Navy Seaman Recruit Marcus D. Kidd, son of Joyce T. Mondaine of Kansas City, Kan., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

During the eight-week program, Kidd 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 i

Kidd is a 2009 graduate of J. C. Harmon High School of Kansas City, Kan.

U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore has nominated 27 candidates within his Congressional district who are seeking to attend military service academies, two of which are from Wyandotte County.

Bonner Springs HIgh School student Jacob Barren and Piper High School student Kevin Palmer were nominated today by Moore.

“Kansas has routinely nominated outstanding candidates to become military leaders,” Moore said. “I’m confident that with such exemplary academic and leadership skills, these young people will carry on that tradition and go on to excel at their respective service academies.”

Barren is looking to attend the U.S. Naval Academy, while Palmer is looking to attend the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and/or the U.S. Naval Academy.

They are two of 52 original applications, which Moore said was a record to his office.

The Wyandotte County Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold its "Holiday Mail for Heroes" program again this year.

The chapter expects to deliver well over 2,000 pieces of mails to area service men and women during the holiday.

“It’s an honor for our community to help make the holidays special for American heroes,” said Jason Williby, Executive Director, Wyandotte County Chapter.  “The American Red Cross serves and supports members of the military, veterans, and their families by providing emergency communications, comfort and assistance each day. The Holiday Mail for Heroes program continues the Red Cross tradition of service to the armed forces.” 

The Red Cross is seeking volunteers to help out on Saturday, Dec. 19, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. to help sort out box cards. The location of the event is 1600 Washington Blvd.

For more information, contact (913)321-6314 or email Jennifer Tarwater, Disaster Director, at tarwaterj@usa.redcross.org.

PHOTO: Earlier this year, U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS) wrote a letter that will be used in the program.

From ALAN HOSKINS, Kansan Contributor

The Department of Veterans Affairs has made funds available for veteran students who are still awaiting their education benefit claim to be processed.

Will Reed, the Veterans Certifying Official for Kansas City Kansas Community College, said eligible veterans can receive an advance of up to $3,000 which will be recouped from future benefit payments.

“If you are a KCKCC student who applied for one of the VA’s education programs and have not yet received your monthly benefit payment for the Fall 2009 term, you can request a one-time advance payment at your local VA Regional Office or through the VA’s website, www.va.gov,” said Reed.

Reed said advance payments will be issued by the U.S. Treasury within three work days following submission of the request and that payments will be in the form of checks sent through the U.S. mail.

“You should therefore anticipate an additional three days (excluding Sunday)s for the U.S. Postal Service to deliver your checks,” said Reed.

Further information on the educational benefits and how they might apply to KCKCC can be obtained by calling Will Reed at the KCKCC Leavenworth Center (913-651-2111). 

A graduate of the University of Kansas with a BA in Psychology, Reed served 7½ years as a non-commissioned officer in JAG.

I suppose yesterday would have been better to ask this question, but oh well.

1st Lt. Lisa Turner, a morale, welfare, recreation officer for the 326th Area Support Group, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, Camp Victory, hands out soccer balls, clothes, personal hygiene items and other things to Iraqi children at Airport Village, Victory Base Complex, Iraq. The items were donated by people from the United States. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Kathleen Briere)

The 326th Area Support Group, a small unit tasked with running the largest base in Iraq, returned to Camp Atterbury, Ind., from Baghdad, Iraq, early October after a one-year deployment.

Every Soldier of the 140-man, Kansas City, Kan., headquartered Army Reserve unit made it stateside after safely completing their mission of providing base operations and essentially running the entire Camp Victory in Baghdad, a population of around 65,000. 

“We provided all the services of a small city: water, sewage, electricity, road construction, building construction, problem solving and billeting for all of the military and civilians that lived there,” said 326th ASG Commander Col. Thomas Hardy, outgoing garrison commander of Camp Victory in Baghdad.

The 326th hit the sand running, providing these essentials and also streamlining the system, making it more energy efficient.

“One of our best accomplishments,” said Hardy “was we pushed to install one big generator farm to supply power for the entire base rather than having every area of the camp with its own little generator. That saved the government over $7 million a month in fuel costs.”

The unit worked with Coalition Forces, Iraqi Army and police, Iraqi politicians and businessmen, American and other country national contractors as well as distinguished visitors and officials from several nations.

Hardy said the unit gave eight to 10 thousand tours of the base during their year-long mission.

Additionally, the unit was responsible for coordinating entertainers to the area of operations for morale and welfare events.

“We brought in a lot of supporters,” said Master Sgt. Robert Heberling, morale and welfare sergeant-in-charge. “Kid Rock, Miss America, and Steven Baldwin to name a few. Another big one was Stephen Colbert and his 49 supporters, filmed four shows from the Al Faw Palace.”

Heberling said morale was high for the 326th ASG throughout their tour and the unit cohesion was good.

“Everybody took down every task, did a great job and learned a lot. It was like a big family, sometimes a dysfunctional family like any unit can be, but still a family.”

The unit will case its colors and hold final formation in Kansas City, Kan., this week, then return to their homes and families.

Heberling, like many, is looking forward to one thing.

“Relaxation,” said Heberling. “It will be great to get out of the uniform for a while and ride a motorcycle.”

Lt. Col. Mike Crader, director of public works commander, 326th Area Support Group, Multi-National Corps–Iraq, Camp Victory, hands out soccer balls, clothes, personal hygiene items and other things to Iraqi children at Airport Village, Victory Base Complex, Iraq. The items were donated by people from the United States, many of whom initially wanted to send care packages to Crader. "There were a lot of people who wanted to send me things," said Crader. “But what do I need?” he asked rhetorically. “These kids need clothes and shoes.” (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Kathleen Briere)

From Kansas City, Kan., to Normandy and back to KCK.

Raymond A. Schrader (pictured above), born in Kansas City, Kan., on Oct. 11, 1919, was honored by local, federal and governments from abroad on Monday afternoon at the Kansas Armory.

Schrader received the Legion of Honor, the highest military honor awarded by the French Republic. Schrader served in the Battle of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge from 1944-45.

Now living with his daughter Barbara of Independence, Mo., he return back to Kansas 64 years ago today.

"Today is a great day of rejoicing," she said. "No one could have guessed he or we would be here."

Schrader was given the award for his service in the 137th Regiment. During one battle in Germany, he located and captured 87 enemy soldiers, along with discovering two tank nests and two machine gun nests.

The Legion of Honor was presented by Col. Jean-Claude Brejot of France.

"More than 60 years ago you gave your youth to France," he said. "Thanks to your courage France has lived in peace for over six decades. We'll never forget."

The arrangement for the ceremony was coordinated through the office of U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS).

"Our world would look very different indeed if not for the service of those in World War II," he said.

MG Jack Strukel presented Schrader with a special coin, while Unified Government Commissioner John Mendez presented him a proclamation from UG Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon. A letter from French President Nicolas Sarkozy was presented to Schrader.

Previously, he received the American Defense Service Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal and the Bronze Star Medal.

U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS) will help present World War II veteran Raymond Schrader with the French Legion of Honor award, the highest distinction France bestows upon those who served in battles.

Moore, along with French Liaison Officer Col. Jean-Claude Brejot and Brigadier Gen. Alex Duckworth, will make the presentation next Monday at the Kansas National Guard Armory at 100 S. 20th St. in KCK.

Ceremonies are set to begin at 11 a.m.