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Show Martinez finishes best of the best Kein Martinez CAMP WILLIAMS, UT Sgt. Kevin Martinez, 148th Field Artillery, finished as the best of the best in the competition for The Utah National Guards 1st Sgt. of the Year. Martinez, a Roy resident, was the top of his group and -- 1st Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Ricky C. Martinez, II, son of Geri and Rick Martinez of Taylorsville, and his fellow shipmates are in the middle of a scheduled deployment while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, homeported in San Diego. Martinezs unit made port to United Arab visits Emirates and Australia, participated in the United For Reading Program and conducted maritime security operations (MSO) in the Western Pacific. The port visits were opportunities for Sailors to participate in community service projects, visit tourist attractions and experience different cultures. The United For Reading Program allowed Sailors to read books to their children on video tape or DVD, and mail it home. The purpose of the program is to boost family morale, give parental support to the spouse left at home and ease childrens fears about parental absence. MSO sets the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, and supports the and security efforts of nations. MSO regional denies international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other materials. Carriers like USS Ronald are deployed Reagan throughout the world to maintain U.S. presence and I provide rapid response in time of crisis. They serve as a L highly visible deterrent to would-b- e aggressors and are t equipped with the most ver- satile and powerful weapons and aircraft available. Martinez is a 2003 gradu ate of Murray High School and joined the Navy in August 2003. counter-terroris- opportunity to delay entering active duty for up to one to United Arab Emirates and Australia, he also participated in the United For Reading Program and conducted mantime security operations (MSO) in the Western Pacific. The port visits were opportunities for Sailors to participate in community service projects, visit tourist attractions and experience different cultures. Smith joined the Navy in December 2001. visits Ricky Martinez m : Edward D. Smith Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Edward D. Smith, a 2001 graduate of Cyprus High School, Magna, and his fellow shipmates are in the middle of a scheduled deployment while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, homeported in San Diego. Smiths unit made port year. The enlistment gives the new soldier the option to learn a new skill, travel and become eligible to receive as much as $50,000 toward a After college education. basic of military completion training, soldiers receive advanced individual training in their career job specialty prior to being assigned to their first permanent duty station. Peters, a 2003 graduate of Kearns High School, Salt Lake City, has reported to Leonard Fort Wood, Waynesville, Mo., for active Sandra A. ONeal Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Sandra A. ONeal is currently deployed overseas at a location g 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, secuy rity and the as Iraqi transioperations tional 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 Iraqs economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraqs sovereignty as a and independence democracy. ONeal, a satellite communications is norcraftsman, equipment the 242nd to mally assigned Communications Combat Air Fairchild Squadron, Force Base, Spokane, Wash. She has served in the military for 17 years. She is the daughter of Walter and Vera ONeal of West Valley City. The sergeant is a 1986 graduate of Taylorsville High School. duty. He is the son forward-operatin- of Lisa M. Planada South Peters of Way, Kearns. Jason C. Parry Jason C. Parry has joined United States Army under the Delayed Entry Program. The program gives young men and women the opportunity to delay entering active duty for up to one year. The enlistment gives the new soldier the option to learn a new skill, travel and become eligible to receive as much as $50,000 toward a After college education. completion of basic military training, soldiers receive advanced individual training in their career job specialty prior to being assigned to their first permanent duty station. The recruit qualifies for a $16,000 enlistment bonus. Parry, who graduated in the year 2000 from Hunter - High School, Salt Lake City, will report to Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga., for active duty on May 17, 2006. He is the son of Steven H. and Diane J. Parry of Kearns. the counter-insurgenc- d received the award, March 25th at a banquet dinner for participants and their families. Martinez has served for over 21 years and spent several of those overseas in Germany and a year in Iraq. He is a veteran of the Gulf War as well as Operation Iraqi Freedom. Carlson wins soldier of the year James Carlson CAMP WILLIAMS, UT Spc. James Carlson, Utah Army National Guard, finished as the best of the best who competed for Soldier of the Year. The Soldier of the Year competition combined tests of physical strength and endurance with written and hands-o- n tests. Carlson, a Sandy resident, was at the top of his group and received the award March 25 at a banquet dinner for participants and their families. Carlson scored highly in every event of the competition. He shot expert in the weapons- qualification -- round. He received the highest score during the final board, which reflected his determination throughout the competition. Carlson has served with the National Guard for over four years and within that time he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for 18 months and spent a year in Iraq with his unit, the 148th Field Artillery. He wrote his essay for the competition about Baron FredrickVon Steuben, who traveled from France during the Revolutionary War to aid America in training their military leaders and commented that it was because of Von Steubens training and Davis is Utah CAMP WILLIAMS, UT Staff Sgt. Wyatt Davis, 640th Regional Training Institute, finished as the best of the best in the competition for The Utah National Guard's Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. The NCO of the Year competition combined tests of physical strength and endurance with written and hands-o- n tests. Davis, a Beaver resident, was the top of his group and received the award, March i,25i at, ft banquet dinner, for participants and their families. National Utah Army Guard 640th Regiment acting commandant, Sgt Maj. Morgan Yardley recommended Davis for the nomination -- RICO example that w'e as a nation were successful in winning the war. Carlson has an identical twin brother Jonathon, who deployed with him and aided him as a mentor and coach throughout the competition. of the Year to compete by saying, He is highly respected by his supervisors, peers and subordinates alike for his outstanding professional demeanor in any environment. Davis excelled in every event of the competition. He shot expert in the He round. received the highest score on the physical fitness test and continued to do so throughout the rest of the competition. ,,, Davis has served with the National Guard for close to nine years and in that time he has received the Regimental NCO of the Year and Instructor of the Cycle awards, along with many weapons-qualificati- on other honors and medals, JY'wreJihlsspy for the competition about NCOs which summed up his feelings for the corps and called them, ...one of the greatest traditions in the military today; the backbone of the Army. Blain A. Peters Blain A. Peters has joined the United States Army under the Delayed Entry Program. The program gives young men and women the See a list of local events on the Calendar Page to add an event to the calendar page If you would like call Francie at 250-56- 56 or send an email to newsmagnanews.com Attn: Calendar IS THERE A HAPPENING AT YOUR Beginning SCHOOL? our deadline for classified ads will be Mon. zi 10 a.m. fet as know!! To run a school or community story in The Magna TimesWest Valley News & Kearns Post 6 call 250-565- 2520 W. 4700 S. Building A, Suite 1 Taylorsville, Ut in April 801-965-91- 60 mmy eSGRIFOLS t |