Steven Curtis promoted to Command Sergeant Major
Steven L. Curtis of Stacyville was promoted to Command Sergeant Major in the Maine Army National Guard. Curtis has been the First Sergeant for C-1/126 Aviation Company (Air Ambulance) and is trained as a Flight Medic. His unit evacuates injured soldiers and civilians from combat zones and assists with in-state emergencies. 
Curtis graduated from Katahdin High School in Stacyville and the University of Maine at Presque Isle. He lives in Stacyville with his wife Kelley.
Williams completes training
Marine Corps Pvt. Benjamin R. Williams, son of Paula V. and William M. Williams of Weston, recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S. C. designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally.
Williams and fellow recruits began their training at 5 a. m., by running three miles and performing calisthenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, Williams spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments which included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training. They performed close order drill and operated as a small infantry unit during field training.
Williams and other recruits also received instruction on the Marine Corps’ core values — honor, courage and commitment, and what the core values mean in guiding personal and professional conduct.
Williams and fellow recruits ended the training phase with The Crucible, a 54-hour, team evolution culminating in an emotional ceremony in which recruits are presented the Marine Corps Emblem, and addressed as “Marines” for the first time in their careers.
Sgt. Ewings deployed overseas
Air Force Senior Master Sgt. David M. Ewings has deployed overseas to a forward operating base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces and coalition forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq. Mission objectives focus on force protection, peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi transitional governing bodies assume full sovereign powers to govern the peoples of Iraq.
Members from all branches of the U.S. military and multinational forces are also assisting in rebuilding Iraq’s economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq’s sovereignty and independence as a democracy.
Ewings, a structures element chief with 23 years of military service, is assigned to the 3rd Civil Engineer Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage, Ala.
He is the son of Margaret Cameron, and stepson of Roland Cameron Jr., both of Oakfield.
His grandmother, Drucilla Ewings, resides in Smyrna Mills.
The sergeant is a 1984 graduate of Southern Aroostook High School in Dyer Brook.
