COLUMBUS, Ga. — Army Pvt. Gary V. Rende Jr. has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. During the nine weeks of training, Rende 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 Gary Rende and Karen Reynolds, both of Ilion. Rende is a 2006 graduate of Ilion Junior-Senior High School.
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LATHAM — Newly Commissioned Air National Guard 2nd Lieutenant Drew Brewer of Mohawk completed his training at the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science on June 26, earning his commission as an officer with the New York Air National Guard. Brewer completed his training and earned distinction as the course honor graduate. Brewer’s military service follows a family tradition. His father, Maj. Dana Brewer, serves with the New York Army National Guard as a training officer with the Joint Force Headquarters operations section in Latham. Brewer serves as a C-130 navigator in the Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing in Scotia. Brewer has five years of total military service. He is a 2007 graduate of Nyack College in Albany and a 2002 graduate of Mohawk High School.