Shameire earns Army medal
Army Pfc. Ashley W. Shameire has been decorated with the Army Achievement Medal.
The medal is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces, who while serving in any capacity with the Army, distinguish themselves while serving in a combat or non-combat area.
Shameire is a food service specialist assigned to the 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.
She is the daughter of Tina C. Cobb, a graduate of Howard High School, and received an associate's degree from Miller-Motte College.
Siler retires from Air Force
Master Sgt. Donna Mischelle Siler of Dunlap, Tenn., daughter of Linda Swafford Long, has retired from the U.S. Air Force after 24 years of service.
The Lookout Valley High School graduate began her Air Force career in 1987 on a dare by her brother, Andy Long of Dunlap, who had already joined the Air Force.
After completing basic training, she served 10 years as an information management specialist at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, and NATO Air Base, Geilenkirchen, Germany.
While in Germany, she auditioned for and won a vocalist position with Tops in Blue 1995, the Air Force's elite worldwide touring/performing group.
Siler briefly returned to the information management field and was assigned to Cannon Air Force Base, Clovis, N.M., before rejoining Tops in Blue in 1996.
Following her 1996 tour, she won an audition with the U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty at Hanscom Air Force Base, Boston, and retrained from information management into the Air Force Band career field.
Her assignments were to Yokota Air Base, Tokyo; Sembach Air Base, Germany; and Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, where she volunteered for a deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan.
A retirement ceremony was held in her honor at Lackland Air Force Base. The officiating officer was Lt. Col. Alan C. Sierichs, retired Air Force Band Commander. Siler was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
Fullam commissioned
Haden M. Fullam 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 the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
Fullam is the son of Mark and Nancy Fullam of Rising Fawn, Ga., and is a graduate of McCallie School.
Free concert honors Veterans
Chattanooga Symphony and Opera orchestra will present a free Veterans Day concert on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. in Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave.
Garner receives veterans award
Steve A. Garner, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, has been named the 27th recipient of the annual Palmer, Tenn., Veterans Appreciation Award. The award, sponsored by Citizens Tri-County Bank, will be presented on Veterans Day by town historian David Patton.
Garner is a 1963 graduate of Grundy County High School and served in the Marines 1963-1967. He was stationed with the 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa during the Vietnam War, then at Quonset Point, R.I., Naval Air Station.
Mall hosts veterans event
Veterans and their families are invited to attend "Veteran Friendly Chattanooga" on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. at Hamilton Place mall near JC Penney.
The event is to thank military-friendly employers for giving veterans a chance for a better future.
This event is sponsored by VetForce1, an organization that assists veterans in making a successful transition from military service to civilian life through programs and services.
Celebrate Sunday in Ringgold
As part of its annual Fall Festival of Flags, the city of Ringgold, Ga., and the Ringgold Downtown Development Authority will host a Veterans Day Celebration on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Ringgold Depot, corner of Depot Street and U.S. 41 in Ringgold.
The free event will feature a patriotic performance by the Jericho Brass.
For more information, call 706-935-3061.
Military reunion
USS Tarawa Veterans Association is holding its 24th annual reunion in Pensacola, Fla., April 25-28, 2013.
For more information, e-mail Walter Tothero at walsue@accelplus.net or call Ken Underdown, 215-547-0245.
Haggar, Belk pair to help veterans
Haggar and Belk have partnered to help the Purple Heart Service Foundation gather gently used clothing for resale to benefit veterans in need and their families.
Customers who donate pants for recycling may purchase any new Haggar casual or dress pants for $24.99.
The offer is good through Saturday at all participating Belk stores. Offer is not valid on haggar.com, belk.com or at any outlet or factory store locations.
Cleveland State honors veterans Monday
Cleveland State Community College's Veterans Affairs Department, along with the Social Work Club, is sponsoring a Veteran's Day ceremony on Monday at 11 a.m. in front of the L. Quentin Lane Gymnasium.
The event will honor members of CSCC's faculty, staff, student body and community members who have served or are serving in the armed forces.
The program will include musical entertainment by Vocal Rhapsody, presentation of the colors by Bradley Central High School's ROTC program and welcome by CSCC President Carl Hite. Cleveland State's Campus Kitchen will provide one free drink to anyone who is a veteran on the day of the event.
For more information, contact Ray Goad at 472-7141, ext. 265.
Basic Training
* Fort Benning: Army National Guard Spec. Michael S. Spence, son of Mickey Spence, graduate of Ooltewah High School and Middle Tennessee State University; Army Pfc. James M. Fleming, son of Adonya Fleming, graduate of Brainerd High School.
* Fort Jackson: Army Pvt. Donavon J. Armour, son of Keesha Marshall, graduate of Tennessee Temple Academy; Army National Guard Pvt. Christopher L. Phinizey, son of Christopher Phinizey Sr., graduate of Hixson High School; Army Pvt. Chinna Phillips, daughter of Vickey Lansden and Eric Phillips, homeschooled.
Army Pvt. Aaron Turnmire, son of Kim Turnmire and Janet Turnmire, graduate of Ridgeland High School; Army National Guard Pvt. Samuel E. Leonard, son of Edward Leonard and Kaye Crawford, both of Ringgold, graduate of Ringgold High School.
* Lackland Air Force Base: Air Force Airman Michael H. Durland, son of Connie Dalton of Athens, Tenn., graduate of McMinn County High School; Air Force Airman Mary E. Crouse, daughter of Stefan Riddle, homeschooled; Air Force Airman Timothy D. Smith, son of Timothy and Denise Smith of LaFayette, Ga., graduate of LaFayette High School.
Air Force Airman Madeline J. Edwards, daughter of Joan and Melvin Edwards Jr. of Ringgold, graduate of Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School; Air Force Airman 1st Class Zachary S. Tilson, son of Lois Tilson of Chatsworth, Ga., graduate of Murray County High School and the University of Georgia; Air Force Airman Dillon O. Cole, son of Jim Cole, graduate of Ooltewah High School; and Air Force Airman 1st Class Kristyn N. Fox, daughter of Bill and Gina Fox, graduate of Red Bank High School.