We always hear interesting bits of news about local service people. What else should we expect from a military town. From messages about new recruits to details of promotions and moves to new bases, folks serving in the military have proud family and friends here. What better way to pay tribute to people with local connections than by dedicating this column to the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines? And we can’t fail to mention those in the Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.

Marine Corps Pvt. John E. Sylvester, a 1999 graduate of Oak Harbor High School, recently completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego.

Also joining the Marines, Marine Corps Pfc. Daniel J. Shannon, son of Christine M. and Dennis E. Shannon, of Oak Harbor completed basic military training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. Shannon is a 1999 graduate of Oak Harbor High School.

More local service men and women are in the headlines. Military press releases are spreading the word about the good jobs done by our local servicemembers.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris S. Hall, son of Linda D. Nelli of Coupeville and Gerald M. Hall of Bellingham, recently returned from a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf while assigned to the guided missile frigate USS Ingraham, home ported in Everett. Hall’s ship was one of the first to respond to our nation’s call to fight terrorism, proudly participating in Operation Enduring Freedom. Hall joined the Navy in March 1990.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Thomas M. Stanalonis, son of Luz M. Stanalonis of Oak Harbor, completed Strong Resolve ‘02 aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Donald Cook, home ported in Norfolk, Va. Stanalonis was one of more than 26,000 military personnel participating in one of the largest NATO exercises since the end of the cold war. Strong Resolve occurs every four years and is the capstone in NATO’s training cycle. Stanalonis joined the Navy in February 1997.

“Oak Harbor sailor helps out during Operation Enduring Freedom”, features Navy Seaman Mara L. Anderton, a sailor aboard the USS Carl Vinson. As a master-at-arms, Anderton works in the ship’s police department as general security and trains her shipmates in anti-terrorism tactics. Anderton is the 20-year-old daughter of Nathan Anderton of Oak Harbor, and said of her experience of working on a naval vessel, “The most rewarding thing about being on the Carl Vinson was just having the opportunity to serve my country, while getting to learn and doing the job I love,” said Anderton, one of the 5,500 Vinson sailors.

Air Force Capt. Wendy Wasik, daughter of Neal and Carole Amtmann of Coupeville “isn’t worried if the car will break down, how she’ll deal with the separation or if she’s lonely with her husband gone. She has a whole new set of worries because her husband, Capt. Donald Wasik, is also deployed and flying combat missions.” Wendy, a 1987 graduate of Coupeville High School, is a C-13 aircraft commander and flight safety officer. The couple is assigned to the expeditionary airlift squadron and are deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from the 50th Airlift Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

“Oak Harbor sailor helps uphold military law,” tells the tale of Oak Harbor’s George P. Taylor, a Navy Petty Officer 1st Class sailor on board the USS Carl Vinson, who works on board as a military police officer. Taylor helped maintain a lawful environment on the Vinson, thus contributing to the focus and mental readiness of the 5,500 sailors onboard. “I loved participating in Operation Enduring Freedom. The people who destroyed the World Trade Center made a huge mistake in attacking this country,” Taylor said.

“I am very proud to be a member of the world’s finest Navy. Operation Enduring Freedom has changed the world forever.” 31-year-old Taylor is the son of Clasina Taylor of Oak Harbor.

Another Vinson sailor, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class David L. Dato, the 42-year-old son of Beneta Eubanks of Oak Harbor, is a storekeeper who is responsible for ensuring that all repair parts and general supplies for the ship are accurately ordered, received and issued. Along with these duties, storekeepers are also air cargo specialists, organizing and supervising the loading of aircraft with needed supply materials. A 1978 graduate of Oak Harbor High School, the 1- year Navy veteran was featured in the article, “Oak Harbor Sailor Returns Home from America’s War on Terrorism.” The most rewarding aspect of the deployment for Dato was “to have been on a deployment that has made history. Somehow the feeling is great, when you realize that the whole world has recognized the greatness of the deployment,” Dato said.

Air Force Airman Nathan A. Streight has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman is a 2001 graduate of Oak Harbor High School.

Navy Airman Jose A. Morris, son of Milagros C. and Edward R. Morris of Oak Harbor, recently departed to the Asia/Pacific region following an unexpected deployment change while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. Morris is a 1998 graduate of Oak Harbor High School and joined the Navy in May 2001.

Navy Fireman Lloyd W. Dleckman, son of Coral J. and Byron L. Dleckman of Oak Harbor also departed to the Asia/Pacific region while assigned to the carrier USS Kitty Hawk. He and his shipmates will conduct training exercises with allies in the Western Pacific and be ready to respond to emergency national tasks where needed. Dleckman joined the Navy in April 2002.

Navy Cmdr. Stephen J. Holman, son of Susan K. and A.J. Holman of Oak Harbor, recently reported for duty at National Naval Medical Center Bethesda, Md. Holman is a 1974 graduate of Oak Harbor High School and joined the Navy in July 1974. He is a graduate of U.S. Naval Academy, Md.