ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, December 18, 1996 TAG: 9612180022
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-13 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
A Pilot native is a member of the Joint Task Force that is stationed at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras. Army Warrant Officer Stephen L. Clower is one of of 500 Army and Air Force task force members helping to change the plight and quality of life of the poor in the economically strapped area. He services on the JTF as a member of the task force's aviation company as a UH-60G Blackhawk helicopter pilot.
The Joint Task Force is deployed with a multifaceted mission: maintaining U.S. and Honduran Air Force operations, illegal drug interdiction support, airborne search and rescue capabilities, and conducting humanitarian and civic assistance throughout the Central American region. One of the task force's major aspects is assisting Honduras and other nations build their infrastructure, such as roads and schools. The group also provides basic medical and surgical treatment for the poor and people living in remote, inaccessible areas of the country.
"It's really hot here all year round, even during the rainy season," Clower said. "I miss the change of seasons like back home in Virginia, but it's nice to be able to wear shorts all the time. I tell my friends when we're flying the mountains here that it looks just like back home, except for all the banana and palm trees. Clower graduated from Floyd County. He expects to be back in the states February 1997. He is the son of Earl and Sandra Clower of Pilot.
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Jerry L. Crane has been promoted in the U.S. Army to the rank of specialist. Crane is a Morse interceptor at Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii. He is the son of Jerry and Linda Crane of Dublin. He graduated from Pulaski County High School in 1994.
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Air Force Airman Gregory W. Quesinberry graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Quesinberry is a 1994 graduate of Pulaski County High School. He is the son of Otis and Debra Quesinberry of Dublin.
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Lt. Col. John Eberhardt, commander of the First Battalion, 4th (Highland) Brigade of the Virginia Defense Force (VADF) has appointed First Lieutenant Henry R. "Hank" McNeil Jr. of Pulaski to Commander of "C" Company. The appointment took place during a command change ceremony at Fort Pickett on Nov. 2. Cpt. Martin G. Gallimore of Elliston was the outgoing commander.
McNeil is a recent retired senior non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. He has been stationed at various posts throughout the United States and served during the Vietnam War. His awards and decorations include the National defense Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Good conduct Award (4th) and the Army Commendation Medal.
McNeil is employed by Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corp. in Dublin. He lives in Pulaski with his wife, Lynne, and their four daughters.
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Army Pvt. Hee Y. Amos recently graduated from basic military training at Fort Leonard wood, Waynesville, Mo. She is the granddaughter of Edna K. Amos of Blacksburg.
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: 1. Army Warrant Officer Stephen L. Clower is a member ofby CNBthe Joint Task Force's aviation company as a UH-60G Blackhawk
helicopter pilot stationed at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras. 2.
(headshot) Quesinberry.