By Staff
April 20, 2001
Newton County Elementary students participated in "Pennies for Patients" recently. The program raised money for the Mississippi Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Students raised $2,600 for the cause. Janie McMullan's second-grade class raised the most money of any class in the school.
Navy Fireman Gene K. Roberts recently departed on a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean and Arabian Gulf while assigned to the guided missile destroyer USS Benfold, homeported in San Diego.
Roberts is one of more than 10,000 Pacific fleet sailors and Marines deployed aboard the ships of the USS Constellation Carrier Battle Group and USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group. The groups are comprised of nine surface combatants, two submarines, nine aircraft squadrons and one Marine expeditionary unit.
Roberts, a 1998 graduate of Center High School, is the son of Debra E. and Jimmy E. Roberts of Shubuta.
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Rodney Creer recently visited Dubrovnik, Croatia, during a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf while assigned to the guided missile destroyer USS Mitscher, homeported in Norfolk, Va.
While in Dubrovnik, Creer's ship performed numerous community relations projects.
Sailors from Mitscher painted the interior walls of a nursing home and donated clothes, first aid and personal hygiene supplies to a home for people with paralysis and mental retardation. They also donated a sewing machine and a pallet of first aid supplies and personal hygiene items to the Sister for the Charity Catholic boarding home for girls.
Creer is a 1990 graduate of West Kemper High School.
Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Erica D. Hernandez has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization and customs and received special training in human relations.
Hernandez, a 2000 graduate of Meridian High School, is the daughter of Zo Hernandez of Meridian.
Army Sgt. LaShanda S. Trussell has arrived for duty at Miesau Army Depot, Germany.
She is an automated logistical specialist assigned to the 212th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. The sergeant has served on active duty for more than eight years.
Trussell is the daughter of Margaret A. and Billy G. Trussell of Meridian.
Wade and Tracy Rogers represented the Lauderdale County Farm Bureau at the Mississippi Farm Bureau's recent Young Farmers &Ranchers Leadership Conference in Natchez. They were among 60 young farmers and farm wives taking part in the three-day program.
Farm Bureau's annual Young Farmers &Ranchers Leadership Conference is planned and conducted by a 27-member committee which represents all sections of the state and many of the agricultural commodities produced in Mississippi.
Army Reserve Pvt. Syretta T. Smith has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C.
During the training, the soldier received instruction and practice in drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid and Army history and traditions.
Smith, a 1999 graduate of Southeast Lauderdale High School, is the daughter of Bobbye Clark of Meridian.
The Sumter Welcome Center in Cuba, Ala., will observe National Tourism Week May 6-12. The week will include a tourism program and open house at Sumter Welcome Center May 8. Business hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.