Santa Maria Times from Santa Maria, California • 23

Women in U.S. invosion hailed Overseas work suits this local Navy Airman Recruit Forrest S. White of Arroyo Grande has completed recruit training at Recruit Training Command, San Diego. During White's eight-week training cycle, he studied general military subjects designed to prepare him for further academic and on-the-job training in one of the Navy's 85 basic fields. White's studies included seamanship, close order drill, Naval history and first aid.

Personnel who complete this course of instruction are eligible for three hours of college credit in physical education and hygiene. Me is a 1989 graduate of Arroyo Grande High School. Earlier in the day. the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee said Congress will "probably take a step forward" on the role of women in combat in light of their stepped up role in Panama. But the senator, John Warner of Virginia, said he does not foresee "full equality" for female soldiers.

"There are still certain areas whe're we cannot co-locate men and women in close confinement," Warner, said in a telephone interview with reporters. The former Navy secretary, joined by Sen. Sam Nunn, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, traveled to Panama this past week to review the military operations in the wake of the Dec. 20 invasion that unseated Manuel Antonio Noriega. Warner said he met with a number of the women involved in the Panamanian invasion and they "performed with extraordinary professional skills." "We will re-examine in Congress based on their experiences and determine if we have the right policy," said Warner.

Rep. Patricia Schroeder, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said this past week that she is drafting legislation that would allow women to serve in Army combat as part of a four-year test program. Warner, in his telephone interi-vew from San Jose, Costa Rica, said, "We'll probably take a step forward based on the events in Panama but it will not result in full equality." Warner, who plans to travel to El Salvador and Guatemala and is awaiting approval of a visa to Nicaragua, said the initial opposition among the Central American nations to the U.S. military intervention in Panama has subsided. But Bush backs off comment on role in combat WASHINGTON (AP) President Bush hailed the "heroic performance" Friday of American women who fought in the U.S.

invasion of Panama, but said he will reserve judgment on the role of females in combat pending Pentagon review. The involvement of approximately 600 women of the nearly 26,000 American troops who took part in the U.S. invasion has renewed the debate over women in combat. Army regulations prohibit women from serving in combat and U.S. law bars women from combat in the Navy and Air Force.

Questioned about the participation of women in the invasion, Bush said their original assignments were non-combat, but, "any time you have a highly trained, gung-ho volunteer force and they're caught up in some of the firefights that went on, a person can be put into a combat situation." During the invasion, Army Capt. Linda L. Bray led male and female troops from a military police platoon into combat with approximately 40 members of the Panamanian Defense Forces hiding in a dog kennel. Three members of the Panamanian Defense Forces were killed. "I would let the heroic performance of these people be weighed and measured, and then see if the Defense Department wanted to recommend to the president any additional changes," Bush told reporters at a news briefing.

COMISO, SICILY Sicily, with its wind-scarred and sun-blistered land make a striking picture as the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean push against ancient shores. Resting at the tip of Italy, Sicily is a land almost forgotten by time. Small villages with narrow twisting streets still dot the island, and the easy-going lifestyle is relaxing to Americans. For a Santa Maria resident, this is home. Away from the husy life of the big cities, Air Force 1st Lt.

Jeffrey R. Miller, the 487th Mission Support Commander, works and lives near the small village of Comiso. Miller, the son-in-law of Wayne and Gloria Dickey of Santa Maria, is assigned to Comiso Air Station, Sicily. "Sicily is history: The temples, churches and old cities are fantastic to explore. The people are very friendly and seem to welcome Americans, especially the older folks who were here during World War II," said Miller.

"I really worked hard to get this assignment. I really enjoy it here. Others hate it here because it is a remote assignment (12 months at an isolated site), and they don't have shopping centers, fast-food restaurants and other American conveniences. I wouldn't trade this experience for another assignment anywhere." While Sicily is a new experience for most Americans, and they do enjoy the differences, many things Americans have come to expect are not available in Sicily. Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice Mark A.

Briggs was recently graduated from Coast Guard recruit training. Briggs attended the eight-week training at the Coast Guard Cen-tefc Cape May, N.J. Among the subjects he studied were first aid, Coast Guard history and seaman-sh, communications, damage control, firefighting and physical conditioning. Me is a 1984 graduate of Santa Ytjez High School and an 1988 graduate of Westmont College, Santa Barbara, with a bachelor of arts degree. He joined the Coast Guard in May 1989.

Relishing his work abroad 1st. Lt. Jeffrey Miller likes remote assignment Navy Fireman Apprentice Aristotle Tucay, a 1988 graduate of Santa Maria High School, recently deployed to the western Pacific Ocean while serving aboard the battleship USS New Jersey, hofheported in San Diego. He joined the Navy in May 1988. "The weather in Sicily is beautiful and the facilities at the base are new.

The small population on base makes it seem like a hometown. Everyone helps each other in time of need and many professional relationships develop into personal friendships," said Miller. Comiso Air Station is a Ground Launched Cruise Missile base, scheduled to close in 1991 under the conditions of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty. UntH then, Americans like Miller will keep working to ensure peace in NATO. Miller is married to the former Julie A.

Dickey. Miller received his bachelor's degree in 1982 from the University of Maine at Machias. He received his masters degree from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, in 1988. Never too old to be in love Marine Lance Cpl. Allen L.

Stewart, son of Lance Stewart of Vandenberg AFB, has been meritoriously promoted to his present rank while serving with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Cherry Point, N.C. Stewart received the accelerated promotion in recognition of outstanding performance, duty proficiency and demonstrated professional abilities. three hours of college credit in physical education and hygiene. He is a 1981 graduate of Santa Maria High School and joined the Navy in July 1989. fright brief serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forestal, homeported in Mayport, Fla.

During the six-month deployment, he will visit numerous countries and participate in various Sixth Fleet and NATO exercises in the region. Northrup is a 1988 graduate of" Lompoc Senior High School and joined the Marine Corps in November 1988. ous physical training program and received instruction in the theory of parachuting. The second week they received practical training by jumping from 34-foot and 250-foot towers. The final week they made five staticline parachumps including one night jump.

Thornton is the son of Maggie Thornton of Cambria and Galen Thornton of Arroyo Grande. He is a 1988 graduate of Coast Joint Union High School, "We decided we needed each other," he said. Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice Timothy B. Shobar, son of James F. and Nancy R.

Shobar of Santa Maria, was recently graduated from Coast Guard recruit training. Shobar attended the eight-week training at the Coast Guard Center, Cape May, N.J. Among the subjects he studied were first aid, Coast Guard history and seamanship, communications, damage control, firefighting, and physical conditioning. He joined the Coast Guard in June 1989. By The Associated Press RICHMOND, Ind.

Juanita Pierson and Albert Johnson were just neighbors at the Oak Ridge Convalescent Center until the day he asked her if she'd like to watch the news on television with him. "He pulled my wheelchair over to the door of his room," Pierson said. With a smile, she added: "I can't say it's been just to the door since." They were married Tuesday after a five-month courtship. Pierson, 79, is a lifelong Richmond resident who was married for 50 years. Johnson, 82, has lived here since 1924 and was married for 52 years.

Both are widowed, have five children and suffered strokes that confine them to wheelchairs. Tacky and glitzy or chic and ritzy, neon lights up a new exhibit here in a state that's been called the neon capital of the world with its blazing casino "There definitely was a time when neon was considered tacky, kind of low life. But now it's tres chic and it's everywhere," said Erik Lauritzen, curator of the Nevada Historical Society exhibit. "People aren't just using it to advertise but they're using it in art, as decoration and in architecture," he said Friday. Marine 1st Lt.

Matthew K. Walmsley, whose wife, Robin, is the daughter of Nola C. Wilson of Santa Maria, was designated a Naval aviator. Presentations of the "Wings of Gold" marked culmination of 18 months of flight training. Part of Walmsley's curriculum included basic studies in engineering and navigation, training flights in simulators, basic and advanced instrument training, and landings aboard an aircraft-carrier.

He is a 1977 graduate oft Santa Maria High School and a 1985 graduate of Cal State Chico, with a Bachelor of arts degree. He joined the Marine Corps Reserves in December 1986. Baby Ruth candy bars were named for President Grover Cleveland's daughter, Ruth, who died tragically at the age of 12. The candy company's president, a longtime friend of President Cleveland, decided to honor Baby Ruth iy naming the candy bar after her, explains The Kids' World Almanac. Air Force Tech.

Sgt. Ronald E. Miller, son of Edward Miller of Arroyo Grande, has arrived for duty at Eilson AFB, Alaska. Miller ia a tactical aircraft maintenance technician with the 343rd Aircraft Generation Squadron. 4 The sergeant is a 1972 graduate of Arroyo Grande High School.

Pvt. Shannon S. Thornton has received the parachutist badge upon completion of the three-week airborne course at the U.S. Army Infantry School, Fort Ben-nign, Ga. During the first week of training, students underwent a rigor Trust Your Memories To The Professionals Town Center Mall 928-6606 1 mn i 11 MIDWAY APPLIANCE PARTS COMPLETE STOCK OF PARTS FOR: WASHERS DRYERS RANGES STOVES REFRIGERATORS FREEZERS DISHWASHERS Navy Seaman Recruit Elrio Jose A.

Aguilus, son of Marcial R. Aguilus of Santa Maria, has completed recruit training at Recruit Training Command, San Diego. During Aguilus's eight-week training cycle, he studied general military subjects designed to prepare him for further academic and on-the-job training in one of the Navy's 85 basic fields. Aguilus's studies included seamanship, close order drill, Naval history and first aid. Personnel who complete this course of instruction are eligible for three hours of college credit in physical education and hygiene.

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During Rodenberger's eight-week training cycle, he studied general military subjects designed to prepare him for further academic and on-the-job training in one of the Navy's 85 basic fields. Rodenberger's studies included seamanship, close order drill, Naval history and first aid. Personnel who complete this course of instruction are eligible for 134 East. Inger Santa Maria 'Mention this ad-got a 20 discount or Answering Service No. 925-3525 We'll Bring Marine Pfc.

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