Maj. Todd Mayer

A Cincinnati native, he lives in Anderson Township and is 40 years old.

In Operation Desert Storm (1990-1991), he was commander of C Company, 4-64 Armor, 24th Infantry Division and led the company in combat operations.

He is executive officer of the Ohio National Guard's 2-107th Cavalry.

In his civilian job, he is vice president of national accounts for BP Industries.

Maj. David Keszei

A native of Monroeville, Ohio, he lives in Pierce Township and is 36 years old.

He entered the Marine Corps in 1989.

In the 1990s, he served on board the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln as a F/A-18 pilot with 2,400 hours of flight time and flew missions over Iraq as part of Operation Southern Watch.

Served on board the carrier USS Nimitz for a second Operation Southern Watch tour and as close air support coordinator for operations over Somalia.

From 1999 to 2001, he served as a reserve pilot at Andrews Air Force Base, Washington, D.C.

Returned to active duty in Jan. 2002 and was assigned by Marine headquarters as program director for the Marines for Life program at the reserve center in Cincinnati.

Brig. Gen. Thurman Owens

A Covington native, he lives in Boone County and is 77 years old. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.

After the war, he returned to the Cincinnati area and became the captain of the University of Cincinnati football team.

Recalled to active duty during the Korean War.

Promoted to lieutenant colonel in July 1964, he did three tours of duty in Vietnam between 1964 and 1971, including leading a Marine amphibious force in battle and participating in war planning.

Promoted to brigadier general in 1973.