Army National Guard Pvt. Blake M. Kirklin has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. During the nine weeks of training, he studied the Army mission and received instruction and training exercises in drill and ceremonies, Army history, traditions, military courtesy, physical fitness, first aid, rifle marksmanship, map reading and field tactics.

He is the son of Mike Kirklin and Scarlett Tillman, both of Vicksburg.

Army Reserve Sgt. Travis I. Philips has returned to the U.S. after a deployment to the Iraqi Theater of Operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

A light wheel mechanic with eight years of military service, he is normally assigned to the 894th Quartermaster Company, Jackson.

He is the son of Mary Fuller of Nitta Yuma.

Army National Guard Pfc. Walter A. Harris Jr. has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. During the nine weeks of training, he studied the Army mission and received instruction and training exercises in drill and ceremonies, Army history, traditions, military courtesy, physical fitness, first aid, rifle marksmanship, map reading and field tactics.

A 2005 graduate of Warren Central High School, he is the son of Walter Harris of Vicksburg.

Army Reserve Sgt. Gevon Smith has returned to the U.S. after a deployment to the Iraqi Theater of Operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

A communications specialist with 17 years of military service, he is normally assigned to the 894th Quartermaster Company, Jackson.

He is the son of Mary L. Blue of Port Gibson.

Army Reserve Spec. Samuel W. Brown has been mobilized and activated for deployment overseas to a forward operating base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mission objectives of Operation Iraqi Freedom focus on force protection, peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations.  An information technology specialist with two years of military service, he is normally assigned to the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion, Greensboro, N.C. 

The son of Rita Halloway of Vicksburg, he is a 1996 graduate of Central Holmes Academy.