Air Force Airman Silver D. Gonzales graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Gonzales is the daughter of George and Cornelia Gonzales, of Rockford. She is also the big sister to Mercedes, George, Allexis, Reese, Zoe, Tacho, Cora, Pistachio and Lillianna Gonzales, who are all very proud of her.

Gonzales is a 2012 graduate of Cedar Springs High School.

Airman 1^st Class Sean G. Gorby, a 2010 graduate of Cedar Springs High School, has chosen to enlist in the USAF for 6yrs. He graduated from his basic military training on March 2, 2012 at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. He was then assigned to the position of “Materials Management” Tech School, in which he has recently graduated as TOP Grad of his class. Airman 1^st Class Sean G. Gorby will be stationed overseas in June.

Sean is the son of Jeff and Debbie Gorby and has a younger brother Keegan. He is a 2010 graduate of Cedar Springs High School.

“We are so proud of him!” said Debbie. “Please take a moment and pray for all our men and women of our Armed Forces and say, ‘Thank You and God bless all of you!’”

First Sergeant Michael J. Poll II US Army 236th ICTC was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for service in Afghanistan 2011-2012.

Staff Sergeant Michael F. Vandenboss US Army 236th ICTC being awarded the Army Commendation medal for service in Afghanistan 2011-2012

The Post is happy to announce the return of two good friends from Afghanistan.

First Sgt. Michael J. Poll II, and Staff Sgt. Michael F. Vandenboss, both of Sand Lake, returned home Tuesday evening, April 24. Poll, a 1989 graduate of Tri County High School was gone for four years on back to back tours, and Vandenboss was gone for a year.

“I’m hoping now to be home for a long time,” said Poll.

Poll, who served with the US Army 236th ICTC was awarded the Bronze Star medal for his service in Afghanistan in 2011-2012. Vandenboss, who also served with the US Army 236th ICTC, was awarded the Army Commendation medal for his service in Afghanistan in 2011-2012.

The two men would love to see all their family and friends, Poll said.

David Lange, a 2007 Cedar Springs graduate, will be leaving for Afghanistan at the end of March, for a 9-month tour of duty.

Specialist Lange joined the Army National Guard, while still in high school, in 2007. In Dec. 2009, he went on active duty and was assigned as a Cavalry Scout to Ft. Carson, Colorado. Three months later, his unit was deployed to the Basrah region of Iraq, and returned last March. He recently received additional training at Ft. Polk, Louisiana, in preparation for his Afghanistan deployment.

David will be home on leave from March 8-16, and then return to Ft. Carson to ship out. While in Afghanistan, he hopes to meet up with his best friend, Jeremy Laatz, also a 2007 CS graduate, who was deployed earlier this year.

David is the son of Dave and Cyndy Lange of Cedar Springs.

Airman Jacquelyn M. Champion, a 2010 graduate of Cedar Springs High School, graduated from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, on January 13, 2012, and is now at Sheppard Air Force Base, in Texas, doing her technical school.

Jacquelyn is the daughter of Jim and Theresa Champion, of Cedar Springs.

Senior Airman Shane Cole

Senior Airman Shane R. Cole completed K-9 training in May, 2011, at Lackland AFB, Texas.
In July, Airman Cole was awarded an achievement medal and a good conduct medal, while serving under the 90th missile wing.
Shane has since been transferred to Andrews AFB, Washington D.C., where he completed his K-9 certification with his partner, Dixie.
Shane is a 2007 graduate of Cedar Springs High School. Rosa, Sean, Mom (Janet) and Dale are very proud of him.

Air Force Airman Adam J. Orlowski graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Orlowski is the son of Gayle Kramer of Simmons Avenue, Sand Lake.
He is a 2011 graduate of Tri County High School, Howard City.

Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) Shirley Mitchell (Bratcher) and Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Brian Sherman are brother and sister currently serving in the U.S. Air Force at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Battle Creek, MI.
SMSgt Mitchell enlisted in Nov 1991 and is assigned to the 217th Air Operations Group, Air Component Operations Squadron, Surgeon General’s Office as the Health Services Management Superintendent.  She now has 20 years of service in.
SSgt Sherman enlisted in April 2005.  SSgt Brian Sherman is assigned to the 110th Civil Engineering Squadron, Fire Operations, as a Fire Fighter. Both are graduates of Cedar Springs High School.

Lcpl. Garry Lewis, a 2009 graduate of Cedar Springs High School, graduated in September 2009 from the Marine Corp Recruit Depot in San Diego, California.
He will be deployed to Bahrain in the beginning of October to train with their foreign military.
Garry is the son of Eric and Tracie (Lewis) Stroh, of Spencer Township, brother of Cierra and Carissa, and grandson of James and Luania (Skip) Lewis.

Pvt. Justin Lubben, a 2011 graduate of Cedar Springs High School, graduated on September 9 from the Marine Corp Recruit Depot in San Diego, California.
He is now headed to Pensacola, Florida, to train to be an aircraft mechanic.
Justin is the son of Merriea and Charles Lubben, of Courtland Township.