August 25, 2006 -  Pvt. 1^st Class Blake J. Downing, of Maryville, was in the top six of the 250 Soldiers that graduated basic combat training in his battery at Fort Sill, Okla. 

Downing, a senior at Maryville High School, stated that his platoon was successful in winning a majority of the competitions receiving the honor platoon status.  “I liked basic training a lot,” he stated.  Downing accredited part of his basic training success to his involvement in high school football, wresting, and baseball as well as his active participation with the National Guard’s Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP). 

“The RSP helped me be a top Soldier,” stated Downing.  “I knew a lot about basic military knowledge, marching and facing movements unlike most of the Soldiers.” 

Downing stated that his favorite part of basic training was meeting so many new people.  Though it took effort to learn to live along side so many Soldiers, he stated that many lasting friendships were made. 

Finding success at basic training has brought Downing back to Maryville with pride.  “I am much more disciplined,” he stated. 

Downing will attend advanced individual training for the Army National Guard next summer following his high school graduation.  He will be trained as a military signal support systems specialist.  He hopes to attend Northwest Missouri State University and major in sports medicine and fitness. 

Downing is the son of Kim Swinford and Tom Downing.

July 17, 2006 - Spc. Patrick T. Scott, Jr., and Spc. Dillon R. Martin, of the Missouri Army National Guard, received the Command Sergeant Major Excellence Award for their outstanding performance during this year's annual training held at Fort Leonard Wood from June 3 - 17, 2006.

Both Soldiers serve in the Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battery of the 1st Battalion 129th Field Artillery located in Maryville.

Scott has served in the Guard for three years as a field artillery surveyor.  He is the son of Patrick Scott Sr., of Smithville, and Sandra Clark, of Leon, Iowa.  Scott and his wife, Janey, reside in Gower. They have two children, Trinity and Macy.

Martin has served in the Guard for two years as a field artillery surveyor.  He is a 2005 graduate of Tarkio High School and is the son of Carol Martin, of St. Joseph, and Cheryl Farley, of Tarkio.  He resides in Tarkio.

July 17, 2006 - Sgt. Nathan Wilson, of the Missouri Army National Guard, received the Missouri Commendation Ribbon for their exemplary leadership during the Guard's annual training in June at Fort Leonard Wood.

Wilson serves in the Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battery of the 1st Battalion 129th Field Artillery located in Maryville.  He is a newly promoted sergeant and excelled in his first time leading his squad consisting of four Soldiers.

Wilson is a 2002 graduate of Maryville High School and is the son of Ronald and Elaine Wilson, of Maryville.  He has served in the Guard for over five years.

July 17, 2006 - Sgt. Aceaph L. Stinnett, of the Missouri Army National Guard, received the Missouri Commendation Ribbon for their exemplary leadership during the Guard's annual training in June at Fort Leonard Wood.

Stinnett serves in the Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battery of the 1st Battalion 129th Field Artillery located in Maryville.  He is a newly promoted sergeant and excelled in his first time leading his squad consisting of four Soldiers.

Stinnett is a 1998 graduate of Nodaway Holt High School and is the son of Danny Stinnett, of Maitland, and Patricia Smith, of Maitland.  He has served in the military for nine years.

June 15, 2006 - Sgt. 1st Class David S. Weiss, of Maryville, recently received his fifth Long Service Ribbon from the Missouri Army National Guard in honor of his eighteen years of service.  Weiss serves in the Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battery of the 1st Battalion 129th Field Artillery located in Maryville.

Weiss is the son of Barry and Denise Weiss of Maitland and is employed by the Local 110 Carpenters and Millwrights Union.  He and his wife, Julie, have three children; Rachael, Connor and Katherine.

May 23, 2006 - Spc. Daniel Harding of Ridgeway received the Missouri National Guard Long Service Ribbon in honor of his fifth year of service in the Guard.

Harding currently serves as an administrative specialist for the Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battery of the 1st Battalion 129th Field Artillery located in Maryville.

Harding is the son of Marvin Harding, of Ridgeway, and Debbie O'Neil, of Bethany. He graduated from Ridgeway High School in 1999 and Northwest Missouri State University in 2004 with a degree in Financial Services and Corporate Finance.