SALUTE TO SOLDIERS

Naval Academy

Two local men have graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.:

Joseph Faller has been commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. The Roger Bacon High School graduate is the son of Angie and Ray Faller of Clifton.

Grant Schweikert was commissioned an ensign in the United States Navy. The Oak Hills High School graduate is the son of Patti and Mark Schweikert of Green Township.

Both will report to Pensacola, Fla., for flight school.

Basic completed

These privates have graduated Army basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.:

Tosha McDonald, a Madison High School grad and daughter of Alicia Robinson of Middletown; Michael Bye, an Anderson High School grad; David Dick, home schooled, son of Donna Wells of Clifton; Jonathan Stewart, William Henry Harrison High School grad and son of Monica Stewart of Harrison; and Laura Jennings, a Norwood High grad.

For submission information, please call 755-4165.

OUR KIDS

Shaking hands with a four-star general meant something special to Matthew Haverkos when he attended the Presidential Classroom's first National Security in a Democracy program this summer in Washington, D.C.

Matthew, 17, was among 450 juniors and seniors who took part in the program, designed to show the roles of the federal government in developing and protecting national security.

"I don't remember the general's name, but it was kind of impressive, shaking his hand," Matthew said. "It was a great program and I liked visiting with our local elected officials there."

The students began the week with a Gettysburg battlefield tour. Congress and the media presented seminars on national security.

Matthew, a senior at La Salle High School, is the son of Greg and Jayne Haverkos, White Oak.