Area Military Persons Receive Recognition

The following Inland Northwest military persons have earned awards and/or recognition:

Army Spec. Erik Staggs, Washington National Guard, was selected as the 1996 Soldier of the Year for 1st Battalion, Spokane, for his leadership, physical fitness, professional skills and military bearing. He is a political consultant in Spokane and the former district director for U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt.

Col. Judith Turcotte was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service in the Army. Daughter of Madeline Turcotte, Spokane, she is a 1968 graduate of University High School and a 1972 graduate of the University of Idaho.

Petty Officer First Class James Bosworth, son of Eileen Bosworth, Colville, was selected as Supervisor of the Quarter with Fighter Squadron 2, Naval Air Station, Miramar, Calif. He is a 1978 graduate of Colville High School.

1st Lt. Robert Morrison, son of Roy and Mary Morrison, Spokane, received silver wings upon graduation from the Air Force undergraduate pilot training program at Vance Air Force Base, Enid, Okla.

Sgt. John Randolph, son of Don and Jeanne Randolph, Spokane, was cited for superior performance of duty as a midshipman working toward an undergraduate degree while serving with the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Unit, University of Idaho.

Lance Cpl. Brian Scott, son of Sally Scott, Nine Mile Falls, received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for superior performance of duty while serving with Marine Security Guard Battalion, Quantico, Va.

Petty Officer 1st Class Mark Ervin, son of Monna Jones, Spokane, received the Navy Good Conduct Medal recognizing honest and faithful service during a three-year period. He is assigned about the USS Supply, homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Lance Cpl. Wade Shaw, son of Randy and Linda Shaw, Elk, received a Certificate of Commendation while assigned with Marine Attack Squadron 211, Yuma, Ariz. Shaw is a 1994 graduate of Riverside High School.

Sgt. Todd Olmsted, son of Arthur Olmsted and Lenora Olmsted, both of Spokane, received a Certificate of Commendation for superior performance of duty while assigned to Headquarters, 6th Marine Corps District, Atlanta. He is a 1983 graduate of North Central High School.

Staff Sgt. Marryann Ramirez, daughter of Ali Johns, Spokane, received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award as a member of the 552nd Air Control Wing at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City. She is an operational resource management specialist and a 1987 graduate of East Valley High School.

The following Inland Northwest people were recently appointed to their present ranks.

Pfc. Shane Stephens, son of Willis Stephens, St. John, Wash., stationed with the Marine Corps at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, is a 1994 graduate of St. John-Endicott High School.

Second Lt. Christopher Nicholson, son of Michael and Carol Nicholson, Spokane, is attending the Basic School at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Va. Nicholson is a 1985 graduate of Lewis and Clark High School and a 1991 graduate of Whitworth College.

Lance Cpl. Benjamin Jacks, son of Donna Jacks, Deer Park, and Ricky Jacks, Mead, stationed with the Marine Corps in Yuma, Ariz., is a 1995 graduate of Mead Senior High School.

Ensign Gregory Beatty, son of Brian and Barbara Beatty, Spokane, stationed at the University of Notre Dame, Ind., is a 1992 graduate of Mead High School and a 1996 graduate of the University of Notre Dame.

Senior Airman Erin Rigmaiden, son of Stephanie and Rodney Colliton, Four Lakes, is stationed with the Air Force at McChord Air Force Base, Tacoma.

Staff Sgt. Ronald Blackburn, son of Lawrence and Patricia Blackburn, Veradale, is stationed with the Air Force at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City.

Two area students received Air Force ROTC scholarships and will attend the University of Portland, Ore. Upon graduation, they will be commissioned as second lieutenants.

Eleane Beadle, daughter of Douglas and Laurie Beadle, Spokane, is a 1996 graduate of Mead High School.

Lorraine Eckelberg, daughter of David and Janice Eckelberg, Medical Lake, is a 1995 graduate of Medical Lake High School.

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MEMO: To tell us about your achievements and good deeds, write to Achievements, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210, or 608 Northwest Blvd., Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.