Military Spotlight: Vacation offer for military personnel

photo Cmdr. Jason Parmley of Chattanooga adjusts the sight on a .50-caliber machine gun mount during a live fire exercise aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The Ronald Reagan is currently underway, conducting tailored ship's training availability in the Pacific Ocean.

Vacation offer for military personnel

All married U.S. military personnel, past and present, wounded in combat or combat-related activities since Sept. 11, 2001, are encouraged to fill out an Operation Heal Our Patriots application for a free week for you and your spouse in a wilderness retreat in Alaska this summer. Samaritan's Purse International Relief will select 150 couples for the week-long vacations that begin in June.

The application is available online at samaritanspurse.org/patriots.

For more information or to connect with previous participants, check the Facebook page at facebook.com/operationhealourpatriots.


Wright named honor recruit

Jacob Wright of Chattanooga has been selected as Division Honor Recruit of Naval Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes.

His selection was based on "individual performance of duties in all phases of training including: leadership, initiative, military bearing, response to orders, sportsmanship, qualification of good shipmate and high overall scholastic standing."


Complete basic training

* Fort Benning: Army National Guard Pfc. William L. Sexton III, son of Diane and William Sexton Jr., graduate of Tennessee Temple Academy.

* San Antonio-Lackland Air Force Base: Airman Ryan P. Garvey, son of Lisa and Joseph Garvey of Graysville, Tenn., graduate of Sequatchie County High School; Air Force Airman 1st Class Joe H. Muir, son of Harold Muir of South Pittsburg, Tenn., and Debra Muir of Bridgeport, Ala., graduate of Marion County High School; Airman 1st Class Reagan A. Weathers, son of Wendell Weathers and Andrea Long, graduate of Soddy-Daisy High School.

Airman 1st Class Tyler May, son of Jerry May and Rachel May, graduate of Bradley Central High School; Airman Michael L. Hendon, son of Marla Robinson of Dayton, Tenn., and Ronald Hendon of Graysville, graduate of Rhea County High School; Airman 1st Class Andrew M. Braud, son of Elizabeth Braud of Ringgold, Ga.


Active-duty eligible for counseling

Beginning Monday, active-duty service members who served in combat or in a war zone will be able to get counseling through the Chattanooga Vet Center's Readjustment Counseling Services, 951 Eastgate Loop Road, Building 5700, Suite 300.

Services include: individual, group and family readjustment counseling; post-traumatic stress disorder treatment and support; and military sexual trauma counseling for males and females.

Active-duty members will be required to provide documentation by their third visit indicating time in a combat zone for continued Vet Center services. A copy of one of the following documents will meet this requirement: DD-21, deployment demobilization order, enlisted record brief/officer record brief, or an award citation indicating service in a combat zone.

Counseling services are also available to family members of active duty personnel who have served in combat as well as all veterans who have deployed.

The Chattanooga Vet Center is extending its operating hours on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday until 7:30 p.m., in addition to regular operating hours Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Active-duty service members or veterans needing more information should call the Chattanooga Vet Center at 423-855-6570.

- Compiled by staff writer Susan Pierce

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