Soldier trains
Chantel Nelson, Merced, Calif., completed basic training at Fort Sill, Okla., and is attending Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
Her graduation was attended by her grandfather, Bill Lucas, Branchdale, and her mother, Kelly Lucas, and her grandmother, Dine McQuellen, both of San Jose, Calif.
Named sergeant
Joanna Wehr, a 2006 graduate of Mahanoy Area High School, has been promoted to sergeant.
She served two tours in Afghanistan and is stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, with PCS to Fort Drum, N.Y., shortly.
Wehr has been awarded numerous citations including Expert Rifle Marksmanship, Army Commendation Medal, Army Valorous, Meritorious Unit, Army Achievement, Presidential Unit, Good Conduct, National Defense Service, Global War on Terrorism, and NATO ISAF Afghanistan.
She is a daughter of Lee A. and Dorothy Wehr, Barnesville, and granddaughter of Muriel Wehr, Grier City.
Basic completed
Navy Seaman Apprentice Heather P. Kern, daughter of Thomas K. Kern, Tallahassee, Fla., and Lisa M. Kern, Auburn, completed Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Kern completed a variety of training that included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.
The capstone event of boot camp is "Battle Stations," an exercise that gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet and is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment.
Kern is a 2013 graduate of Emmaus High School.