Military news

Army Capt. Jeremy Gilkes, son of Martha and George Gilkes of St. Petersburg, has been serving in Iraq since September as company commander of the 82nd Airborne of Fort Bragg, N.C. He is a 1993 graduate of Shorecrest Preparatory School and a 1997 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Navy Fireman William D. Bussing, brother of Kathleen Gregor of South Pasadena, has left on a routine deployment aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea, home port Mayport, as part of the USS Enterprise Carrier Strike Group. He is a 1998 graduate of Northeast High School.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Richard W. Leapard, son of Richard W. Leapard of St. Petersburg and Vera M. Altridge of Tampa, has left on a routine deployment aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, home port Mayport, as part of the USS Enterprise Carrier Strike Group. He is a 1994 graduate of King High School in Tampa and joined the Navy in 1998.

Marine Pfc. Anthony V. Rodriguez, son of Charlotte and Victor Arroyo and Jose and Heather Rodriguez, all of St. Petersburg, has graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. He earned a sharpshooter medal and a first class score on the Physical Fitness Test. He is a 2003 graduate of Dixie Hollins High School.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Deon C. Promise, son of Ida Promise of St. Petersburg, recently returned from an eight-month deployment to the western Pacific aboard the USS Carl Vinson, home port Bremerton, Wash. He joined the Navy in 2000.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Andre Smith, son of Mae L. Speights of St. Petersburg, is serving in Iraq in the southern city of An Nasiriyah, with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7. His unit is assisting with convoys, watch-standing, radio operations, administrative coordination and project operations.

Marine Pvt. Clinton M. Tibbetts, son of Kelly and Kent Tibbetts of Pinellas Park, has graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., with Platoon 2080, "Hotel Co." He will continue his training at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and plans to join the Military Police.

- Send Military News to Catherine Cushing, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731 or cushing@sptimes.com Please include a photo if available and your return address and phone number.

Click here for the Neighborhood Times Social Calendar

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Contact the Times | Privacy Policy Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright