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Army Pvt. Jeffrey Gardner has graduated from the Basic Field Artillery Cannon Crewmember Advanced Individual Training course at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.
The course is designed to train servicemembers to maintain, prepare and load ammunition for firing; operate and perform operator maintenance on prime movers, self-propelled Howitzers, and ammunition vehicles; store, maintain, and distribute ammunition to using units as a member of battery or battalion ammunition section; perform crew maintenance and participate in organizational maintenance of weapons and related equipment; and establish and maintain radio and wire communications.
Gardner is the son of Judy Gardner of Hawthorne Lane in Gainesville.
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Army National Guard Pvt. Brandon G. Hoffman has graduated from One Station Unit Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville, Mo., which included basic military training and advanced individual training.
During basic military training, the trainee received instruction in drill and ceremony, weapons qualification, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army doctrine, history, principles and traditions.
During AIT, the soldier completed the military police specialist course to acquire skills to provide combat area support, conduct battlefield circulation control, area security, prisoner of war operations, civilian internee operations, and law and order operations.
The trainee performed as a team member in support of battlefield operations, installation law and order operations and security of Army resources and installations. Additional training included providing peacetime support to the military community through security of resources, crime prevention programs, and preservation of law and order.
Hoffman is the son of James and Janis Hoffman of Trailside Way in Gainesville.
He is a 2011 graduate of North Forsyth High School in Cumming.
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Army National Guard Pvt. Luis Diaz has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.
Diaz is the son of Luis and Maria Diaz of Sherry Lane in Gainesville.
He is a 2010 graduate of West Hall High School in Oakwood.
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Air Force Airman Matthew Massato graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Massato is the son of Robin Tawzer and stepson of Randy Tawzer, both of Chadwick Place in Canton.
He is a 2011 graduate of Flowery Branch High School.
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The American Legion Post No. 328 of Flowery Branch performed its civic duty by supporting the efforts of the Oakwood VA Clinic Patient Appreciation Day and Education Health Fair event. The event was supported by the various Veteran Service groups within Hall County. The American Legion Post No. 328 is recruiting Iraq war veterans for the Honor Guard to perform at ceremonies that may be requested by our residents or any organization within the community. Call 770-539-2849 for more information.
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Riverside Military Academy and Office of Strategic Services Society members honored retired Army Col. William “Bill” H. Pietsch Jr. at a reception Oct. 20 in Washington, D.C.
The OSS was the World War II predecessor of the Central Intelligence Agency and the U.S. Special Operations Command. The OSS Society educates the American public about the importance of strategic intelligence and special operations to the preservation of freedom.
Col. Pietsch, a Riverside Class of 1938 graduate, was presented with the Riverside Distinguished Service Award by Riverside’s president, retired Marine Col. James H. Benson.