From the Armed Forces

• Army Pvt. Brandon Beuse has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. He is the son of Robert Beuse of Melrose Park and Gloria Beuse of Bloomingdale. The private is a 2007 graduate of West Leyden High School, Northlake.

• Army National Guard Pvt. Kylell C. Buck has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Buck, the son of Sharon Buck of Aurora, is a 2007 graduate of West Aurora High School, Aurora.

• Air Force Airman Abby E. Lundberg has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. She is the daughter of Regina Rameika of Aurora and Byron Lundberg of Crescent City, Calif. Lundberg is a 2006 graduate of West Aurora High School.

• Air Force Airman Daniel A. Mellstead has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Mellstead, the son of Dan and Sara Mellstead of Downers Grove, is a 2007 graduate of Downers Grove High School.

• Army National Guard Pfc. Brian P. Allen has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. Allen, the son of Jack J. Allen of Lisle, is a 2005 graduate of Marmion Academy, Aurora.

• Navy Seaman William J. Raidt recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes. Raidt, the son of Elizabeth M. Raidt of Oak Brook, is a 2002 graduate of Hinsdale Central High School, Hinsdale.

• Justin N. Varnes has been promoted to sergeant in the U.S. Army. A 2005 graduate of Glenbard East High School in Lombard, he is the son of Kristin Varnes and grandson of Marita and the late Edward Varnes, all longtime residents of Lombard.

After completing his airborne-ranger training at Fort Benning Ga., Varnes served with the 1st Ranger Battalion at Fort Stewart in Savannah, Ga., which subsequently was deployed to Iraq.

He is currently serving in the Warrior Transition Unit based in Vincenza, Italy.

• Air Force Reserve Airman Borys M. Pawlowski has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Pawlowski, the son of Miroslaw Pawlowski of Addison, is a 2007 graduate of the high school program at College of DuPage, Glen Ellen.

• Navy Seaman Recruit Anthony J. DePaulo recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes. DePaulo, the son of Debra L. Fewell of Montgomery and Joseph DePaulo of Lombard, is a 2002 graduate of Wheaton Warrenville South High School, Wheaton.

• Army Sgt. Carter W. Meng has returned to Alaska after being deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The soldier is assigned to the 725th Brigade Support Battalion, a subordinate unit of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division at Fort Richardson, Anchorage.

Meng, a recovery vehicle operator, has served in the military for three years. He is the son of Rosalyn V. Meng of Downers Grove and a 2004 graduate of Downers Grove North High School, Downers Grove.

• Navy Seaman David A. Harbuziuk recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes. Harbuziuk, the son of Luba and Alex D. Harbuziuk of Naperville, is a 1998 graduate of Naperville Central High School, Naperville.

• Navy Seaman Apprentice Lee S. Norris recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes. He is the son of Jan R. McIlvain of Winamac, Ind., and Jeff D. Norris of Aurora.

• Navy Seaman Mark A. Davis, Jr. recently was promoted to his current rank upon graduation from recruit training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes.

He received the early promotion for outstanding performance during all phases of the training cycle.

Davis, the son of Pamela E. and Mark A. Davis of Lombard, is a 2004 graduate of Montini Catholic High School, Lombard.

• Navy Seaman Recruit Matthew J. Mecker recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes. He is the son of Mary A. and Steven L. Mecker of Wheaton and is a 2007 graduate of Wheaton North High School, Wheaton.

• Navy Seaman James W. White recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes. White, the son of Carol I. and John W. White of Naperville, is a 2004 graduate of Neuqua Valley High School, Naperville.

• Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Melody L. Dunham recently received a certificate of commendation while serving as a member of the security battalion stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Dunham's training, preparation and participation in the 120-mile, 2007 Baker to Vegas Law Enforcement Relay Race helped lead the security battalion team to a first-place victory in the invitational category and 14th place out of 235 participating teams.

Dunham, the daughter of Lynda and David Dunham of Aurora, is a 2002 graduate of West Aurora High School. She joined the Marine Corps in December 2005.

• Army Pvt. Timothy D. Bank has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Bank is a 2004 graduate of East Aurora High School, Aurora.

• Army Reserve Pfc. Shivan A. Agha has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. He is the son of Waffa Agha of Winfield.