Navy Airman

Fennell is lieutenantAir Force 2nd Lt. Thomas E. Fennell, son of Frank F. and Bettye J. Fennell of Columbia, was promoted to his current rank after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.Recipient of a bachelor of science degree, Lieutenant Fennell will attend pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Del Rio, Texas.Edgerton given medalNavy Petty Officer 1st Class David A. Edgerton, son of Georgie M. Edgerton of Mount Airy, recently received the Navy Achievement Medal.

* Marine Lance Cpl. Bryan P. Elliott, son of Shirley T. Elliott of Mount Airy, recently reported for duty with Marine Tactical ElectronicWarfare Squadron-Two, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Cherry Point, N.C.He joined the Marine Corps in July 1988.* Navy Seaman Recruit Jason W. Vogel recently returned from deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Desert Storm while serving aboard the destroyer USS Caron, homeported in Norfolk, Va.The son of John K. and Marsha D. Vogel of Westminster, he joined the Navy in December 1989.

Marine Lance Cpl. Randy J. Staab, son of Joan M. Staab of Bel Air, recently completed the Marines' basic electronics course.During the 13-week course, conducted at the Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School in Twentynine Palms, Calif., Staab received technical instruction in the fundamental electrical theory common to Marine Corps communication and electronics equipment.A 1990 graduate of North Harford High School, he joined the Marine Corps in July 1990.BEL AIR MAN IN NAVYNavy Seaman Apprentice Ronald L. Britton, son of Kathy M. Gallagher of Bel Air, has completedBasic Cryptologic Technician School.

* Four Carroll County men recently returned aboard the aircraft carrier USS America, homeported in Norfolk, Va., following a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean, Red Sea and Persian Gulf.The men are Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class John D. McElroy, Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph L. Kahney and Navy Airman Apprentices George H. Tutor and Aaron S. Bennett.They participated in operations and training exercises as the USS America led its 12-ship battle group. The carrier and its escorts conducted exercises with NATO allies in the Mediterranean and with the Egyptian Air Force in the Red Sea. Once in the Gulf, more training was performed with the armed forces of Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Many area servicemen have been and are still currently involved with Operation Desert Shield, the largest deployment of United States military forces since Vietnam. The operation is in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and threat to Saudi Arabia.The following servicemen are currently deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Desert Shield:* Navy Ensign Christopher M. Cook, son of Ramon J. and Doris M. Cook of Laurel, is serving aboard the destroyer USS Spruance. He is a 1988 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a 1989 graduate of George Washington University in Washington.

Look for Homefront Journal -- a collection of information,local events and Marylanders' efforts around the Persian Gulf war -- daily in the Today section.Mother keeps war newsin scrapbook for her sonNavy Airman Derek Jones may be helping make history in the Persian Gulf aboard the carrier USS Roosevelt, but he doesn't have much chance to read about it.That thought spurred his mother, Joanne Young of Baltimore, to put together an extensive scrapbook of newspaper clippings for her 20-year-old son, who joined the Navy a few months after he graduated from Edmondson Senior High School in 1989.

The Howard County Council of Garden Clubs will sponsor two tours Dec. 9 of Waverly Mansion in Marriottsville, which has been decorated for the holidays. A morning tour will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon. The evening tour, which will feature candlelight and seasonal music by Die Liedersanger Madrigal Singers, will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cider and cookies will be served. The cost is $3; $2 for senior citizens, and $1 for children. The mansion is at 2300 Waverly Mansion Drive.

* Richard P. Wilcox, son of Marie A. McLaughlin of Westminster, has joined the U.S. Army and become eligible to receive the Army college fund benefit of up to $17,000 for college expenses.He enlisted under the Army's Delayed Entry Program.Wilcox will report for basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., in July. After completing this training, he will remain at the same post to attend advanced training to become a unit supply specialist.Heis a 1990 graduate of Westminster High School.* Two relatives ofCarroll countians recently returned from deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Desert Storm.

Marine Lance Cpl. James E. Combs, son of Drudy and Donald Sealing ofSykesville, recently reported for duty with Marine Air Control Group-28, 2nd Marine Aircraft, Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C.Combs, a 1989 Liberty High School graduate, joined the Marine Corps in September 1989.Navy Airman Joel P. Traynham, son of Jocelyn and Warner Traynham of Columbia, recently reported for duty aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation.Traynham joined the Navy in December 1988.FURR,SMITH END TRAININGNavy Seaman Recruit Jonathan M. Furr, son of Patricia and Robert Furr of Columbia, and Navy Seaman Recruit Shawn A.Smith recently completed training at Recruit Training Command, Orlando, Fla.Furr, a 1990 Hammond High School graduate, and Smith, a 1991 Hammond High School graduate, both joined the Navy in June 1991MORRISSEY EARNS WINGSAir Force 2nd Lt. David F. Morrissey, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Morrissey of Ellicott City, received his pilot'ssilver wings upon graduation from Undergraduate Pilot Training Class91-14 at Williams Air Force Base, Ariz.

Coast Guard Seaman Michael B. Cahill, son of Barbara Smith of Churchville, graduated from Coast Guard Recruit Training, Cape May, N.J.During the course, students are taught general military subjects designed to prepare them for further academic and on-the-job training leading toward qualification in one of the Coast Guard's 26 occupational fields.HOOPER IS AIR CONTROLLERNavy Airman Recruit David S. Hooper, son of Ronnie C. and ShirleyM. Hooper of Street, recently graduated from Air Traffic Controller School.