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David D. Kunick has been promoted to the rank of major in the U.S. Air Force. Kunick, an executive officer with 19 years of military service, is assigned to the Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill Air Force Base, Ogden, UT. He is the son of Mary and Joe Glasson of L’Anse, and brother of Bill Kunick & Tom Kunick of Henderson, NV.

Air Force Airman Greg M. Pirkola has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. He is the son of Paul and Susan McDonald, L’Anse.
During the six weeks of training, the airman 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.
In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. He will graduate technical school this week.
Pirkola is a 2008 graduate of L’Anse High School.

1SG James E. Baker, of L’Anse, retires after a career in the National Guard that spans five decades. Baker first joined the U.S. Army in May of 1967 and served two years in Vietnam with the 525 Military Intelligence Special Operations Group and was released from the reserves in 1973.
After a long break in service he joined Company A, 107th Engineer Battalion of the Michigan Army National Guard in 1984 where he has served ever since until this month when he reached the mandatory retirement age.
Baker has served as Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant and finally as Company First Sergeant for the past ten years. Baker has served two tours of duty in Vietnam and one in Iraq with additional short tours in Panama and Latvia.
During his career 1SG Baker has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, as well as numerous other awards. In civilian life, Baker and his wife Ruth own and operate In The Mind’s Eye in L’Anse.

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SGT Ralph Bemis of L’Anse deployed again to Iraq on Nov. 22, 2008. Bemis is an Active Duty five-year veteran of the Army and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Bemis was recalled to Active Duty on Sept. 14, 2008, for training before augmenting the 146 Expeditionary Signal Battalion of the Florida National Guard.

AT EASE--Brothers Ronnie Chagnon, left, U.S. Army, and Travis Franti, U.S. Marine Corps, of Watton returned home from Basic Training in time for Christmas.

Navy Reserve Seaman Recruit Terrance Cranford, son of Tracy Kahkonen of L’Anse, and John Cranford of Hancock, recently completed US Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL. During the eight-week program, Cranford completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.
The capstone event of boot camp is “Battle Stations”. This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. “Battle Stations” is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Cranford is a 2006 graduate of L’Anse High School.

Adam Rulison graduated from the United States Coast Guard Boot Camp on Dec. 19, 2008, at the Cape May, NJ, training center. Seaman Apprentice Rulison is currently attending “A” School at the USCG Training Center in Yorktown, VA, and will graduate on Apr. 10, 2009.
Upon graduating, Rulison will be stationed at Saginaw River, Essexville, MI, as a machinery technician.
Adam is the son of Linda and Dave Rulison of Tapiola.

A.I.T Graduate

Private Michael S. Seratti, an Iron River National Guard member graduated from Advanced Individual Training (AIT) in Fort Leonardwood, MO on March 11 as a heavy equipment operator. He will undertake extended special Focus Battle Training (FBT). He finished basic training at Fort Jackson, SC last December. Seratti is the son of Jeannine A. Seratti and the grandparents of the late Jerry and Alyce Seratti of L’Anse.

Shown above is Lance Corpal Shayn Foucault watching a sunset in Al Asad, Iraq. In photo below, on the left is Corpal Beaty of Miami, FL, and on right is Lance Corpal Foucault.
Foucault is a 2006 graduate of L’Anse High School, now in the United States Marine Corps, serving in Iraq. He is the son of Steve and Deanna Foucault, of L’Anse.