Army Reserve Sgt. Scott M. Magro is returning to the U.S. after a deployment to Iraq serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn, or Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations.
The soldiers return to Joint Base Dix-McGuire-Lakehurst, N.J., for debriefing, evaluations and out-processing procedures before returning to their regularly assigned Army Reserve or National Guard units.
Operation New Dawn transitions and signifies a formal end to U.S. military combat operations in Iraq. The transition shifts the U.S. emphasis from predominantly military to predominately civilian as the U.S. officials assist Iraqis in accordance with the Strategic Framework Agreement. The three primary missions of U.S. Forces include advising, assisting, and training the Iraqi Security Forces; conducting partnered counterterrorism operations; and providing support to provincial reconstruction teams and civilian partners as they help build Iraq's civil capacity.
Operation Enduring Freedom is the official name given to anti-terrorism military operations involving U.S. troops and allied coalition partners. Active duty and reserve component members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces have been deployed to support the war against global terrorism outside the borders of the United States. U.S. troops serve in South, Southwest and Central Asia, the Arabian peninsula, the Horn of Africa, islands in the Pacific, and Europe.
Magro served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The sergeant, a military police member with nine years of military service, is regularly assigned to the 372nd Military Police Company, based out of Cumberland, Md.
He is the son of Barbara A. Magro of Depue Ave., Philadelphia, Pa.
His wife, Christine, is the daughter of Michael J. and Betty M. Linko of Briarwood Lane, Harleysville, Pa.
In 1991, Magro graduated from North Penn High School, Lansdale.

Army Reserve Spec. Christopher W. Noll is returning to the U.S. after a deployment to Iraq serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn, or Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations.
The soldiers return to Joint Base Dix-McGuire-Lakehurst, N.J., for debriefing, evaluations and out-processing procedures before returning to their regularly assigned Army Reserve or National Guard units.
Operation New Dawn transitions and signifies a formal end to U.S. military combat operations in Iraq. The transition shifts the U.S. emphasis from predominantly military to predominately civilian as the U.S. officials assist Iraqis in accordance with the Strategic Framework Agreement. The three primary missions of U.S. Forces include advising, assisting, and training the Iraqi Security Forces; conducting partnered counterterrorism operations; and providing support to provincial reconstruction teams and civilian partners as they help build Iraq's civil capacity.
Operation Enduring Freedom is the official name given to anti-terrorism military operations involving U.S. troops and allied coalition partners. Active duty and reserve component members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces have been deployed to support the war against global terrorism outside the borders of the United States. U.S. troops serve in South, Southwest and Central Asia, the Arabian peninsula, the Horn of Africa, islands in the Pacific, and Europe.
Noll served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The specialist, a military police member with four years of military service, is regularly assigned to the 372nd Military Police Company, based out of Cumberland, Md.
The specialist graduated in 2004 from Wissahickon Senior High School, Ambler, Lower Gwynedd.

Wilmington, NC – HeartsApart.org, an organization created to keep families connected while military men and women are serving abroad, has officially reached the Philadelphia area.
Area photographer Fred Troilo of Fred Troilo Photography located in Springfield will be providing one of the first free of charge photo session for local military families on Saturday, May 14.
HeartsApart.org provides soon-to-be-deployed servicemen and women with pictures of their spouse and children by matching families with professional photographers across the country. The photographs are printed on waterproof, bi-folded vinyl cards which fit securely in soldier's uniform pockets. Families should visit http://www.heartsapart.org/ for information on how to participate.
"When I first heard about HeartsApart.org, I thought, 'What an incredible idea.' I knew it would be an honor for me to create memories for soldiers who have sacrificed so much. For me, it’s a very small way to say thank you," said Troilo.
Troilo has been in the business of capturing memories on film for nearly 30 years. A graduate of the Art Institute of Philadelphia, he spent 18 seasons as a team photographer for the Philadelphia Eagles and also covered the Phillies and Flyers, according to a press release from
HeartsApart.org. He recently worked on an assignment for the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, meeting and photographing the Apollo 11 crew, according to
HeartsApart.org.
Founded in North Carolina, HeartsApart.org now includes photographers across the country. "Our goal is simple. As long as servicemen and women are in harms way and separated from their families, we will be taking pictures," said Brett Martin, Executive Director.
"There is no end to the project - just a commitment to continue to serve our Armed Forces while they serve us."
The non-profit has been operating since the summer of 2010. Martin said, "This project is too big for anyone to take on alone. Without the help of sponsors, volunteers and donations, this would be impossible. We all owe it to our troops to get involved."
HeartsApart.org asks that photographers, makeup artists, hairstylists, wardrobe stylists and most importantly local financial donors and sponsors join the cause. Donations can be made at http://www.heartsapart.org/.
Most importantly, families of soon to be deployed Armed Forces are invited to visit the website and schedule their family portrait.

Army Reserve Capt. Pamela A. Park is returning to the U.S. after a deployment to Iraq serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn, or Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations.
The soldiers return to Joint Base Dix-McGuire-Lakehurst, N.J., for debriefing, evaluations and out-processing procedures before returning to their regularly assigned Army Reserve or National Guard units.
Operation New Dawn transitions and signifies a formal end to U.S. military combat operations in Iraq. The transition shifts the U.S. emphasis from predominantly military to predominately civilian as the U.S. officials assist Iraqis in accordance with the Strategic Framework Agreement. The three primary missions of U.S. Forces include advising, assisting, and training the Iraqi Security Forces; conducting partnered counterterrorism operations; and providing support to provincial reconstruction teams and civilian partners as they help build Iraq's civil capacity.
Operation Enduring Freedom is the official name given to anti-terrorism military operations involving U.S. troops and allied coalition partners. Active duty and reserve component members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces have been deployed to support the war against global terrorism outside the borders of the United States. U.S. troops serve in South, Southwest and Central Asia, the Arabian peninsula, the Horn of Africa, islands in the Pacific, and Europe.
The specialist served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Southwest Asia.
Park, a physician assistant with 27 years of military service, is assigned to the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion, San Diego, Calif.
He is the son of Barbara Weideman of Clover Lane, Plymouth Meeting, Pa., and William Park of Montgomery Ave., Souderton, Pa.

Army National Guard Pvt. Kaleb F. Garis has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
He is the son of Karen Renner of Holiday Ave., Hatfield, and brother of Melissa Mokes of Cathill Road, Sellersville.
Garis graduated in 2008 from Pennridge High School.

Army National Guard Pvt. Kaleb F. Garis has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
He is the son of Karen Renner of Holiday Ave., Hatfield, Pa., and brother of Melissa Mokes of Cathill Road, Sellersville.
Garis graduated in 2008 from Pennridge High School.

Coast Guard Seaman Lee A. Francis, son of Dorothy M. Francis of North Wales, recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N. J.
During the eight-week training program, Francis completed a vigorous training curriculum consisting of academics and practical instruction on water safety and survival, military customs and courtesies, seamanship skills, physical fitness, health and wellness, first aid, fire fighting and marksmanship. Men and women train together from the first day in the Coast Guard just as they will work together aboard ships and shore units throughout the world. To reinforce the team concept, all recruits are trained in preventing sexual harassment, drug and alcohol awareness, civil rights training, and the basics of the work-life balance.
Francis and other recruits also received instruction on the Coast Guard's Core Values -- Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty -- and how to apply them in their military performance and personal conduct. Francis will join 36, 000 other men and women who comprise the Coast Guard's workforce.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Tyler C. Dugan, brother of Shane Dugan of Lansdale, recently completed Naval Nuclear Power Training Pipeline.
During the course with Nuclear Power Training Unit, Ballston Spa, N. Y, Dugan received instruction about nuclear theory, chemistry, physics, reactor operations, safety and security. Upon completion of the course, Dugan qualified as a Naval nuclear operator.
Dugan is a 2007 graduate of Pilgrim High School of Warwick, R. I. and joined the Navy in February 2009.