Staff Sgt. Tim Ahrens, Ottawa, attended a Unit Public Affairs Representative school March 1-2 at the Kansas Regional Training Institute in Salina. Ahrens is a survey chief for Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 127th Field Artillery, Kansas Army National Guard in Lawrence. UPARs are trained to write news releases, inform the community of their unit’s activities, coordinate community relations programs and work with their commanders to improve the community’s understanding of a unit.

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Air Force Airman Brandon L. Jackson has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.

During the six weeks of training, Jackson studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; 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’s degree.

Jackson, a 2002 graduate of Free State High School, is the son of William Jackson and Wynona Floyd, both of Lawrence.

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The USS Mount McKinley Assn. will have a reunion Sept. 10-14 in San Francisco. The reunion is for veterans of the Army, Navy and Marines who served on the Amphibious Force Flagship, USS Mount McKinley AGC/LCC-7 during its 26 years of commissioned service.

For more information, contact Dwight Janzen at (509) 534-3649 or by e-mail at djanzen@gte.net. His address is 2515 E. No. Altamont Blvd., Spokane, Wash. 99202-4247.