From the Armed Forces
•Army Pvt. Angus R. Beaton has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission and received instruction in drill and ceremonies, rifle marksmanship, weapons, map reading, tactics, armed and unarmed combat, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, Army history, core values and traditions and special training in human relations. He is the son of Dolores Beaton of Algonquin.
•Army Pvt. Matthew J. Bell has been mobilized and activated for a future deployment to an undisclosed overseas location 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.
Bell is a signal support systems specialist normally assigned to the 378th Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort Sheridan.
He is the son of Mark R. Bell of Lake in the Hills. The private is a 2006 graduate of Harry D. Jacobs High School, Algonquin.
•Air Force Airman Mark Benson A. Canto 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 Benjamin Canto Jr. and nephew of Reynaldo Canto, both of Woodstock. Canto is a 2006 graduate of Woodstock High School.
•Army Pvt. John J. Clancy has graduated from One Station Unit Training at the U.S. Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consisted of basic military training and advanced individual training. During basic training, the trainee received instruction in drill and ceremonies, military customs and courtesies, map reading, tactics, basic rifle marksmanship, physical fitness, field training, and first aid skills. The recruit developed combat skills and handled various weapons available to the infantry soldier. During AIT, the soldier received instruction to serve as an infantryman/mortarman using light and heavy anti-armor weapons, indirect-fire support, and mechanized operations while assigned to a rifle or mortar squad. The training included weapons qualification, tactics, patrolling, navigation, field communications, and combat operations; engagement in infantry combat exercises, battle drills, land mine locating, neutralizing and extracting, and survival operations during a nuclear, biological or chemical attack. He is the son of Tom Clancy and Beth Heitkamp of Lake in the Hills. Clancy is a 2006 graduate of Huntley High School.
•Steven A. DeCraene has received an Air Force ROTC college scholarship offer to attend a selected host college or university. The cadet was selected to receive the scholarship certificate on the basis of comprehensive tests, high school scholastic achievement, and extra-curricular activities. The majority of Air Force ROTC scholarships cover full college/university tuition, provide textbook allowance, and pay most laboratory or incidental fees. In addition, at least a $250 tax-free monthly allowance is paid to recipients during the academic year. The estimated value of the scholarship depends on the student's choice of school and type of scholarship offered. Upon graduation from college and completion of the ROTC program, the cadet will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. He is the son of Tony P. and Cathlene L. DeCraene of Woodstock. DeCraene is a 2007 graduate of Woodstock High School.
•Air Force Airman Joseph P. Fabis Jr. 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. Fabis is the son of Joseph and Tammy Fabis of Huntley. The airman is a 2006 graduate of Huntley High School.
•Randell Yi has been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force after completing the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program and graduating with a bachelor's degree from Lewis University, Romeoville.
ROTC is an educational program designed to provide college students an opportunity to be Air Force officers after completing military study courses and bachelor's degree requirements at a host college or university. The program is the largest and oldest source of commissioned officers for the Air Force, with a mission to produce highly qualified military leaders and better citizens for America.
He is the son of Wesley and Ute Yi of Aurora. His wife, Amanda, is the daughter of Philip Frey of DeKalb and Janis Frey of Cary.
In 2003, he graduated from Waubonsie Valley High School, Aurora.