Fitch High School Alumni
Austintown, Ohio (OH)
Recent Members
| Amber Henik | 2011 |
| Chad Lopac | 1990 |
| Erica Lauren | 2019 |
| Larry Larry Banfield | 1966 |
| Megan Seigfried | 2002 |
| Thomas Old | 1964 |
| Tom Myers Tom Myers | 1974 |
| William Caskey | 1997 |
Military Alumni
Honoring Our Heroes
This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!
Lost Class Rings
Have you lost your Fitch High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Falcons lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Honored Military Alumni
Alfred E. Mason, Jr.
Class of 1965
Air Force, 20+ Years
I retired as a Colonel in 2001 after 30+ years of service. I started my career flying fighters and finished it leading a large organization that responsible for all the defense contractors west of the Mississippi River.
Class of 1965
Air Force, 20+ Years
I retired as a Colonel in 2001 after 30+ years of service. I started my career flying fighters and finished it leading a large organization that responsible for all the defense contractors west of the Mississippi River.
Bill Robinson
Class of 1986
Army, 20+ Years
Sapper turned Chaplain...working on being the last guy with a 3RD Armored Divison Combat patch on active duty.
Class of 1986
Army, 20+ Years
Sapper turned Chaplain...working on being the last guy with a 3RD Armored Divison Combat patch on active duty.
Charles Cavaliere
Class of 1977
Navy, 6 Years
Hospital Corpsman/Operating Room Technician
Marine Corps Medical Battalion
Class of 1977
Navy, 6 Years
Hospital Corpsman/Operating Room Technician
Marine Corps Medical Battalion
Christopher Hansen
Class of 1983
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
Active duty marine musician. What a terrific ride it's been!!! You gotta love Hawaii!!!!
Class of 1983
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
Active duty marine musician. What a terrific ride it's been!!! You gotta love Hawaii!!!!
Christopher Tunison
Class of 1998
Army, 10 Years
Long Range Surveilance Radio Operator
"In Orbe Terrum Non-Visi"
RLTW!!
Class of 1998
Army, 10 Years
Long Range Surveilance Radio Operator
"In Orbe Terrum Non-Visi"
RLTW!!
David Ward
Class of 1978
Army, 10 Years
4 years active Army (Enlisted)
6 years Ohio Army National Guard (Officer)
Class of 1978
Army, 10 Years
4 years active Army (Enlisted)
6 years Ohio Army National Guard (Officer)
EARL E. COOLEY
Class of 1983
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
EARL COOLEY HAS HONORABLY SERVED OUR COUNTRY AND THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORP. HE PARTICIPATED IN BOTH THE PERSIAN GULF WAR AND THE IRAQ WAR. HE WILL BE RETIRNG THIS COMING DECEMBER AS A GUNNERY SEARGENT WITH 20 YEARS.
NOT ONLY HAVE I SERVED IN THE MILITARY WITH HIM, HE IS ALSO MYCOUSIN AND MY FRIEND. I AM PROUD TO KNOW HIM.
PAUL T. HIGGINS
Class of 1983
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
EARL COOLEY HAS HONORABLY SERVED OUR COUNTRY AND THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORP. HE PARTICIPATED IN BOTH THE PERSIAN GULF WAR AND THE IRAQ WAR. HE WILL BE RETIRNG THIS COMING DECEMBER AS A GUNNERY SEARGENT WITH 20 YEARS.
NOT ONLY HAVE I SERVED IN THE MILITARY WITH HIM, HE IS ALSO MYCOUSIN AND MY FRIEND. I AM PROUD TO KNOW HIM.
PAUL T. HIGGINS
Elizabeth Nickel
Class of 1989
National Guard, 20+ Years
Telecommunications, wide variety of AFSCs, deployed to Mosul, Iraq from Aug 04 to Jan 05. Started in Ohio Air Guard, transferred to Maine Air National Guard and finally ended up in the New Hampshire Air National Guard as a MSgt. Served about 8 years of career in AGR positions in Maine and New Hampshire.
Class of 1989
National Guard, 20+ Years
Telecommunications, wide variety of AFSCs, deployed to Mosul, Iraq from Aug 04 to Jan 05. Started in Ohio Air Guard, transferred to Maine Air National Guard and finally ended up in the New Hampshire Air National Guard as a MSgt. Served about 8 years of career in AGR positions in Maine and New Hampshire.
Emil Basista
Class of 1967
Army, 4 Years
I took basic at Ft Dix and then went to Fort Gordon Georgia for crypo graph school.Graduated wit a top secret crypto security clearance.While waiting on my orders I played baseball on the camp team. I received my orders for Sinop,Turkey as a teletype operator.Served in Turkey for 18 months.Along with work,I was a DJ for our radio station KBOK.I had a blast in Turkey.I ended my miliyary career at Ft Huachuca,Arizona.I lived in Tucson and worked the copper mines.I got married,moved to Florida and took paramedic training and worked the Rescue Truck for Rockledge Fire Department for 8 years before returning to Ohio.
Class of 1967
Army, 4 Years
I took basic at Ft Dix and then went to Fort Gordon Georgia for crypo graph school.Graduated wit a top secret crypto security clearance.While waiting on my orders I played baseball on the camp team. I received my orders for Sinop,Turkey as a teletype operator.Served in Turkey for 18 months.Along with work,I was a DJ for our radio station KBOK.I had a blast in Turkey.I ended my miliyary career at Ft Huachuca,Arizona.I lived in Tucson and worked the copper mines.I got married,moved to Florida and took paramedic training and worked the Rescue Truck for Rockledge Fire Department for 8 years before returning to Ohio.
Jim Ritter
Class of 1970
Army Reserves, 20+ Years
Retired in 2004 from combination of 28 years active and reserve duty. Still serving as a DA civilian.
Class of 1970
Army Reserves, 20+ Years
Retired in 2004 from combination of 28 years active and reserve duty. Still serving as a DA civilian.
Kemell Sookey
Class of 1973
Navy, 20+ Years
Aviation Electronics Technician. Served with VA-27 maintaining the navigation and weapon delivery systems. Deployed on USS Enterprise. Calibration Technician on USS Abraham Lincoln.
Class of 1973
Navy, 20+ Years
Aviation Electronics Technician. Served with VA-27 maintaining the navigation and weapon delivery systems. Deployed on USS Enterprise. Calibration Technician on USS Abraham Lincoln.
kenneth e. fenstermacher
Class of 1984
Army, 20+ Years
Sergeant Major, Operation Iraqi Freedom
Class of 1984
Army, 20+ Years
Sergeant Major, Operation Iraqi Freedom
LaShaunta Cotton- Waller
Class of 1997
Air Force, 12 Years
Aircrew Flight Equipment Specialists manage, performs, and schedules inspections, maintenance, and adjustments of assigned aircrew flight equipment (AFE), aircrew chemical defense equipment (ACDE), associated supplies, and inventories assets.
Duties performed by these specialists include:
Inspects, maintains, packs and adjusts aircrew flight equipment such as flight helmets, oxygen masks, parachutes, flotation devices, survival kits, helmet mounted devices, aircrew night vision and other ocular systems, anti-G garments, aircrew eye and respiratory protective equipment, chemical biological protective oxygen masks and coveralls, and other types of AFE and aircrew chemical defense systems. Repairs fabric and rubber components, including protective clothing, thermal radiation barriers, flotation equipment, and various parachutes. Evaluates problems and determines feasibility of repair or replacement related to inspecting and repairing fabric, rubber equipment, and parachutes. Evaluates work orders for fabrication of authorized items.
Installs and removes aircraft-installed AFE. Uses various types of test equipment such as altimeters, oxygen testers, leakage testers, radio testers, and other types of testers to conduct reliability testing on AFE and ACDE. Maintains inspection and accountability documentation on AFE issued to aircrews or prepositioned on aircraft.
Job Training
Initial Skills Training (Tech School): AF Technical School graduation results in the award of a 3-skill level (apprentice). Following Basic Military Training, initial skills training is provided in a 3-level (apprentice) resident course taught at the 82d Training Group, 361st Training Squadron, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas (65 academic days).
During technical school, airmen will be trained on the following: AFE inspection and maintenance procedures; parachute construction; temperature and humidity affects on parachutes and other fabrics; characteristics of rubberized items; solvent, heat, and pressure affects on rubber; proper handling, use, and disposal of hazardous waste, materials, and pyrotechnics; aircrew flight and chemical defense equipment inspections, fitting, and maintenance procedures; supply procedures; principles of contamination control; related technical information, policies, procedures, techniques, and equipment.
Certification Training: Upon arrival at the first duty station, airmen are enrolled in upgrade training to the 5-skill level (journeyman). This training is a combination of on-the-job task certification, and enrollment in a correspondance course called a Career Development Course (CDC). Once the airman's trainer(s) have certified that they are qualified to perform all tasks related to that assignment, and once they complete the CDC, including the final closed-book written test, they are upgraded to the 5-skill level, and are considered to be "certified" to perform their job with minimal supervision. For this AFSC, 5-level training averages 15 months.
Advanced Training: Upon achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant, airmen are entered into 7-level (craftsman) training. A craftsman can expect to fill various supervisory and management positions such as shift leader, element NCOIC (Noncommissioned Officer in Charge), flight superintendent, and various staff positions. For award of the 9-skill level, individuals must hold the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. A 9-level can expect to fill positions such as flight chief, superintendent, and various staff NCOIC jobs.
Average Promotion Times (Time in Service)
Airman First Class (E-2): 6 months
Senior Airman (E-4): 16 months
Staff Sergeant (E-5): 5.09 years
Technical Sergeant (E-6): 11.34 years
Master Sergeant (E-7): 17.45 years
Senior Master Sergeant (E-8): 20.72 years
Class of 1997
Air Force, 12 Years
Aircrew Flight Equipment Specialists manage, performs, and schedules inspections, maintenance, and adjustments of assigned aircrew flight equipment (AFE), aircrew chemical defense equipment (ACDE), associated supplies, and inventories assets.
Duties performed by these specialists include:
Inspects, maintains, packs and adjusts aircrew flight equipment such as flight helmets, oxygen masks, parachutes, flotation devices, survival kits, helmet mounted devices, aircrew night vision and other ocular systems, anti-G garments, aircrew eye and respiratory protective equipment, chemical biological protective oxygen masks and coveralls, and other types of AFE and aircrew chemical defense systems. Repairs fabric and rubber components, including protective clothing, thermal radiation barriers, flotation equipment, and various parachutes. Evaluates problems and determines feasibility of repair or replacement related to inspecting and repairing fabric, rubber equipment, and parachutes. Evaluates work orders for fabrication of authorized items.
Installs and removes aircraft-installed AFE. Uses various types of test equipment such as altimeters, oxygen testers, leakage testers, radio testers, and other types of testers to conduct reliability testing on AFE and ACDE. Maintains inspection and accountability documentation on AFE issued to aircrews or prepositioned on aircraft.
Job Training
Initial Skills Training (Tech School): AF Technical School graduation results in the award of a 3-skill level (apprentice). Following Basic Military Training, initial skills training is provided in a 3-level (apprentice) resident course taught at the 82d Training Group, 361st Training Squadron, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas (65 academic days).
During technical school, airmen will be trained on the following: AFE inspection and maintenance procedures; parachute construction; temperature and humidity affects on parachutes and other fabrics; characteristics of rubberized items; solvent, heat, and pressure affects on rubber; proper handling, use, and disposal of hazardous waste, materials, and pyrotechnics; aircrew flight and chemical defense equipment inspections, fitting, and maintenance procedures; supply procedures; principles of contamination control; related technical information, policies, procedures, techniques, and equipment.
Certification Training: Upon arrival at the first duty station, airmen are enrolled in upgrade training to the 5-skill level (journeyman). This training is a combination of on-the-job task certification, and enrollment in a correspondance course called a Career Development Course (CDC). Once the airman's trainer(s) have certified that they are qualified to perform all tasks related to that assignment, and once they complete the CDC, including the final closed-book written test, they are upgraded to the 5-skill level, and are considered to be "certified" to perform their job with minimal supervision. For this AFSC, 5-level training averages 15 months.
Advanced Training: Upon achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant, airmen are entered into 7-level (craftsman) training. A craftsman can expect to fill various supervisory and management positions such as shift leader, element NCOIC (Noncommissioned Officer in Charge), flight superintendent, and various staff positions. For award of the 9-skill level, individuals must hold the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. A 9-level can expect to fill positions such as flight chief, superintendent, and various staff NCOIC jobs.
Average Promotion Times (Time in Service)
Airman First Class (E-2): 6 months
Senior Airman (E-4): 16 months
Staff Sergeant (E-5): 5.09 years
Technical Sergeant (E-6): 11.34 years
Master Sergeant (E-7): 17.45 years
Senior Master Sergeant (E-8): 20.72 years
Leonard Funk
Class of 1999
Marine Corps, 8 Years
artillary most of service but also served as security at ABU GHRAIB Prison and as a civil affairs NCO during second tour.
Class of 1999
Marine Corps, 8 Years
artillary most of service but also served as security at ABU GHRAIB Prison and as a civil affairs NCO during second tour.
Leslie Sue Rodgers
Class of 1974
Navy, 11 Years
USN active 8 years, active reserve 3 years. Petty Officer First Class (CTO1)
Class of 1974
Navy, 11 Years
USN active 8 years, active reserve 3 years. Petty Officer First Class (CTO1)
Michael Sine
Class of 1969
Air Force, 17 Years
4 years enlisted Civil Engineering
13 years Commissioned Communications Support Officer
Class of 1969
Air Force, 17 Years
4 years enlisted Civil Engineering
13 years Commissioned Communications Support Officer
Richard Bailey
Class of 1968
Air Force, 4 Years
Served during Vietnam era. Stationed Maxwell AFB and Osan AFB, Korea, Honorable discharge as Sgt. career fields 29150 & 70250
Class of 1968
Air Force, 4 Years
Served during Vietnam era. Stationed Maxwell AFB and Osan AFB, Korea, Honorable discharge as Sgt. career fields 29150 & 70250
Robert Tonry
Class of 1977
Air Force, 4 Years
Security Specialist October 1977 to December 1981
F.E.Warren AFB, Cheyenne Wyoming
Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany
Class of 1977
Air Force, 4 Years
Security Specialist October 1977 to December 1981
F.E.Warren AFB, Cheyenne Wyoming
Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany
Robert Vickers
Class of 1973
Navy, 20+ Years
Retired after 20+ years of service in Guam, Sicily and various locations here in the US.
Class of 1973
Navy, 20+ Years
Retired after 20+ years of service in Guam, Sicily and various locations here in the US.
Ryan Smith
Class of 1980
Navy, 12 Years
Navy 1982-1994
USS Midway Yokusuka Japan
USS Worden Pearl Harbor
Naval Station Great Lakes
Desert Storm / Desert Shield
Class of 1980
Navy, 12 Years
Navy 1982-1994
USS Midway Yokusuka Japan
USS Worden Pearl Harbor
Naval Station Great Lakes
Desert Storm / Desert Shield
Stephanie Clark (Kalna)
Class of 1979
Navy, 3 Years
Left for Boot Camp shortly after graduating. Spent my enlistment in San Diego. To be exact Pt. Loma. I was a Service Supply Handler. I served on several different small craft. We were sent out with several civilian crew members. We acted as patrol craft. We kept nosey civilians from approaching the area where equipment was being tested. We retrieved the missiles that were shot from the ships and boats(subs). They carried everything except the nuclear warheads. Had a fantastic time. Wouldn't change it for the world.
Class of 1979
Navy, 3 Years
Left for Boot Camp shortly after graduating. Spent my enlistment in San Diego. To be exact Pt. Loma. I was a Service Supply Handler. I served on several different small craft. We were sent out with several civilian crew members. We acted as patrol craft. We kept nosey civilians from approaching the area where equipment was being tested. We retrieved the missiles that were shot from the ships and boats(subs). They carried everything except the nuclear warheads. Had a fantastic time. Wouldn't change it for the world.
Stokely Klasovsky
Class of 1990
Navy, 6 Years
Electronic Technician aboard USS Frank Cable.
Class of 1990
Navy, 6 Years
Electronic Technician aboard USS Frank Cable.
Tim Esterly
Class of 1984
Air Force, 20+ Years
Served 10 years Active Duty and 12 years reserves.
Class of 1984
Air Force, 20+ Years
Served 10 years Active Duty and 12 years reserves.
Tim Tenney
Class of 1969
Air Force, 4 Years
4 years 11 months 13 days USAF Vietnam Veteran 71/72 victim of Agent Orange Poisoning
Class of 1969
Air Force, 4 Years
4 years 11 months 13 days USAF Vietnam Veteran 71/72 victim of Agent Orange Poisoning
Tom Warmouth
Class of 1988
Army, 8 Years
A/1st/110th Infantry and 838th Military Police Co. Veteran Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
Class of 1988
Army, 8 Years
A/1st/110th Infantry and 838th Military Police Co. Veteran Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
William R. Foster
Class of 1986
Navy, 13 Years
Radioman (Aircrew) collaterial duty Diver
Class of 1986
Navy, 13 Years
Radioman (Aircrew) collaterial duty Diver
Alumni Stories
Read and submit stories about our classmates from Fitch High School, post achievements and news about our alumni, and post photos of our fellow Falcons.
School News
Do you have any news to share? Keep our classmates informed on news and current events! Please post all reunion information in the reunion area.
Our Fitch High School military alumni are some of the most outstanding people we know and this page recognizes them and everything they have done! Not everyone gets to come home for the holidays and we want our Fitch High School Military to know that they are loved and appreciated. All of us in Austintown are proud of our military alumni and want to thank them for risking their lives to protect our country!