By ADAM STEWART

Staff writer

Louis Holt of Marion and Dillon Ray Smith of Carthage, Mo., graduated from Air Force basic training Friday, but neither was the first member of their family to serve in the military.

Three of Holt’s grandparents served in World War II. His paternal grandfather, Arnold Holt, was part of the Army Air Corps, which later became the Air Force. He was wounded in combat and received a Purple Heart, his mother, Ann Holt, said.

His maternal grandparents also served in the military during World War II. John Beverly Cameron was in the Navy, and Monica Farrell was in the Women’s Army Corps, Ann Holt said.

She said she and Louis’ father, Terry, “are excited for him because this is what he has wanted to do.”

Smith’s grandfather, Bill Holdeman of Marion, joined the Marine Corps during World War II and served in the Pacific.

“He’s still a Marine today as much as he was then,” Holdeman’s wife, Feebie, said.

The Holdemans were proud when they learned of Smith’s decision to enlist on his own. He had made the decision before he asked his parents, Nathan and Carol Smith, to sign paperwork to allow him to enlist at age 17.

“We’re very proud of Dillon,” Feebie Holdeman said. “We’re always concerned for his safety, naturally, but we’re more concerned about not seeing him.”

Graduate completes training

Army Reserve Pvt. Jeffery W. Turk recently graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During nine weeks of training, he studied the Army mission, history, tradition, and values. He also worked on physical fitness and practiced the skills needed for combat and military service.

Turk is a 2004 graduate of Marion High School. Bradley and Lurretta Turk of Marion are his parents.

Grandson completes training

Navy Seaman Recruit Ryan W. Smith recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill. He is now attending Naval Submarine School at Groton, Conn.

Janet J. and Craig W. Smith of Ozawkie are his parents. Royal and Mary Smith, Marion, and the late Valerian “Jerry” and Margaret Bezdek, Florence, are his grandparents.

Smith is a 2009 graduate of Jefferson West High School in Meriden, Kan.