Fort Jackson

Air Force Airman Ross A. Shields Jr., son of Ross and Kathy Shields of Hagerstown, graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. Shields is a 2006 graduate of Clear Spring High School. Air Force Airman Raelene F. Neff, daughter of Donna Neff of Chambersburg, Pa., graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Warren B. Burns, son of Barbara Nigh of Hagerstown, graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio.

Marine Corps Pvt. James D. Nance, Jr., son of Gladys E. and James D. Nance of Smithsburg, recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., designed to challenge new Marine recruits physically and mentally. Army Pvt. Eric S. Windsor Jr., son of Eric and Ingrid Windsor of Smithsburg, Md. has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Windsor is a 2005 graduate of Smithsburg High School.

Music played, stories told, historical items sold: A lot happens at the 18th Century Market Fair at Fort Frederick, but one man knows about it more than anyone. Chris Holmgren of Dickerson, Md., is a longtime volunteer and artisan featured at the fair. He does more than his share to keep the past alive. The Friends of Fort Frederick took over the Market Fair after its initial 11-year run, and Holmgren has been there since the host change.  “We didn't want to see it end,” he said.

Navy Seaman Recruit Miranda L. Blackburn, a 2007 graduate of Southern Fulton High School, Warfordsburg, Pa., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Loiacono, son of Tammy Atkins of Deale, Md., and Stephan Loiacono of Frederick, Md., is assigned to the Los Angeles-class submarine, USS Cheyenne (SSN 773), which recently arrived in Subic Bay, Philippines, as part of its Western Pacific deployment.

Army Pvt. Matthew S. Stevens, son of Lorie Tedrick of Hagerstown, graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. Stevens is a 2007 graduate of Smithsburg High School. Air Force Maj. Preston R. Wallech, son of Miller and Esther Wallech of Hagerstown, has arrived for duty at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. Wallech, a flight commander with 16 years of military service, is assigned to the 19th Airlift Wing. Wallech graduated from North Hagerstown High School, attended Hagerstown Community College and then joined the Air Force and completed his bachelor's degree through the University of Maryland.