Army Reserve Captain Lara Brown

March 5, 2010

Army Reserve Capt. Lara N. Brown has been mobilized and activated at Fort Dix, N.J., in preparation for deployment to serve in support of either Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom. The soldier is a member of 418th Civil Affairs Battalion, Belton, Mo. The soldiers are normally activated from Army Reserve or Army National Guard units from throughout the U.S. They go through a series of in-processing procedures and training classes that prepare them for skills and situations they may face in their deployed environment. Brown is a preventive medicine officer and team leader with eight years of military service. She is the daughter of Lauren E. and Jill R. Brown of Rural Route 1, Hudson, Ill. The captain graduated in 1987 from University High School, Normal, Ill., and received a bachelor's degree in 1990 from Illinois State University, Normal. She earned a master's degree in 1993 from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.

Army Private Ryan Alderman

March 5, 2010

Army Pvt. Ryan W. Alderman has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman. He is the son of Julie Christianson of Waylon Court, and Ward Alderman of Polaris Drive, both of Bloomington, Ill. Alderman is a 2001 graduate of Tri-Valley High School, Downs, Ill.

Army Private Joel Stover

March 5, 2010

Army Pvt. Joel M. Stover has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman. He is the son of Bryan and Darla Stover of N. Hershey Road, Bloomington, Ill. Stover is a 2009 graduate of Bloomington High School.