From the Armed Forces

• Army Pvt. Michael Nixon, a 2006 graduate of Wheeling High School, graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Knox, Ky.

During the nine-week training period, Nixon received instruction in drill and ceremony, weapons, rifle marksmanship and bayonet training, chemical warfare, field training and tactical exercises, armed and unarmed combat, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, traditions, and core values.

He is the son of NaVerris Nixon of Arlington Heights, and Julie Nixon-Handy, Des Plaines.

• Army Reserve Spec. Ryan M. Kawabata, graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. He is a 1999 graduate of Hersey High School, and earned a bachelor's degree in 2004 from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb.

During the nine weeks of training, Kawabata studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

He is the son of Masaye Kawabata of Arlington Heights, and nephew of Toshio Umeda, Huntington Beach, Calif.