MSVC News – Mahoning and Shenango Valleys Chapter

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January 19, 2024 - MSVC Welcomes Ohio Guard for Camp Garfield Presentation

MSVC Welcomes Ohio Guard for Camp Garfield Presentation
By David J. DiTallo, 1stVP

Despite several inches of snow and school closures throughout the area, Mahoning and Shenango Valleys Chapter - Military Officers Association of America (MSVC MOAA) braved the winter season’s first significant snowfall to kick off calendar year 2024. Thirty-two chapter members and five guests were on hand to learn the history and current goings-on of Camp James A. Garfield Joint Maneuver Training Center.

Chapter member LTC Shaun Robinson, Ohio Army National Guard and Camp Garfield’s commander explained the evolution of site from a World War II era munitions factory (aka “The Ravenna Arsenal”) to its present day mission of providing enhanced training environments for armed forces units, state and local law enforcement, and emergency management teams.

Ownership of the facility is still retained by the federal government, but it is under the day-to-day-management and operation of Ohio’s Army National Guard. About eighty percent of the camp’s funding comes from federal monies through the National Guard Bureau, with the rest funded by the state.

Great presentation, Sean, and thank you!

LTC Robinson was accompanied by fellow guardsman BG Andrew Stone, who discussed some areas of concern he has for Ohio National Guard and armed forces recruiting. He also pointed out how organizations like MOAA and MSVC can be a valuable partner in identifying and encouraging young men and women to consider joining.

In other business, President Rod Hosler presented Don Rasile with his certificate of Chapter Life Membership. Chapter Life Members are MOAA Life Members with at least five years in MSVC and are age 85 or greater. They are exempt from further MSVC dues. If you qualify, please notify 2ndVP Florence Hosler.

The chapter’s 50/50 Cadet Fund Raffle winner was Mrs. Ilona Mihai, and the door prize (book) was won by MSVC Chaplain Ralph Minton.

Lastly, the chapter welcomed retired U.S. Army major Michael Frick, guest of Mike and Barb Wisniewski, who we hope will consider joining MOAA and MSVC.

MSVC’s next event is a February 16 Lunch Meeting with chapter member Rick Williams presenting a program on Youngstown State University Veterans Affairs. As always, reservations are due the Monday prior to msvcmoaa@gmail.com, (330) 788-3270, or online at https://msvc-moaa.org/next-chapter-event.

See you next month!

May 12, 2022 - Jack Russell Honored as 2021 UVC Veteran of the Year

VETERAN OF THE YEAR
Jack Russell

At the May 12, 2022, United Veterans Council 81st Anniversary Recognition and Awards Banquet, MSVC member Jack Russell was honored as the 2021 UVC Veteran of the Year. The event was held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Center in Austintown, OH.

Jack Russell was born in Erie, Pennsylvania and moved to Boardman, Ohio in 1954. He graduated from Boardman High School in 1962 and while at Boardman. Jack was a significant contributing offensive and defensive player on Boardman's 1961 undefeated football team. He attended Bowling Green State University and graduated in 1966 with a degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation he was commissioned as a graduate of Bowling Green's ROTC program as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. While in the Air Force Jack was assigned to the 657th Radar Squadron in Houma, Louisiana. He was the Unit Support Officer and commanded the operations for the Air Force Station. Jack was also assigned to the 14th Air Force Tactical Evaluation Team, a no notice combat inspection team that evaluated combat readiness of all Fighter Interceptor Bases, Wings, Groups and Squadrons of the Air Force and Air National Guard under the command of 14th Air Force. During his active duty he was recognize as the Outstanding Supply Officer of 14th Air Force and a recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal. Following his active duty, Major Russell served as the Supply Management Officer for the Pennsylvania Air National Guard's 112th Fighter Interceptor Group (F102's) and then the 112th Tactical Fighter Group (Corsair A-7 Fighter Bombers) until his military retirement in December of 1987.

Upon his active-duty discharge in 1970 he moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to work for IBM Corporation. While at IBM Corporation, Jack specialized in sales of computer systems to first time corporate users through 1977. While at IBM he was honored to selected to a present a recently-introduced computer system to the Board of Directors at the Annual Stockholders Meeting in New York City.

Jack returned to Boardman in January 1978 where he and his brother acquired the family business from their father. He and his brother took their business, Canteen Service of Steel Valley successfully through the disastrous steel closings with sustained growth. In 2002, Canteen was recognized by the Better Business Bureau with the highly esteemed Torch Award. Jack also implemented in the early 90's the first industry-based product specific handheld computer system in the United States. This computer system set industry standards for the next 10 years in sales and product management, and inventory controls. Jack retired in 2008 after 31 years.

He has served as a member of the Boardman Rotary Club and is a member of the Salem Rotary Club and has President in both organizations. Jack has also served as a foreman for the Mahoning County Grand Jury and he is a graduate of the Leadership of Mahoning Valley Class of 1989-90. He has traveled to Africa, Russia, Mexico and Guatemala in efforts to provide medical services or supplies to communities in need. Jack was stricken with Polio in 1952 prior to the Salk vaccine. He was a patient at the Shiners Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania and was one of the few who made a full recovery. He continues to support Rotary International's effort to eliminate Polio in the world.

Jack has served as a member of the Youngstown Air Reserve Base Community Council since 1987, Military Officers Association of America — Mahoning and Shenango Valleys Chapter, the Mentor for the Mahoning County Common Pleas Veterans Honor Court and American Lesion Post 15, Poland, Ohio.

He has one daughter, Kellie Ingalls and son-in-law Aaron and a grandson Aaron currently living in Berlin, Ohio. Jack is married to Sandra Aulisio of Austintown and also has the pleasure of having Sandy's mentally challenged sister, Francine living with them in Boardman, Ohio.

February 19, 2021 - MSVC Learns Being Dead is No Excuse

MSVC Learns Being Dead is No Excuse
February 24, 2021
by David J. Di Tallo

(Canfield, OH) Benjamin Franklin famously stated in a 1789 letter that nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. At its monthly luncheon meeting on February 19, Mahoning and Shenango Valleys Chapter – Military Officers Association of American (MSVC-MOAA) learned an important addendum, namely that being dead is no excuse.

In its largest turnout in over a year, nineteen chapter members, nine spouses, and three guests were on hand for a workshop devoted to survivor planning and veterans’ benefits at A La Cart Catering in Canfield, Ohio. Two chapter members also joined in via Zoom (from sunny Florida!).

The chapter’s newly appointed Surviving Spouse Liaison and current Treasurer and Newsletter Editor Florence Hosler planned the event, making use of her personal experiences, as well as MOAA guides and on-line forums. She began by sharing several insights from Margareta Magnusson’s 2018 book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter, which is available from Amazon in hard cover, paperback, audio, and Kindle.

Hosler also reviewed two valuable tools MOAA makes available free of charge to Premium and Life Members, its Personal Affairs Guide: A Personal Inventory for Peace of Mind (2017) and Survivor’s Planning Guide: A Handbook for One of Life’s Toughest Assignments (2019). Each contain advice and fill-in checklists members can use to organize vital documents and end-of-life planning decisions, as well as service points of contact, DEERS, and DFAS telephone numbers survivors WILL need following a service member, retiree, or veterans death.

Also presenting during the workshop was Mahoning County Veterans Services Commission Director Susan Krawchyk, who provided an overview of the commission’s work and explained what services veterans and their survivors are entitled to. She emphasized the importance of having a copy of a veteran’s DD-214 form readily available, and that veterans residents of Mahoning County are eligible for a six hundred dollar burial stipend.

Ms. Krawchyk was followed by Department of the Army contractor Melissa Wise, one of seven state-wide coordinators for its Survivor Outreach Services program. Ms. Wise explained the program helps survivors of service members or veterans stay connected with someone past the Casualty Assistance Officer period, who can connect them with federal, state, local, and private resources.

To wrap up the workshop, chapter President Rod Hosler gave an overview of veterans’ and surviving spouse benefits, including burial benefits from Department of Veterans Affairs and the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, OH. He also distributed copies of Planning Your Legacy: VA Survivors and Burial Benefits Kit, published by the VA.

You may retrieve the above listed references on the Surviving Spouses page of our chapter website!

January 15, 2021 - Mayor Duffett Installs MSVC Officers

by David J. Di Tallo

(Canfield, OH) Mahoning and Shenango Valleys Chapter – Military Officers Association of American (MSVC-MOAA) began the new calendar year by welcoming several guests and installing new Officers and Board Members at its January 15 lunch meeting at La Carte Catering in Canfield, Ohio.

Fifteen members and spouses were on hand to welcome guest Richard Duffett, Mayor of Canfield, to swear in returning Board Members-at-Large David Di Tallo and Ralph DeLucia and current Treasurer Florence Hosler as Surviving Spouse Liaison. Mayor Duffett is a 1981 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and served on active duty for as a Surface Warfare Officer assigned to USS DWIGHT D EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and USS FRANCIS HAMMOND (FF 1067). After leaving active duty, he began a career in safety and emergency management before being elected mayor in 2017.

The chapter also welcomed as a guest retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Brian M. Kennedy. Col. Kennedy graduated from Poland Seminary High School in 1984, was commissioned in 1989 through Navy ROTC at The Ohio State University, and served a career as a Naval Aviator flying the AH-1W COBRA attack helicopter. Since retiring in 2014, he has been appointed to the Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission and is President of Kennedy Trucking in Youngstown.

The chapter’s final guest and speaker was former naval officer Stephen Brown, whose service included duty on small surface combatants conducting anti-infiltration patrols off the North Vietnamese coast during the Vietnam War. In 1973, his ship cleared key North Vietnamese ports of active U.S. mines as part of the Paris Peace Accords ending the conflict and enabling the release of American prisoners of war. He is currently owns and operates Oak Tree Hydroponics Farm in Akron, providing communities and restaurants with superior-grade lettuce and is the author of three novels.

Captions (photos by Mike Wisniewski and Bruce Bille):

Jan 2021 Mtg 1. MSVC-MOAA President Rod Hosler presents a flag stand to January 15 lunch meeting speaker Stephen Brown.
Jan 2021 Mtg 2. MSVC-MOAA President Rod Hosler (center) and Board Member at Large David Di Tallo (right) welcome guest Colonel Brian Kennedy, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret) to its January 15 lunch meeting.
Jan 2021 Mtg 3. Mayor of Canfield Richard Duffett (right) administers the oath of office to new MSVC-MOAA Officers and Board Members (from left to right) Ralph DeLucia, David Di Tallo, and Florence Hosler at the chapter’s January 15 lunch meeting.
Jan 2021 Mtg 4. Mayor of Canfield Richard Duffett (right) administers the oath of office to new MSVC-MOAA Officers and Board Members (from left to right) Ralph DeLucia, David Di Tallo, and Florence Hosler at the chapter’s January 15 lunch meeting.
Jan 2021 Mtg 5. Mayor of Canfield Richard Duffett (right) congratulates Florence Hosler with a fist bump after accepting the oath of office at the chapter’s January 15 lunch meeting.
Jan 2021 Mtg 6. Mayor of Canfield Richard Duffett (right) congratulates David Di Tallo with a fist bump after accepting the oath of office at the chapter’s January 15 lunch meeting.
Jan 2021 Mtg 7. Mayor of Canfield Richard Duffett (right) congratulates Ralph DeLucia with a fist bump after accepting the oath of office at the chapter’s January 15 lunch meeting.
Jan 2021 Mtg 8. MSVC-MOAA President Rod Hosler (right) presents a chapter coin to Canfield Mayor and guest Richard Duffett (left) at its January 15 lunch meeting.

January 5, 2021 - New Youngstown VA Clinic Named After MSVC Member Maj. Carl Nunziato, USA, Ret.

It’s official! The U.S. Senate has adopted legislation to rename the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Youngstown after Vietnam veteran and MOAA-MSVC Member Major Carl Nunziato, USA, Ret. of Boardman. “Carl Nunziato is a true son of Ohio and an American patriot who deserves this honor. I’m proud that my Senate colleagues passed this important legislation to name the Veterans Affairs clinic after Major Nunziato,” said U.S. Sen. Rob Portman in the news release. The bill was signed by President Donald J. Trump on January 5, 2021.

Nunziato was seriously wounded resulting in the amputation of both legs. Returning home, Carl studied law and earned his degree in 1971 from the Case Western Reserve University’s School of Law. He was instrumental in getting the current clinic at 2031 Belmont Ave. built in 1991 and the new, larger facility at 1815 Belmont Ave., about a half-mile from the existing location.

Due to his continuous work throughout Mahoning County, there are now curb cuts, wheel chair ramps and other accessibility measures in county public buildings, universities and courthouses, and, in May 2018, the Veterans Resource Center at Youngstown State University was named for him.

For his service on active duty, Nunziato has been honored with the Bronze Star, Air Medal, Purple Heart, Vietnam Campaign Medal with three Battle Stars and other awards.

For his service to the community, he has been inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.

The new U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs clinic costs $24.75 million, and will be 40,561 square feet with the clinic taking up 38,319 square feet. One of 18 VA medical clinics locations in northeast Ohio, it will provide primary, mental health and specialty care to more than 10,500 area veterans each year.

September 24, 2020 - MSVC-MOAA Chapter Receives Awards

MSVC-MOAA Chapter Receives Awards
September 24, 2020
By David J. Di Tallo

(Boardman, OH) The Mahoning and Shenango Valleys Chapter –Military Officers Association of America (MSVC-MOAA) received several prestigious, national level awards for its programs and members for calendar year 2019.

Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Rod Hosler, President of MOAA’s Ohio Council of Chapter, presented the Five Star Level of Excellence (LOE) Award to MSVC First Vice President and former U.S. Navy Lieutenant Bruce Bille at the chapter’s September 24 dinner meeting at Boardman Township Park’s Elton Beard Cabin. The award recognizes the most outstanding chapters and state councils for their efforts in such areas as recruiting and retention, legislative affairs, youth programs, and support to local communities and veterans.

The youngest of Ohio’s chapters and chartered in 2011, the chapter has previously garnered three Four Star and four Five Star Level of Excellence awards.

Also presented on September 24 was MSVC’s fourth MOAA Five Star Harris Communications Award, which recognizes excellence in chapter and council websites and newsletters. The award is named in honor of Colonel Marvin J. Harris, USAF (Ret), MOAA’s Director of Public Relations from 1996 until 2011.

MSVC chapter member Mrs. Janet Oglesby was in attendance and recognized for receiving MOAA’s Outstand Service Award. A founding member of the chapter, she was a guiding force in its development and served for many years as a member of the Board of Directors, Secretary, Newsletter Editor, and Director of Surviving Spouses Services.

MOAA is the nation's largest and most influential association of military officers. It is an independent, nonprofit, politically nonpartisan organization with more than 350,000 members from every branch of service - including active duty, National Guard, Reserve, retired, former officers, and their families, advocating for a strong national defense and representing the interests of military officers at every stage of their careers.

The chapter’s next meeting is Thursday, October 22. For details and reservations, contact chapter Treasurer Florence Hosler at hoslerfm@zoominternet.net or (330) 788-3270.

Photo Caption (photos by Mike Wisniewski):

MOAA Ohio Council of Chapters President awards the Five Star Level of Excellence Award to Mahoning and Shenango Valleys Chapter First Vice President Bruce Bille at the September 24 dinner meeting. The award recognizes the most outstanding chapters and state councils for their efforts in recruiting and retention, legislative affairs, youth programs, and support to local communities and veterans.
MOAA Ohio Council of Chapters President Rod Hosler awards the Five Star Harris Communications Award to Mahoning and Shenango Valleys Chapter Webmaster Bruce Bille at its September 24 dinner meeting. The award recognizes outstanding chapter and state council websites and newsletters.
Mrs. Janet Oglesby, a founding member of the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys Chapter, received the MOAA Outstanding Award for her many years of service as a member of the Board of Directors, Secretary, Newsletter Editor, and Director of Surviving Spouse Affairs.

September 24, 2020 - MSVC-MOAA Welcomes J/ROTC Guests

MSVC-MOAA Welcomes J/ROTC Guests
September 24, 2020
By David J. Di Tallo

The coronavirus (COVID 19) may have cancelled the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys Chapter – Military Officers Association of America’s annual Cadet Night Dinner, but members were able to welcome local high school and college ROTC guests at its recent dinner meeting on Thursday, September 24.

With twenty-one of members in attendance, the chapter welcomed its 2019-2020 ROTC Medal winner and three new area instructors for a buffet dinner at the Elton Beard Cabin at Boardman Township Park. Dinner was provided by A La Carte Catering of Canfield, OH.

Third year Army ROTC Cadet Ting-Yu Chiu from Youngstown State University attended, having previously received his medal, certificate, and three hundred dollar cash prize in May through then-Assistant Professor of Military Science Joseph Paydock via on online ceremony. Cadet Chiu majors in criminal justice and law enforcement, and he is also enlisted in the Ohio National Guard. As he explained during dinner, even though he assigned to a Military Police Company in Austintown, his ROTC duties and classes come first. He expects to graduate in 2022 and hopes to commission into the Aviation Branch.

The chapter also welcomed retired USAF Senior Master Sargent Tom Marhulik, Aerospace Science Instructor at the newly formed Air Force Junior ROTC unit at Austintown Fitch High School. SMSgt Marhulik graduated from Matthews High School in 1984 and enlisted in the Air Force the same year, eventually qualifying as a C-130H Loadmaster with the 910th Airlift Wing, Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Vienna, OH. He retired in 2017. The chapter is looking forward to learning more about his JROTC unit and including them in our annual awards program in 2021. Each spring MSVC awards a MOAA JROTC Medal and a fifty dollar cash award to a deserving area high school cadet.

Also on hand were two new Army ROTC instructors from Youngstown State University. Recently retired Lieutenant Colonel David Simms is the new contracted Military Science Instructor back-filling Joseph Paydock, who took another position within YSU this year. LTC Simms is coming off his tour as the Professor of Military Science at Kent State University, the parent command for YSU Army ROTC, so he is well acquainted with YSU and the ROTC program. The former Armor Officer continues to reside in Kent, OH, where he coaches youth hockey and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Global Leadership and Change Theory with Tiffin University.

Brand new to the area are Major Jared Elliss, USA and his wife Allyson, who recently arrived from Fort Bliss, TX. MAJ Elliss is an Ordnance Officer and the new Assistant Professor of Military Science/Chairperson, Department of Military Science at YSU. He and Allyson recently bought a home in Liberty and have an eighteen month old son, Gabriel.

Once again, through the generosity of its members and the United Services Automobile Association (USAA), MSVC was able to sponsor all its guests and cadet awards without having to dip into its financial reserves. Each year the chapter solicits contributions through its “Buy a Cadet Dinner” Program, which remains ongoing. Members can make donations in conjunction with their annual dues, upon check-in for monthly events, or at any other time by contacting Treasurer Florence Hosler at hoslerfm@zoominternet.net or (330) 788-3270.

Photo Captions (photos by Mike Wisniewski):

MSVC-MOAA Board Member and Director for Student Affairs David J Di Tallo welcomes retired U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sargent Tom Marhulik at the chapter’s September 24 dinner meeting. SMSgt Marhulik is the Aerospace Instructor at the newly established Air Force Junior ROTC unit at Austintown Fitch High School.
MSVC-MOAA President Rod Hosler presents its 2019-2020 MOAA ROTC Medal to YSU Army ROTC (third year) Cadet Ting-Yu Chiu at the chapter’s September 24 dinner meeting. At right is incoming Assistant Professor or Military Science and Chairperson, Department of Military Science Major Jared Elliss, U.S. Army.
Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel David Simms, newly-arrived Assistant Professor of Military Science, Youngstown State University Army ROTC joined the MSVC-MOAA at their September 24 dinner meeting for local high school and college ROTC students and instructors.

October 20, 2020 - Local MOAA Chapter Goes Virtual with U.S. Space Command

By David J. Di Tallo

(Canfield, OH) The Mahoning and Shenango Valleys Chapter –Military Officers Association of America (MSVC-MOAA) had a virtual briefing from U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM) at its monthly meeting on October 16.

Twenty four members and one guest, Mr. James Young, attended. Mr. Young served in the U.S. Air Force and was a founding member of the Trumbull County Veterans Service Commission.

Following lunch, the chapter heard from Captain Amy Soileau, a member of the Commander’s Action Group and Speechwriter for the Deputy Commander, USSPACECOM, via a video connection. She provided an overview of USSPACECOM, including its mission, history, and organization.

In its current configuration, USSPACECOM is the nation’s eleventh combatant command, breaking-off from U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) in August 2019. As Captain Soileau explained, “Space was one of the four STRATCOM missions at the time, so now the U.S. has a single combatant command focusing on the space domain.” USSPACECOM is geographic combatant command, she noted, with a world-wide area of responsibility (AOR) beginning at 100 kilometers above the earth’s surface.

Captain Soileau is a former Air Force officer, graduating from Arizona State University in 2013 and commissioned via Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corp (ROTC). She held a variety of billets in Air Force Space Control units before reporting to USSPACECOM in 2019 and recommissioning into the U.S. Space Force in 2020. On a personal note, Captain Soileau shared she had a grandfather who was active in MOAA and took her to chapter meetings, and she also received a MOAA ROTC Scholarship while in college.

In other business, the chapter conducted its annual Business Meeting, with officer and board of director reports for the past fiscal year presented to the members. Also, nominations for open Officer and Board of Directors positions for calendar year 2020 were approved: Ralph DeLucia and David Di Tallo as Directors at Large and Michael Briceland as Second Vice President.

September 7, 2020 - AFHS Launches New AF JROTC Program

AFHS Launches New AF JROTC Program
By David J. Di Tallo

The area’s newest Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) program was inaugurated in September at Austintown Fitch High School (AFHS), with two retired U.S. Air Force veterans leading the way. Mahoning and Shenango Valleys Chapter had a chance to meet them at their September and November meetings, and they both agreed to a “virtual” interview to let chapter members know how the new unit is doing, what challenges they face, and what MOAA and other veterans groups can do to help.

Colonel Kevin Riley, of Brookfield, Ohio, is the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor at AFHS and a career Contracting and Communications/Cyberspace Officer. Though not from the area originally, his two most recent assignments before retiring were as Commander, 910^th Mission Support Group and 910^th Airlift Wing Community Partnership Director at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Vienna, OH. At the MSVC November lunch meeting Col. Riley explained that he became interested in JROTC from an Air Force colleague at a previous assignment, who had chosen to pursue the program in retirement.

The chapter got to meet Senior Master Sargent Tom Marhulik, AFHS’s Aerospace Science Instructor at its September dinner meeting at Boardman Township Park. SMSgt Marhulik grew up in Trumbull County and graduated from Matthews High School. His final assignment prior to retiring was as C-130H Loadmaster with the 910^th Airlift Wing.

SMSgt Marhulik explained that he was not quite ready for retirement when he left active duty. “I felt I had more to offer and was not ready to leave the military,” he stated. “One day I received a phone call from a friend (who) stated that AFHS was starting up a JROTC program, and thought I would be a good candidate for the position.” After interviewing with Col. Riley and twice with the school’s principals, and he was selected for the position.

“I have loved every minute of it!” Marhulik offered. “I enjoy working with the cadets/students and teaching those things that will make them better students, better employees, better leaders, and better role models in their families and community.”

According to Col. Riley, fifty cadets from all four high school grades are currently enrolled in JROTC. “We started the school year with about seventy,” he explained, “but we had have some students drop out, while others have joined at the urging of faculty and other cadets.” Austintown schools have both in-person and online classes this year, and Col. Riley noted that JROTC classes are meeting daily, both for academics, drill, and physical education.

SMSgt Marhulik explained that several days a week the cadets do drill and ceremony procedures using modified rifles and guidons. “The drill and ceremony procedures seem to spark their interest, more than history, and we are developing our physical fitness component as well.”

In addition to the Air Force JROTC curriculum (for a list and description courses, go to http://www.austintownschools.org/1/courses/4), the instructors prepare the cadets for their lives after high school. “We (teach) the importance of respect to others, as well as to self, hold them to a higher standard as representatives in the school and the community, and try to instill confidence and leadership,” Marhulik noted. They also want cadets to be self-reliant and aware of their surroundings.

Fitch High School has long tradition of including service members and veterans in its academic and social life. In 2015, a student built the school’s Veterans Memorial outside the main entrance as an Eagle Scout Project, with life-sized renderings of service members from each branch of the Armed Forces. In 2017 the school hosted its first “Lunch with a Veteran” and in December 2019 it dedicated a POW/MIA chair in its basketball court and holds a school-wide assembly each Veterans Day.

Most recently AFHS invited American Legion Post 301 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4237 (both of Austintown) to place a POW/MIA Chair of Honor at Falcon Stadium on September 11 and provided a choir for the Mahoning County Veterans Day Observance on November 11.

MSVC plans to include AFHS in its annual awards program next spring. In addition to current JROTC programs at Youngstown’s East High School and the Trumbull Career and Technical Center (Champion), the chapter has offered to award a MOAA Junior ROTC Medal and Certificate and cash award to deserving AFHS cadet and include him/her in our annual Cadet Night Dinner, tentatively scheduled for April 2021.

A recent press release was posted by the 910th Airlift Wing's Public Affairs Office regarding the JROTC program at Austintown Fitch. Read it here:
https://www.youngstown.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2480274/910th-airmen-boost-austintowns-fledgling-jrotc-program/fbclid/IwAR3ayTu0CGuJ2HCdwbygJDVFrDy0cU9m4w-7OfBT9Dp7isTuu3zMr6_Tosk/

For more information on how individual MSVC members could assist Col. Riley and SMSgt Marhulik or support the annual awards program, please contact me at david.ditallo@gmail.com.

Photographs:

AFHS AFJROTC. Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Kevin Riley, Senior Aerospace Science Instructor, Austintown Fitch High School Air Force JROTC at MSVC’s November 20 lunch meeting (photo by Mike Wisniewski).
AFHS AFJROTC 2. Retired U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sargent Tom Marhulik, Aerospace Science Instructor, Austintown Fitch High School Air Force JROTC at MSVC’s September dinner meeting (photo by Mike Wisniewski).
AFHS Vets Memorial. Austintown Fitch High School’s Veterans Memorial.

April 9, 2020 - MSVC-MOAA Presses Ahead With Cadet Awards

MSVC Presses Ahead with Cadet Awards
By David J. Di Tallo

The coronavirus (COVID 19) may have cancelled the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys Chapter – Military Officers Association of America’s April 30 Cadet Night Dinner, but it will not stop them from recognizing area JROTC and ROTC cadets. While area schools and colleges remain closed, the chapter will still present MOAA JROTC and ROTC Medals to outstanding cadets and recognize those about to receive their commissions.

Retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant David Moon from East High School’s (Youngstown, OH) Army JROTC program has nominated Cadet Justin Trammell for the MOAA JROTC Medal. Cadet Trammell is a junior and his JROTC Battalion’s Command Sergeant Major. In addition, he participates in Academic Team, Raider Team, Air Rifle Team, Color Guard, and Drill Team. When the Youngstown City Schools reschedule their annual JROTC awards ceremony, MSVC-MOAA will be there to present Cadet Trammell’s award, as well as a fifty dollar cash prize.

Youngstown State University Assistant Professor of Military Science Joseph Paydock has nominated junior class cadet Ting-Yu Chiu for the MOAA ROTC Medal. He will receive a three hundred dollar cash prize in addition to his medal. Chiu is currently enlisted in the Ohio National Guard and majors in Criminal Justice.

Professor Paydock reports YSU Army ROTC will commission four new Second Lieutenants at the close of the academic year in May: Nicholas Armeni (Military Police), Jordan Hall (Infantry), Isabella Wagner (Ordnance), and Macauley White (Infantry). Together with the Reserve Officers Association (ROA), MSVC-MOAA will present each graduate with second lieutenant rank and branch insignia and a copy of The Army Officer’s Guide. Cadet Armeni was the chapter’s 2019 MOAA ROTC Medal winner and attended last year’s Cadet Night Dinner.

Even though this year’s Cadet Night Dinner is cancelled, members can still contribute the on-going support of the chapter’s awards program by donating to its scholarship fund. Monies collected are used to cover the cost of the MOAA medals, certificates, uniform insignia, and books. Contributions may be sent to chapter Treasurer Florence Hosler, included with annual dues assessments, or made when checking in for chapter lunch/dinner events.

The officers and board members thank everyone for their ongoing generosity in the important endeavor.

Captions:

1. Cadet Justin Trammell, Army JROTC, East High School, Youngstown, OH. (Photo courtesy of MSG Moon)
2. Cadet Ting-Yu Chiu, Army ROTC, Youngstown State University. (Photo courtesy of YSU ROTC)
3. Cadet Nicholas Armeni, Army ROTC, Youngstown State University. (Photo courtesy of YSU ROTC)
4. Cadet Jordan Hall, Army ROTC, Youngstown State University. (Photo courtesy of YSU ROTC)
5. Cadet Isabella Wagner, Army ROTC, Youngstown State University. (Photo courtesy of YSU ROTC)
6. Cadet Macauley White, Army ROTC, Youngstown State University. (Photo courtesy of YSU ROTC)

Carl A. Nunziato Veterans Resource Center spotlighted in the July issue of the Military Officer magazine