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Military news

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 17, 2008

Marine Corps Pvt. Brian P. Mayer has completed 12 weeks of basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, S.C.

In addition to physical conditioning, Mayer spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments which included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat, weapons training, field training, and instruction on the Marine Corps' core values.

Mayer ended the training phase with The Crucible, a 54-hour, team evolution culminating in a ceremony in which recruits are presented the Marine Corps emblem.

Mayer is the son of Sharon D. Atwood of Port Richey and John P. Mayer of Largo.

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Marine Corps Pfc. Eliezer Valentin has completed basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, S.C.

Valentin completed 12 weeks of training in classroom and field assignments that included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training and guidance in personal and professional conduct.

The training phase culminated with The Crucible, a 54-hour team effort, in which the recruits were presented the Marine Corps Emblem.

He is the son of Mildred Rosa of Clearwater and Eliezer Valentin of Palm Harbor.

Valentin is a 2007 graduate of Osceola High School in Seminole.

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Air Force Airman 1st Class Jonathan Valencia has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

During six weeks of training, Valencia 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.

He is the son of Jose and Lilia Valencia of Palm Harbor.

Valencia is a 2006 graduate of Braulio Alonso High School in Tampa.

* * *

Army National Guard Spec. Joseph G. Buttery has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C.

During nine weeks of training, Buttery studied the Army mission, basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

Buttery earned distinction as an honor graduate.

He is the son of Cay Ludden of Belleair. He graduated in 2002 from Clearwater High School and received a bachelor's degree in 2006 from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

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Petty Officer 1st Class Stephen Hartnett, a Clearwater resident and member of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Suncoast Squadron, was recently announced the winner of the "Voice of Democracy" contest for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4364 in St. Petersburg, and District 9.

Hartnett received several plaques and monetary winnings from both the post and regional level on the essay topic "How I Honor American Veterans".

Hartnett also was named cadet of the year for his unit for 2007 and received the Sons of the American Revolution award and medal as well as the U.S. Navy League Teddy Roosevelt Outstanding Cadet of the Year award and medal.

It was announced in January that Hartnett will be returning once again to the Netherlands as an ambassador for the cadet corps. He spent 17 days in the Netherlands last summer and was asked to return this year and take part in a special 10-day sail from the Netherlands to England in July.

He is the son of Stephen and Katie Hartnett of Clearwater, and a junior in the International Baccalaureate program at Palm Harbor University High School,

Hartnett is the lead petty officer for his squad and hopes to attend the United States Naval Academy upon graduation.

[Last modified February 16, 2008, 21:36:50]