Heroes on duty during the holidays: remembering those serving

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During the next few editions, The Citizen will recognize and support our local military men and women serving our country away from home during the holiday season. Please contact The Citizen at 248-627-4332 or e-mail us at citnews@charterinternet.com with the names of Brandon or Goodrich High School graduates currently serving.
SPC Joseph Stewart
SPC Joseph Stewart, 23, is currently stationed at Fort Bragg, NC and is a parachute rigger for the Special Forces 7th Group Airborne. The 2003 Brandon High School graduate returned from an Afghanistan deployment in October 2008 for the birth of his daughter, Kelly Elizabeth.
Stewart is married to Becky (Vargo), also a Brandon graduate, and has been in the service for three years and has reenlisted for five more years. While in Afghanistan, he and his team bundled and packed supplies for parachute drops to the troops.
Stewart misses being with his family and friends in Michigan, especially spending time with his brother and getting to know his 2-year-old nephew. He also misses the snow and being on the slopes snowboarding.
He is the son of Jim and Sara Stewart of Brandon Township.
PFC William Daniel Rathburg
PFC William Daniel (Dan) Rathburg, 35, is currently stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany with the Army as a combat engineer, heavy equipment operator. The 1992 Brandon High School graduate joined the service in June.
He is married to Angela, 32, and has three children, Austin, 12, Seth, 6, and Laina, 3. Rathburg is the son of Bill and Jan Rathburg of Brandon Township and Lenora and Dave Rodd of Independence Township. He is the brother of Jennifer, Robert and Andrew.
At the holidays, he misses standing outside on Christmas Eve in 20-degree weather to deep fry the turkey, being with his family, and waking up Christmas morning to share with his wife the delight in his children’s eyes when they see the gifts Santa has brought.
EM3 Jeremy Johnson
EM3 Jeremy Johnson, 24, is serving in the Navy, stationed on the USS Charlotte in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
The 2003 Brandon High School graduate is an electrician’s mate, working with the engines on a nuclear submarine. He has served three years of a 6-year term and will be deployed in January to the western Pacific.
He misses his family, friends, and snow.
Johnson is the son of Marilyn and Skip James of Groveland Township and Jeff and Denise Johnson of Troy.
Army Major Troy Houseworth
Army Major Troy Houseworth, 35, is currently serving a 6-month deployment in Baghdad, Iraq. The 1992 Goodrich High School graduate is a general surgeon who has been on active duty for four years, since finishing his residency. He will return to Keller Hospital in West Point, NY in January.
This holiday season, Houseworth misses his family. He is married to Angela, and they have two daughters, Ava, 4, and Willa Grace, 6-months-old. Houseworth is the son of Judy and Bob Houseworth of Atlas Township and the brother of Tammy Bolongaita of Goodrich and Todd Houseworth of Novi.
Correction
Mail for Air Force Master Sergeant David Quigley can be sent to: David Quigley, CMR 450 Box 78 APO AE 09705.

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During the next several editions, The Citizen will recognize and support our local military men and women serving our country away from home during the holiday season. Please contact The Citizen at 248-627-4332 or e-mail us at citnews@charterinternet.com with the names of Brandon or Goodrich High School graduates currently serving.

Army Pvt. E-3 Thomas ‘Cody? Longan

Army Pvt. E-3 Thomas ‘Cody? Longan, 23, is specializing in mechanized infantry at Fort Stewart, Ga.
The 2004 Brandon High School graduate earned an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Oakland Community College in the spring. He finished basic training with the Army in Ft. Benning, Ga. on Oct. 10 and seven days later, married Lindsay Gerber, daughter of Dave and Ruth Gerber (Dave is the pastor of Lake Louise Church of the Nazarene).
Longan will be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan in the future and misses his family and friends in Michigan, which includes parents, Denise and Tom Longan, sister, Nicole, and brother, Cary, all of Brandon Township.

Air Force Master Sergeant David Quigley

Air Force Master Sergeant David Quigley, 41, is currently serving at the NATO base in Belgium, where he has been stationed since August 2007 and will remain for the next few years.
The 1985 Brandon High School graduate is married to Christy and has two children, Meghan and Nicholas. Quigley is the son of Wanda and the late Jack D. Quigley of Ortonville. He appreciates cards and letters, which can be sent to: David Quigley, CMR 450 Box 78 ATO AE 19705.

Airman First Class Jeffrey Daniel Michal

Airman First Class Jeffrey Daniel Michal, 23, is in his second year in the Air Force, stationed at the Travis Air Force base in Vacaville, Calif.
Michal works in the services area and will be training to be a fireman in the Air Force. He is currently on standdown for deployment to Iraq.
Michal misses his friends and family, which includes parents, Daniel and Sharon Michal and sister, Kimberly, all of Hadley Township. He has told his mother to tell everyone, ‘Merry Christmas.?
Mail can be sent to: Jeffrey Michal 300 Ogden Way Vacaville, CA 95687

Army Pfc. Edward J. Utsler, Jr.

Army Pfc. Edward J. Utsler, Jr., 22, is stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colo. with the Alpha CO-212, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment. They will deploy to Afghanistan in May 2009.
The 2004 Brandon High School graduate completed basic training in infantry at Fort Carson, Ga. When asked what he misses the most about home, Utsler said he misses his family, which includes his mom, Michelle, and brother Matt of Ortonville; uncles Tom (Deb) and Jim, of Ortonville, and Mike (Pam), of Lake Orion; his cousins and friends, Austin Hickman and Dave Ratliff, and his dog, Bear.
Michelle says, ‘We are all very proud of Ed and everyone serving our country. Our prayers are with all.?
Cards and letters can be sent to:
PFC Edward J. Utsler, Jr.
Fort Carson
A-CO212
Colorado Springs, CO 80913
Bldg. 1365 Rm 302B
or e-mail edwardutslerjr@yahoo.com

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