Wyoming Vietnam veterans are invited to attend the annual Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Reunion Aug. 12-15 being held this year just 20 miles outside the Wyoming border in Scottsbluff, Neb.

The reunion features workshops, BBQ, golf tournament and dances.

But Jay Lawson, Cheyenne Vietnam veteran who has attended reunions in both Nebraska and Wyoming, says the crux of the event is the "camaraderie and fellowship with other vets."

"Although this reunion is held in Nebraska, it is open to all Vietnam veterans in the region," Lawson said. "Vets, their family and guests are welcome to take in all or a part of the event."

Workshop topics include Texas Tech University Vietnam Veterans Archives, Task Force Omega on POW/MIA and the Veterans Service Office.

Scottsbluff is only 90 miles from Cheyenne and 120 miles from Casper. No Wyoming Vietnam veterans reunion is being held this year.

Registration is $50 for adults and $35 for youth for the entire conference. One-day registration is also available.

For registration forms or more information, call Darrell Peterson at (308) 632-1797 in Scottsbluff or stop by the Cheyenne Vets Center at 3130 Henderson in Cheyenne.

Reunion information is also available at www.vetsreunion.com.

*MP AWARDED MEDALS: Army Sgt. Jason C. Housel has been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the National Defense Service Medal for supporting the missions of Operations Enduring and/or Iraqi Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The soldier recently returned to Fort Drum, Watertown, N.Y., where the servicemember is assigned to the 10th Military Police Company.

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who serve or have served in military operations to combat terrorism, as defined by such regulations, on or after September 11, 2001, and before a terminal date to be prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.

The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is awarded to members of the U.S. armed force who have deployed overseas on military expeditions to serve in the Global War on Terrorism operations on or after Sept. 11, 2001, and to a future date to be determined by the Secretary of Defense. Initial award of the expeditionary medal is limited to personnel deployed abroad in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The area of eligibility encompasses the U.S. Central Command area (less the lower Horn of Africa), the Middle East, eastern Turkey, the Philippines, Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, and all air spaces above the land and adjacent water areas.

The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active military service to members of the U.S. armed forces as prescribed and regulated by secretaries of the armed forces and approved by the secretary of defense. The medal may be awarded to members of the U.S. Coast Guard, and to members of reserve components when they are ordered to Federal active duty to serve and defend the U.S. and its interests.

Housel, a military police/team leader, is the son of Bob and Debbie Housel of Cody and is a 1998 graduate of Cody High School.

(with photo bug - Chadwell)

*GRADUATES: U.S. Navy E2 Chas Chadwell of Casper graduated from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill., recently. He is a 2003 graduate of Kelly Walsh High School and the son of Connie Chadwell of Casper. He is married to the former Jennifer Doiron of Casper. He has reported to Penacola, Fla., for aviation mechanic or "A" school.

Army

Pvt. Tonie A. Allen has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier 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.

She is the daughter of Tammy and Tom Allen of Cheyenne and a 2003 graduate of Cheyenne East High School.

Reserve Pvt. Carl R. Sanford Jr. has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Knox, Ky.

Sanford is the son of Carl Sanford of Newcastle and is a 2002 grduate of Newcastle High School.

Pvt. Benjamin Q. Liesenfeld has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Knox, Ky.

Liesenfeld is the son of Rick and Cathy Liesenfeld of Dubois.

Pvt. Jerod L. Imlay has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

Imlay is the son of Geoff and Deborah Imlay of Thayne.

Air Force

Airman Russell J. Wood 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.

Wood is the son of Sherri and James Wood of Sheridan and a 2002 graduate of Sheridan High School.

Airman 1st Class Samuel D. Kaszuba has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

Kaszuba graduated in 1995 from Cheyenne Central High School and received a bachelor's degree in 2000 from the University of Wyoming.

Airman 1st Class Nicholas A. Ryland has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

Ryland is the son of Robert Ryland of Cheyenne, graduated in 1999 from Cheyenne East High School, and received a bachelor's degree in 2003 from George Fox University, Newberg, Ore.

*RETURNS FROM DEPLOYMENT: Army Reserve Maj. Brian E. Austin has returned to the U.S. from an overseas forward-deployed location where the soldier participated in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Operation Enduring Freedom is the official name given to anti-terrorism military operations involving U.S. troops and allied coalition partners. Reserve component members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces have been mobilized, activated and deployed to support the war against global terrorism outside the borders of the United States. U.S. troops serve in Southwest Asia, the Arabian peninsula, islands in the Pacific, and Europe.

Austin, a certified registered nurse anesthetist, is the son Marvin and Juanita Austin of Rawlins.

The major graduated in 1981 from Rawlins High School, and received a bachelor of nursing degree in 1986 from the University of Wyoming. He earned a medical degree in 1999 from Truman Medical Center School of Nurse Anesthesia, Kansas City, Mo.

*COMMANDANT'S LIST: Air Force Cadet Robert A. Auflick has earned honors with placement on the Commandant's List at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo., for demonstrating excellence in military leadership qualities and maintaining a 3.0 or better military performance average for a semester.

The academy is a four-year military institution of higher learning that provides instruction, education, training and experience in academics, military training, aviation and airmanship programs, physical training, athletic conditioning, and spiritual and ethical development to all cadets. Cadets graduate with the knowledge, character and skills essential to meet the leadership challenges of the 21st century for future career officers in the Air Force.

Auflick is pursuing a bachelor of science degree and recently completed combat survival training as he entered the second year of study at the academy. He also participated in a nine-day Global Engagement field exercise.

The cadet is the son of Bob and Jan Auflick of Casper and is a 2003 graduate of Kelly Walsh High School.

*GRADUATES FROM AIT: Army Pvt. Brandon J. Foster has graduated from the heavy-wheeled vehicle mechanic advanced individual training course at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

The course is designed to train the soldier to perform unit maintenance on heavy duty vehicles, including prime movers designated as more than five tons and associated trailers, such as crane, hoist, and winch assemblies, and material handling equipment; perform maintenance and repaired systems, chassis, and assemblies pertaining to brake, ignition, engine, electrical, axle, hydraulic, transmission, suspension, wheel, and steering.

He is the son of William J. and Kim M. Foster of Gillette and a 2002 graduate of Campbell County High School, Gillette.

*SONS OF CHEYENNE WOMEN DEPLOY: Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Eric M. Sonnie, son of Margaret M. Sonnie of Cheyenne, and Randy W. Sonnie of Sidney, Neb., and Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Anthony E. Deluna, son of Rita M. Hurtado of Cheyenne and Tony Deluna of Oakley, Calif., and more than 2, 200 Marines and Sailors assigned to the 24th Marine

Expeditionary Unit (MEU) recently deployed to Iraq.

The unit will stop at March Air Reserve Base in Southern California for specilaized training in patrolling, operating vehicle checkpoints and responding to threats.

Sonnie's unit is an expeditionary intervention force with the ability to rapidly organize for combat operations in virtually any environment.

MEU's are built around a reinforced infantry battalion, a combat service support element, a reinforced helicopter squadron and a command element. With its complement of fully integrated air and ground forces, Sonnie's unit is ready to conduct real-world operations including amphibious, heliborne and boat raids, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel, noncombatant evacuation operations and humanitarian assistance operations.

Sonnie is a 2002 graduate of Sidney High School of Sidney, Neb. and joined the Marine Corps in December 2002.

Deluna joined the Marine Corps in December 2001.

*ARRIVES FOR DUTY: Air Force Airman 1st Class Matthew S. Houston has arrived for duty at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

Houston is a tactical aircraft maintenance helper assigned to the 52nd Air Maintenance Squadron.

He is the son of Paula J. and Travialle S. Houston of Sheridan. The airman is a 2003 graduate of Big Horn High School.