Editor's note: The Source newspapers publish available information about Virgin Islanders who are serving their country in the military. For earlier notices, see previous months' files in this section. Please e-mail information about yourself or any family member serving in these regards to source@viaccess.net Provide the individual's full name, age, rank, service branch or organization, home island, immediate family members in the Virgin Islands, brief description of education and training, and, if possible, a description of where the person is based or has been deployed. Please limit the information to about 200 words. We welcome photos.
Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice Sulayne E. Bonelli/St. Thomas
Aug. 8, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice Sulayne E. Bonelli, daughter of Verna E. Bonelli of Kissimmee, Fla. and Bonelli A. Marvin of St. Thomas, V. I., recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N. J. and was promoted to her present rank. During the eight-week training program, Bonelli completed a curriculum consisting of classroom academics and practical instruction on military customs and courtesies, water safety and survival, seamanship skills, first aid, fire fighting and marksmanship. A major emphasis is also placed on physical fitness and health.
She also received instruction on the Coast Guard's three core values — honor, respect and devotion to duty – and how to apply them in her military performance and personal conduct. To reinforce the team concept, Bonelli and other recruits were trained in preventing sexual harassment, drug and alcohol awareness, civil rights training, and the basics of the work-life balance, as well as total quality management. She is now among 36, 000 men and women who comprise the Coast Guard force.
Bonelli is a 2002 graduate of Osceola High School of Kissimmee, Fla.
Army Pfc. Keith G. Nicholas/St. Thomas
Aug. 9, 2005 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Pfc. Keith G. Nicholas has arrived for duty in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Nicholas is a light-wheel vehicle mechanic assigned to the 251st Combat Training Center.
He is the son of Nancy and Peter G. Nicholas of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Navy Seaman Amoise A. Matthew/St. Thomas
Aug. 19, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Seaman Recruit Amoise A. Matthew, son of Marilyn L. and John J. Matthew of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Matthew 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 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. It is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance. Recruits learn the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment.
Matthew is a 2003 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School of St. Thomas, V.I.
Navy Seaman Recruit Clarence D. Alexis/St. Croix
Aug. 30, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Seaman Recruit Clarence D. Alexis, son of Genevieve M. Carr of Kingshill, V. I. and Junior D. Alexis of Frederiksted, V. I., was recently promoted to his current rank upon graduation from recruit training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Alexis received the early promotion for outstanding performance during all phases of the training cycle. Training included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety, 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. It is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Its distinctly "Navy" flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a sailor.
Civilian Thomas S. Barrows Participates in U.S. Naval Academy Seminar/St. Thomas
Aug.31, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Civilian Thomas S. Barrows III, son of Jean H. and Thomas S. Barrows of St. Thomas, V. I., recently participated in the U.S. Naval Academy's weeklong summer seminar program in Annapolis, Md. During the program, Barrows was introduced to academy life through a regimen of academics, physical training, intramural sports, sailing and seamanship, as well as leadership training and social activities. The summer seminar program was designed by the U.S. Naval Academy's office of admissions to give students a taste of the challenges and benefits of a Naval Academy education.
Barrows is currently attending Antilles School.
