Air Force Airman Aaron Waite has graduated from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

He is the son of Robert and Terry Waite of Butler.

Waite is a 2001 graduate of Knoch High School.

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Air Force Airman 1st Class Benjamin Smeland has graduated from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

Smeland is the son of Karen Mortland of Chicora.

He graduated in 1999 from Karns City High School and received a bachelor's degree in 2003 from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Ind.

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Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Bradley Buckley, a 1986 graduate of Moniteau High School, recently returned home from a routine scheduled deployment to Udonthani, Thailand, while assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.

Buckley's unit deployed to support Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 and Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225, during Cobra Gold 2004, a combined exercise involving the Marine Corps and the armed forces of Thailand, Philippines, Mongolia, and Singapore.

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Army Reserve Pvt. Brandon Sosack has graduated from the petroleum supply specialist advanced individual training course at Fort Lee, Petersburg, Va.

He is the son of Brenda Smith and grandson of Ruby Smith, both of Evans City.

Sosack is a 2003 graduate of Seneca Valley High School.

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Army 1st Sgt. Patrick Stanton has been decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding achievement or meritorious service in non-combat situations.

Stanton is assigned to the 72nd Armor Regiment, Camp Casey, Tongduchon-Up, South Korea.

He is the son of Patricia and Jack Douglas of Slippery Rock, Pa.

The sergeant is a 1984 graduate of Northgate High School, Pittsburgh.

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Army Pvt. Angela McElfresh has arrived for duty at Yongsan, Seoul, South Korea.

McElfresh, a food service specialist, is the daughter of Amy Jo and stepdaughter of Edward Mable of Butler.

She is a 2003 graduate of Western Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, Midland.

During July, Edward Heeter Sr., the regional representative for 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 for the following:Veterans who have served in Afghanistan or Iraq.Veterans who want to be on the World War II Memorial Registery.New rules for Vietnam veterans with diabetes.Korean Service Medal for veterans serving in the Korean War.For details, contact the GVOAC at 800-442-6815 or 724-837-7988.---Area veterans who served on the USS Canberra are invited to the reunion scheduled for Oct. 13 to 16 in Louisville, Ky. For more information, contact Bryan Humphrey, P.O. Box 1758, Ocean Pines, MD 21811; phone, 410-208-4911; or e-mail, kandokangaroo@verizon.net.---The USS Rowan will hold its reunion Nov. 10 to 14 in San Antonio, Texas. Area veterans interested in attending may contact Leo Jack Moore, #4 Ley Place, Sussex, NJ 07461-2413; phone, 973-875-4582; or e-mail, ljmdd782@warwick.net.