Armed Service Graduates

Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Hall

Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Hall has been mobilized and activated for a future deployment to an undisclosed overseas 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. The sergeant is a military police member regularly assigned to the 727th Military Police Detachment, Poughkeepsie, NY. He is the son of Richard and Patricia Hall of Ferris Lane, Poughkeepsie. Hall graduated in 1984 from Our Lady of Lourdes High School, Poughkeepsie, and received a bachelor’s degree in 1988 from Manhattan College, River Dale, NY.

2nd Lt. Matthew O. Dzwilefsky

Army 2nd Lt. Matthew O. Dzwilefsky has graduated from the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The four-month course is designed to instruct new lieutenants in leadership, tactical skills, and combat-related skills and tasks which concentrate on practical battlefield training. The students learned by performing and demonstrating proficiency in practical, external evaluation, and field tactical exercises. Graduates qualify as both mechanized and light infantry platoon leaders. Dzwilefsky is the son of Joseph W. and Lillian O. Dzwilefsky of Peacock Lane, Poughkeepsie, NY. The lieutenant graduated in the year 2000 from Spackenkill High School, Poughkeepsie, and received a bachelor’s degree in 2005 from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY.

Pvt. Michael D. Webb

Marine Corps Pvt. Michael D. Webb, a 2005 graduate of Beacon City High School, Beacon, NY, completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally. Webb and fellow recruits began their training at 5 a.m., by running three miles and performing calisthenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, Webb spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments which included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training. They performed close order drill and operated as a small infantry unit during field training. Webb and other recruits also received instruction on the Marine Corps’ core values-honor, courage and commitment, and what the core values mean in guiding personal and professional conduct. Webb and fellow recruits ended the training phase with The Crucible, a 54-hour, team evolution culminating in an emotional ceremony in which recruits are presented the Marine Corps Emblem, and addressed as “Marines” for the first time in their careers.

Airman 1st Class Lance H. Griffin

Air Force Airman 1st Class Lance H. Griffin is currently deployed in Southwest Asia to support the missions of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The servicemember is assigned to the 386th Expeditionary Wing providing military aerial operations from its forward-deployed location to sites in Kuwait and Iraq. Wing members are responsible for tactical airlift missions into Iraq, Kuwait, and the Horn of Africa region. C-130 cargo/transport aircraft fly regular missions which include rotating soldiers during their rest and recreation periods, transporting Iraqi police cadets, and resupplying forward-deployed troops. The servicemember is a crew chief normally assigned to the 755th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Ariz. He is the son of Leon and Rachel Griffin of Quassaick Ave., New Windsor, NY. His wife, Katie, is the daughter of Karen Meyer of Vails Gate, NY. Griffin is a 2002 graduate of Newburgh Free Academy, NY.

Airman Anthony J. Ruggerio

Air Force Airman Anthony J. Ruggerio 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, 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 degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Ruggerio is the son of James Ruggerio of Buttermilk Drive, New Windsor, NY. He is a 1996 graduate of Cornwall High School, NY.

Pvt Julio C. Barahona

Marine Corps Pvt Julio C. Barahona, son of Belkis Quinonez of Newburgh, NY, completed the Marine Corps Enlisted Warehouse Basic Course. During the course with Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools Training Command, Camp Lejeune, NC, students are provided with a comprehensive theoretical and practical background in the performance and administration of duties as a warehouse clerk. Studies include storage and issue procedures, record keeping, inventory of materials, storing gear, and running warehouse machinery such as a forklift. Barahona is a 2005 graduate of Newburgh Free Academy of Newburgh, NY and joined the Marine Corps in July 2005.

Seaman Richard J. Corrigan

Navy Seaman Richard J. Corrigan, son of Richard J. Corrigan of Middletown, NY, completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. During the eight-week program, Corrigan completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness. The capstone event of boot camp is “Battle Stations”. This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. “Battle Stations” is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. Its distinctly “Navy” flavor that was designed to take into account what it means to be a Sailor. Corrigan is a 2001 graduate of Minisink Valley High School of Slate Hill, NY.