Military digest

Bell City man aboard USS Ticonderoga

Navy Lt. j.g. Kevin Hunt is aboard the guided-missile cruiser, USS Ticonderoga.

Cruisers like the Ticonderoga primarily operate with aircraft carrier battle groups in extreme threat environments, but they are also capable of operating independently, responsible for detecting, classifying and tracking potential targets simultaneously in the air, on the surface and under the sea.

"I joined the military to serve my country and take advantage of the educational programs they offer," said Hunt, a 1986 graduate of Bell City High School in Bell City, Mo., and 1998 graduate of University of Missouri, with a bachelor's degree in business administration.

As food service officer aboard the Ticonderoga, Hunt's position is a key part of the daily operation of the ship.

"I'm responsible for ordering, loading and storing food, as well as maintaining the correct stock control of all the food-related supplies on board," said Hunt.

The Ticonderoga is assigned to the U.S. Southern Command, participating in U.S. Naval activities primarily in the Caribbean and Latin America.

"We recently completed a three-month deployment off the coast of South America where we engaged in counter drug operations as part of the Navy's commitment to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the United States."

Other deployment areas were in Argentina and Chile, said Hunt.

Cape woman gets promotion to captain

Mariel D. Webb-Lyons has received her captain's bars during a ceremony at Fort Leonard Wood at Waynesville, Mo.

Webb-Lyons, a 1977 graduate of Cape Central High School, is a registered nurse and a member of the Army Nursing Corps' labor and delivery department at Fort Leonard Wood.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Webb Sr. of Cape Girardeau.

Perryville man completes training

Army Pvt. Jeremiah E. Weinrich has graduated from basic military training at Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville.

Weinrich is the son of Joseph and Donna Weinrich of 10591 Highway T, Perryville, Mo. He is a 1999 graduate of Perryville High School.

Area Marine finishes basic training

Marine Pvt. Joshua S. Lashley has competed basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at San Diego, Calif.

Lashley, son of Melissa A. Bone of Ironton, Mo., and John E. Lashley of Jackson, Mo., is a graduate of Bismarck High School.