From the armed forces
Air National Guard Master Sgt. Randy L. Schafer, a Mount Prospect resident, completed two concurrent tours assigned to logistics readiness squadrons in Al Udeid and Qatar, and is now assigned at McGuire Air Force Base, Trenton, N.J.
In Al Udeid and Qatar, he prepared general cargo, certified hazardous material. and classified cargo for onward movement missions and cargo returning to home stations.
Master Sgt. Schafer, a traffic management craftsman, currently serves in the special assignments section at the Aerial Port at McGuire Air Force Base. He processes classified, hazardous, munitions and other special item shipments being sent via Air Mobility Command charted aircraft. He is regularly a member of the 110th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 110th Fighter Wing based in Battle Creek, Mich. He has served in the military for 14 years.
In his civilian occupation, the guardsman is a ramp service employee for United Airlines at O'Hare International Airport, Chicago.
Schafer is the son of Norman and Ardith Schafer, Tekonsha, Mich., and a 1988 graduate of Tekonsha High School.
Kaitlyn Teresa Kelly has been appointed to the Class of 2012 at the United States Military Academy, West Point. Kaitlyn is the daughter of Charlotte and Paul Kelly of Arlington Heights. She recently graduated from The United States Military Academy Prep School, serving as Battalion Adjutant. Cadet Kelly is a graduate of Saint Viator High School, class of 2007.
Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Colin R. Carson has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. He is the son of Maureen Carson of Bartlett, and Kent Carson of Arlington Heights. Carson is a 2006 graduate of Conant High School, Hoffman Estates.
Air Force Cadet Ryan P. McGuire has graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. The graduate received a bachelor of science degree and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. The academy offers a four-year educational program of instruction and experience designed to provide cadets the knowledge and character essential for air and space leaders, and the motivation to serve as Air Force career officers. The curriculum provides a balanced program of military training, academics, physical training, athletic conditioning, and character and ethical development. The courses of study allow cadets to acquire a broad education in the basic and engineering sciences, social sciences, the humanities, including additional elective courses needed to complete requirements for one of 25 major areas of study. The new lieutenants go on to serve as pilots, navigators, engineers, maintenance officers, professionals in various management and technical fields, and some attend medical or graduate school with special scholarships, while others go directly to nonrated Air Force-wide assignments. McGuire received a degree in meteorology at the academy. The new lieutenant is the son of Debra and Steven McGuire of Midsummer Place, The Woodlands, Texas.
His grandparents are Bill and Carol McGuire of Big Gully Road, Maryville, Tenn.; and Jeanine Adams of Mount Prospect.
Army National Guard Spec. Danica M. Cho has been mobilized and activated for deployment overseas to a forward operating base 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, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi transitional 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 Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq's sovereignty and independence as a democracy.
Cho, a military police with three years of military service, is normally assigned to the 40th Military Police Company, Los Alamitos, Calif. She is the daughter of Latrice Won of Rolling Meadows and Seung Nam Cho of Meadowmont Creek, Birmingham, Ala. The specialist graduated in 1994 from Lane Tech High School, and received a bachelor's degree in 2001 from Northeastern Illinois University, both of Chicago. She earned a master's degree in 2006 from the Academy of Art University, San Francisco.
Private Michael Patrick Howard, 20, of Rolling Meadows, graduated from United States Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego on May 23, 2008. Private Howard successfully completed 13 weeks of intensive Marine Corps basic training at MCRD San Diego and Camp Pendleton as one of 80 recruits in Training Platoon 3265. While in basic training Private Howard was awarded the Marine Corps Rifle Sharpshooter Badge. Following 10 days' home leave Private Howard reported back to Camp Pendleton for an additional one month at Military Combat Training. Upon completion of MCT, he will ship to his military occupation specialty school. After intensive MOS training, Private Howard will be assigned his permanent duty station. Private Howard is a 2007 graduate of William Fremd High School. He is the son of Christopher Howard, and brother of Erin, Katy, Chris, Margaret and John Howard, all of Rolling Meadows.
Navy Ensign Joshua D. Meek, son of Laurie A. Meek-Thakur of Long Grove and David R. Meek of Crossroads, Texas, recently graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy. Meek successfully completed four years of intensive academic, physical and professional military training, resulting in a bachelor of science degree. The mission of the United States Naval Academy is to develop its Midshipmen morally, mentally and physically, in order to prepare combat leaders of character for the Navy and Marine Corps. Meek is a 2007 graduate of Flower Mound High School of Flower Mound, Texas.
Air Force Cadet Matthew H. Yarrington has graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. The graduate received a bachelor of science degree and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. The academy offers a four-year educational program of instruction and experience designed to provide cadets the knowledge and character essential for air and space leaders, and the motivation to serve as Air Force career officers. The curriculum provides a balanced program of military training, academics, physical training, athletic conditioning, and character and ethical development. The courses of study allow cadets to acquire a broad education in the basic and engineering sciences, social sciences, the humanities, including additional elective courses needed to complete requirements for one of 25 major areas of study. The new lieutenants go on to serve as pilots, navigators, engineers, maintenance officers, professionals in various management and technical fields, and some attend medical or graduate school with special scholarships, while others go directly to nonrated Air Force-wide assignments. The officer has been selected to attend the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program conducted by the 80th Flying Training Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas. Only the top 30 pilot candidates of each graduating class get to attend the 55-week training program sponsored by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Yarrington received a degree in aeronautical engineering at the academy. He is the son of Alan and Patricia Yarrington of Greenhills Drive, Lafayette, Calif. His grandparents are Lawrence Galligan of Tucson, Ariz., and Blaine and Marilyn Yarrington of Arlington Heights.