Air Force Lt. Col.

Tim Reichart and Marine Lt. Col.

Larry Stewart, who were classmates together at East Brady Elementary School, both decided to serve their country and became aviators flying helicopters for their respective services. They both hold the rank of lieutenant colonel and are currently serving in Afghanistan.They parted ways about 35 years ago, when Stewart's family moved to Brookville, Jefferson County.In early June, they were at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, where they were part of the same mission. The two, who thought they had never met before, were standing on the flight line and waiting for the weather to clear so they could be inserted by helicopter on the top of a 10,000-foot peak where an Afghan airliner crashed in February. To pass time, they began talking about what troops routinely talk about - where they were from and discovered they were old classmates.Reichart, director of operations of the joint personnel recovery agency, was going up the mountain to oversee the recovery of remains that were still on the mountain.Stewart, a planner with Combined Joint Task Force 76, was headed up on the mountain to examine the area for possible use as a future training site for high altitude operations.Reichart, who owns a home in East Brady, is the son of East Brady residents Bob and Gloria Reichart and is stationed at Fort Belvoir, Va.Stewart, stationed out of Okinawa, Japan, has a grandmother, Dorothy Wimer, who still lives in East Brady. He is the son of Jude and Sharon Kendra of Brookville.

During July, Edward Heeter Sr., regional representative of the Governor's Veterans Outreach and Assistance Center, will have office hours from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the Butler Armory, 250 Kreiss Road, Room 113, Butler.Dates and times are subject to change. Veterans who need assistance at times other than the scheduled visits can call the center at 800-442-6815 or 724-837-7988.---The GVOAC also has information on the following:If you are 65 or older effective January 2006, you will be required to purchase additional insurance coverage for prescription care.The Veterans Administration wants to assist veterans who served in Iraq or AfghanistanBenefits are available for guardsmen and reserves returning from active duty in Iraq.For more information on the above, call 800-442-6815 or 724-837-7988.