Hudson

Navy Journalist First Class Petty Officer (Surface Warfare)

Joshua Hudson of Butler retired as a public affairs officer and Navy spokesman for the states of Pennsylvania, New York and West Virginia on July 27.In the past four years as public affairs officer, his duties included the coordination of all Navy activities and social programs within Allegheny County, including the Three Rivers Regatta, Wings Over Pittsburgh, the 2006 MLB All Star Game, etc.As a photographer, his work has been in multiple publications, including the last informal portrait taken of the late Pittsburgh mayor, Bob O'Connor.During his Navy career, he was forward deployed as a photojournalist during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, reported on the war in Bosnia, relief efforts in Rwanda, documented the aftermath of 9/11 and the first detainees to arrive at Camp X-Ray GITMO and chronicled the forward deployed forces in the Middle East during Operation Enduring Freedom.He received commendations for his exclusive report of the rescue of Air Force Captain Scott O'Grady from his F-16 crash landing in Bosnia behind enemy lines in 1995.His commands included the USS America (CV-66), Naval Air Station Oceana, Navy Broadcasting Detachment Sigonella (Sicily), Defense Intelligence Agency, Fleet Combat Camera Atlantic and Navy Recruiting District Pittsburgh.Among his awards are the Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (six times) and the Chief of Navy Information Merit Award for Journalism (three times).Hudson lives with his wife, Carmen and daughter in Butler, where he teaches continuing education at Butler County Community College; runs a portrait and wedding studio, Dragonfly Digital Media www.dragonflyphotography.com, and has been a contributing photographer for area newspapers, including the Butler Eagle. He also volunteers with various veterans' organizations and events.After his retirement, he will be a senior account executive at Fitting Group, www.fittingroup.com, Pittsburgh.———

Air National Guard Airman 1st Class <B>Shawn Strobel</B> has graduated from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.He is the son of Dawn Strobel of Fenelton and grandson of Faith Strobel of Cabot.Strobel graduated from a home-school program in 2006.———Army First Lt. <B>Keith Heindl </B>has been was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Iraq.A 1999 alumnus of Mars High School, he earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, was commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduation from ROTC and became an ordinance officer at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland.Upon completion of his tour in Iraq, he will return to Fort Riley, Kan., where he He resides there with his wife, Ricki Jo, and their daughter.