Information for Applause, Grads, Duty roster or Honors may be sent to: The Flint Journal, Attention: Sherry Caraway, 200 E. First St., Flint 48502 or to applause@flintjournal.com. Details: (810) 766-6364.

PV2 Cory Wetherell graduated from Army basic training at AIT at Fort Leonardwood in Missouri. He has been in Europe training for deployment. He is the son of Suzie and Vic Aiuto of Holly and Rod and Janet Wetherell of Flint.

• Air Force Maj. John Jorgensen has been named Air Mobility Command Social Worker of the Year 2007. Selection was based on the individual's exemplary duty performance, job knowledge, leadership qualities, significant self-improvement, specific achievements, notable accomplishments, and community service and support. Maj. Jorgensen has also been selected as the next mental health consultant to the Air Mobility Command Surgeon General, with a follow-on assignment to Scott Air Force Base, Belleville, Ill. Jorgensen is the mental health flight commander assigned to the 43rd Airlift Wing at Pope Air Force Base, Fayetteville, N.C. The major has served in the military for 14 years. He is the son of Lawrence and Therese Jorgensen of Swartz Creek. Jorgensen graduated in 1982 from Swartz Creek High School, and earned a master's degree in 1993 from the University of Michigan. Continue reading "Duty Roster: Air Force Maj. John Jorgensen has been named Air Mobility Command Social Worker of the Year 2007" »

Jim Cheek | The Flint Journal and Swartz Creek NewsBeverly Crampton of Swartz Creek looks over the just installed Army Bronze statue in the Veterans Memorial in Swartz Creek. "I've been so anxious to see this," Crampton's husband is a Veteran and many family members alike.

The statue was the first of five the Swartz Creek Area Veterans Memorial Committee plans to showcase at the site.

Jim Cheek | The Flint JournalArmy 1st Lt. Caitlin Hinterman is relaxing at home in Davison Township after serving in Iraq. She soon heads back to service in Georgia.

It was a list of everything she wanted to do when she got back.

DutPvt. Timothy Link graduated from the U.S. Marine Corps boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. While in basic training, Link qualified as a sharpshooter. He is stationed at Camp Pendleton at Infantry Training Battalion. He is a 2007 graduate of Mt. Morris High School and the son of Kimberly Loree of Mt. Morris and Michael Link of Detroit.

PV2 Nicholas Parker graduated from basic combat training at Fort Knox, Ky. He is stationed in Fort Sam Houston for medic training. He is a graduate of Swartz Creek High Class of 2006 and the son of Jerry and Gina Parker of Swartz Creek.

• Army Spec. Charles "Chad" Ewing has returned to Alaska after being deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Continue reading "Duty Roster: Area resident Charles Ewing returns to Alaska; others graduate from basic training" »

Cpl. Curtis Riley

The Flint native, 26, watched on a Web camera as his oldest son, Christion, waved while saying "Dadda" and baby Melaki flashed early grins.

But he worried that he would be a stranger to them.

"My youngest went the first three months not knowing who I was, and I was afraid that when I finally held him, he would cry," said the 2001 Flint Southwestern Academy graduate.

Army Pvt. Ricky Lowes graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. He is the son of Fred and Teresa Lowes of Flint.

Air Force Airman Erik Coffell graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of James Coffell of Grand Blanc. Coffell is a 1999 graduate of Carman-Ainsworth Adult High School.

Army Pvt. Wayne Brandon graduated from Basic Combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. Brandon is a 2007 graduate of Grand Blanc High School.

Marine Reserve 2nd Lt. Ryan Williams graduated from officer candidate school at Quantico, Va. He is a 2000 graduate of Davison High School and a 2004 graduate of Western Michigan University. He is the son of Robert and Shelley Williams of Davison and is on military leave from U.S Airways Express.

Army Pfc. Frank Hoffman deployed to Iraq to support the mission of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Hoffman, a motor transport operator, is assigned to the 15th Transportation Company at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. He is the son of Frank and Sherry Hoffman of Fenton.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Russell Norcross deployed to Southwest Asia in the Persian Gulf region in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as a member of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing. He is the son of Hubert Lee Norcross and Sueko Norcross, both of Burton, and a 1983 graduate of Atherton High School.