Members of military honored

By Staff
Aug. 24, 2001
Army National Guard Pfc. Alvina S. Edwards graduated from basic combat military training at Fort Sill in Lawton, Okla.
During the training, Edwards received instruction in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid and Army history and traditions.
Edwards is the daughter of Sarah Edwards of Meridian.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Herman J. Wells, recently returned from six months in the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf while assigned to the USS Portland, whose homeport is Little Creek, Va.
Wells' wife, Dorothy, is the daughter of Leola Porter of Meridian,
The USS Portland supports amphibious operations using landing craft air cushions or "LCACS," which are specially-designed hovercraft that travel above land and sea surfaces and deliver vehicles and equipment.
Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Jeremie B. Coleman graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.
During six weeks of training, Coleman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and customs and received special training in human relations.
Coleman is a 1997 graduate of West Lauderdale High School and the son of Gracie Clark and Norman Coleman, both of Meridian.
Angela S. Hayden graduated from the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Advanced Camp at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Wash.
Cadets completed a five-week course of intensive military leadership training and evaluation exercises in communications, management and survival training.
Hayden is a 1998 graduate of Meridian High School and a student at Alcorn State University. She is the daughter of Wanda C. Burke of Alcorn State and the granddaughter of Vera B. Hayden of Meridian.
Porsche J. Hyman graduated from the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Basic Camp Challenge at Fort Knox. The five-week training program serves as the Army's two-year ROTC Program entry point.
Hyman is a student at Jacksonville State University. She is the daughter of John E. Hyman Jr. of Meridian and Marcella E. Hyman of Dayton, Ohio.
Navy Seaman Renoada A. Hardy and Navy Fireman Tony L. Shaw are halfway through a six-month deployment in the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise.
Hardy is a 1998 graduate of Newton High School. Shaw, the son of Carolyn D. and Mikel S. Powe of Waynesboro, is a 1996 graduate of Wayne County High School of Waynesboro.
The USS Enterprise's homeport is Norfolk, Va.,
During the first half of the deployment, the USS Enterprise made several port visits, including Lisbon, Portugal, where sailors had the opportunity to shop, sightsee and enjoy the local culture and cuisine.
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Rodney Creer, a 1990 graduate of West Kemper High School in DeKalb, recently returned from a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf. Creer was assigned to the guided missile destroyer USS Mitscher, whose homeport is Norfolk, Va.
Navy Fireman Gene K. Roberts, son of Debra E. and Jimmy D. Roberts of Shubuta, is halfway through a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean and Arabian Gulf. Roberts is assigned to the guided missile destroyer USS Benfold, whose homeport is San Diego.
Roberts joined the Navy in December 1999.
Dahlia L. Granger has joined the United States Army Reserve under the Delayed Training Program. The program gives young men and women an opportunity to delay reporting for basic military training for up to 270 days.
Enlisting in the Reserve gives many new soldiers the option to learn a new skill, serve their country and become eligible to receive more than $7,000 toward a college education, $20,000 for repayment of college loans, and a maximum $5,000 cash bonus.
Granger, a 1998 graduate of Southeast Lauderdale High School, will report to Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C., for basic training. She is the daughter of Loretha E. Granger of Meridian.