Editor's note: The Source newspapers publish available information about Virgin Islanders who are serving their country in the military. For earlier notices, see previous months' files in this section. Please e-mail information about yourself or any family member serving in these regards to source@viaccess.net Provide the individual's full name, age, rank, service branch or organization, home island, immediate family members in the Virgin Islands, brief description of education and training, and, if possible, a description of where the person is based or has been deployed. Please limit the information to about 200 words. We welcome photos.
Army National Guard Pfc. Blanca I. Kincaid
April 5, 2007 — Army National Guard Pfc. Blanca I. Kincaid 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.
She is the daughter of Ana Tirado of Kingshill, U.S. Virgin Islands, and niece of Blanca Encarnacion of Bushwick Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y.
Kincaid graduated in 1986 from St. Croix Central High School, Kingshill, and received an associate degree in 1998 from New York City Technical College, Brooklyn.
USMC Lt. Cpl. Michael G. Paines
April 9, 2007 — Lt. Cpl. Michael G. Paines, 21, a St. Croix native, is currently stationed in Iraq as part of a one-year deployment.
Son of Robin Hitesman, his stepfather is Jonathan Hitesman and his father is Cedrick S. Paines. He graduated from Gaithersburg (Maryland) High School, were he was a member of the NJROTC.
Paines graduated from three months of basic training at Paris Island, S.C., on Dec. 23, 2004, then graduated from two months of marine combat training at Camp Giger, N.C. He went on to be trained as a data network specialist in 29 Palms, California. After graduating from DNS training, he was stationed at Camp Lejuene, N.C., for about two years.
Now Paines is stationed in Iraq for the first time with the regimental combat team of the 2 HQ Co. of the 2nd Marine Division.
Army Staff Sgt. Jarvis Anderson/St. Thomas
April 23, 2007(Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Staff Sgt. Jarvis Anderson has returned to the U.S. after being deployed to an overseas forward-operating location 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.
Anderson is a combat medic assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Baumholder, Germany.
He is the son of Helen Mitchel of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
The sergeant is a 2001 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, St. Thomas.
Air Force Airman 1st Class Terrel E. Hodge/St. Thomas
April 24, 2007 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Airman 1st Class Terrel E. Hodge has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, military customs and courtesies. He performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Hodge graduated in 1989 from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and received a bachelor's degree in 2006 from Park University, through the military extension program at Whiteman Air Force Base, Knob Noster, Mo.
Army Spec. Sidney W. LePree/St. Croix
April 24, 2007 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Spec. Sidney W. LePree participated in the 32nd U.S. Army Annual Culinary Arts Competition at Fort Lee, Petersburg, Va. The competition is rated the largest culinary competition in America.
The two-week competition involved Army soldier-chefs, active duty and reserve components, as well as members from other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. The competitions allows service members to sharpen and broaden their cooking, baking, roasting, and poaching skills to stay on the cutting edge of culinary techniques. Their culinary skills ultimately benefit military service members eating in dining and mess hall facilities and battlefield kitchens serving soldiers in combat zones.
The goals of the competition are to continually raise the standards of culinary excellence and professionalism in the Army's food service training and promote growth in the culinary profession. The competition also promotes camaraderie and motivation among the soldiers and other service members, and provides educational opportunities in the culinary arts.
Competitors are awarded certificates, medallions, engraved plaques, and trophies for their mastery of culinary art in their particular category.
This year's participants, both individual and team winners, competed in five major categories and 11 special categories pertaining to food service operations and design. Altogether, 17 teams and more than 150 food service professionals entered 518 exhibits and displays.
LePree, a food service specialist, is assigned to Fort Stewart, Hinesville, Ga. and has served in the military for six years.
He is the son of Diane Miller of Harvey, La., and grandson of Aleane B. LePree of New Orleans, La. His wife, Yvette, is the daughter of Agnes Mae Velez of St. Croix, Virgin Islands.
The specialist graduated in 1986 from Marion Abramson Senior High School, New Orleans, and received an associate degree in 2006 from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, Atlanta, Ga.
