat exercises and dismounted battle drills, which includes survival procedures in a nuclear, biological or chemical contaminated area.

He is the son of Ronald Blandford of S. Walnut St., Perryville, Mo.

The specialist is a 2002 graduate of Perryville High School.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – A 2008 graduate of Ste. Genevieve High School has completed basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

Air National Guard Airman Daniel S. Middleton is the son of Dawn Middleton of Valley Bloomsdale

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

November, 2009

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Air Force Airman Waylon M. DaVault has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

DaVault is the son of Jeff and Sheila Wolk of Highway 32, Ste. Genevieve, Mo.

He is a 2009 graduate of Ste. Genevieve High School.

August, 2009

GREAT LAKES, Illinois -- A 2007 graduate of Ste. Genevieve High School has recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois.

Navy Seaman Recruit Joshua C. Robinson, 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.

July, 2009

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Army Pvt. Vincent C. Lollar has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, South Carolina.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier 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.

He is the son of Nancy and stepson of Glenn Sellers of State Route P, Ste. Genevieve.

Lollar is a 2009 graduate of Ste. Genevieve High School.

June, 2009

FORT LEONARD WOOD – A Missouri National Guardsmen lived up to his rank by finishing as the top student in the second ever L3 Technical Escort course on post.

First Sgt. John Dowdy, of the 7th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team on post, earned a certificate of accomplishment in the 22-person course at the 1st Lt. Joseph Terry Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Responder Training Facility.

The class consisted of three other members of Dowdy’s unit, Reserve and active Army students, as well as two Marines.

"It was a very high honor after just coming to the Chemical Corps two years ago," said Dowdy, a former combat engineer. "As a National Guardsmen, to receive that award, it’s a high honor."

The award was based on practical-exercise performance, instructor input and written test scores, which Dowdy, who lives on post, had the highest average on in the class.

Each module of training for the 33-day course concluded with a 25- to 50-point multiple choice test.

Dowdy, a 1985 graduate of Ste. Genevieve High School, said his success had much to do with being a member of the Guard and his unit.

"I think it’s based on what the 7th Civil Support Team is exposed to at our monthly training events," he said. "We have a high visibility of how local, state and federal agencies work at incident scenes and we get that type of exposure that the active components don’t. That type of event, they train on once a year, if that.

"Plus the equipment that we have is the newest on the market – it’s on the cutting edge of technology. We have training on it by reps from the companies and the base of knowledge that we develop is at a high level. The equipment they have at the schoolhouse is what we have on our missions."

The course allows service members with the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear specialist military occupational specialty to earn the additional skill identifier as a technical escort.

Networking between the different types of missions in the chemical field is the most important thing Dowdy said he’ll take away from the course.

"Being able to network with those Soldiers and officers in the future, not only as a tactical and technical knowledge base, but the friendships that we developed during the demanding 33-day course is great," said Dowdy, who earned honor graduate once before at Sapper school.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-888-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.

May, 2009

Bohnett is honor graduate at Fort Benning

COLUMBUS, Georgia – A 2002 graduate of Ste. Genevieve High School has been named the honor graduate of his class at the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Army Pfc. Eric A. Bohnett is the son of Ethan and Deborah Bohnett of Autumn Ridge, Bloomsdale.

He received an associate degree in 2005 from Jefferson College, Hillsboro, Mo.

The training consisted of Basic Infantry Training and Advanced Individual Training.

During the nine weeks of basic combat training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons employment, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid skills, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experienced use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.

The Advanced Individual Training course is designed to train infantry soldiers to perform reconnaissance operations; employ, fire and recover anti-personnel and anti-tank mines; locate and neutralize land mines and operate target and sight equipment; operate and maintain communications equipment and radio networks; construct field firing aids for infantry weapons; and perform infantry combat exercises and dismounted battle drills, which includes survival procedures in a nuclear, biological or chemical contaminated area.

October, 2008

GREAT LAKES, Illinois – A 2008 graduate of Ste. Genevieve High School has completed U.S. Navy Basic Training at the Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois.

Navy Seaman Recruit Darren T. Burgert is the son of Terry D. and Scott T. Burgert of Ste. Genevieve.

During the eight-week program, Burgert 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.

August, 2008

IMPERIAL -- Former members of the 140th Infantry Regiment are planning a reunion Saturday, October 11, 2008 at VFW Post 3777, Festus, Missouri.

For information contact: Carl Schneider, 3931Hwy M Imperial, MO 63052, 636-942-3560 or 314-602-0005 or Jim Hewitt, 1246 Spring Drive, Herculaneum, MO 63048,

636-937-4464

May, 2008

COLUMBIA, South Carolina -- Army National Guard Pvt. Natasha N. Carson has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier 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.

She is the daughter of Virgie Wilson of S. Gabouri St., Ste. Genevieve, Mo.

Carson is a 2007 graduate of Ste. Genevieve Senior High School.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Air Force Airman Cole M. Adams has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, 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.

He is the son of Sheila Adams of Perryville and David Adams of St. Mary.

Adams is a 2007 graduate of Ste. Genevieve High School, Mo.

COLUMBIA, South Carolina -- A 2007 graduate of Ste. Genevieve High School has completed U.S. Army basic combat training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

Pvt. Robert D. Chance is the son of Robert and Christina Chance of Bloomsdale and the grandson of George and Dianna Chance of Festus.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier 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.

April, 2008

Meyer is ‘Player of the Day’

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Army Specialist Jeff Meyer was recently recognized as "Player of the Day".

Spc. Meyer was presented "The Player of the Day" award for his outstanding work in the 35th Engineer Brigade Tactical Operations Center.

He is the son of Paul and Dolores Meyer of Apple Creek. His aunt, Regina Berkbigler, is a secretary in the office of the assistant superintendent of the Ste. Genevieve R-II schools.