By Staff
Local Servicemen
The following short profiles on military personnel who have local connections and are on active duty are provided here to remind readers of the local people serving our country in time of war. To profile one of your servicemembers here, simply stop by the offices of The Atmore Advance and fill out a form.
There is no charge for this service:
Michael Earl Steele
A native of Atmore, he is serving as a Petty Officer First Class. He is stationed in Guam, but is now serving on the supply ship Niagara Falls in the Persian Gulf, where he is a helicopter structural and hydraulic system mechanic.
He is the son of Bennie and Eloise Steele, and he is married to Sandra Steele. He has a son, Bradley Aaron Steele and four stepchildren, Justin, Colten, Levi and Tory Holden. He also has two brothers, Ronnie and Roy Steele.
Derrick N. McKenzie
He is a member of the United States Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton in Ocean Side, Calif., and is now on deployment in Okinawa, Japan. He is a heavy machine mechanic for the Marine Corps.
He is an Escambia County High School graduate and the son of Betty McKenzie and Larry Hudson. He is married to Lamecia McKenzie and has three daughters, Joshala, LaDerrica, and Deasia. He is the grandson of Minnie Hudson, Da'sy McKenzie, and the late Richard McKenzie of Atmore.
Gary Forney, Jr.
He is currently serving as a Yeoman on the USS Donald Cook, where his job is to be an expert in knowing and perfecting publications and directives for his command. His is considered the Commanding Officer's Assistant, and he works directly with the Commanding Officer and the Executive Officer.
He is also trained as a medical rescuer during battle station or when the ship is under attack. He is currently training to become a surface warfare specialist.
A 1999 graduate of Escambia County High School, he graduated from Yoeman "A" School at the Naval Technical Training Center in Meridian in July 2001, where he was among the top 10 in his class at No. 6. He has been awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
He is the son of Gary and Lillian Forney, and he has three sisters, Vermetris Lee, Katara Forney and Lachasity Forney, and two brothers, Rasshad and Raamond Forney. He is also the grandson of Jannie Stallworth and the late Mr. and Mrs. Zeaner Forney, Sr. He can be reached by e-mail at ForneyG@Cook.Navy.Mil.
S.J. Brown
Staff Sergeant Brown is an E-6 stationed with C Company 2nd 69 Armored Batallion at Fort Benning, Ga. He is a Gunner/M1-A1.
A resident of Atmore, he is the son of J.S. Brown Sr. and Mae Fannie Brown. He has three sisters, Wilma Simpson, Bonnie Mason and Brunetta Bradford. He also has two brothers, J.S. Brown, Jr., and Gregory Brown.
Gregory R. Turberville
Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Gregory R. Turberville has been decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal.
The medal is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who distinguish themselves by either outstanding achievement or meritorious service to the United States in noncombat situations.
Turberville is an attack pilot (apache) assigned to Headquarters, Aviation Training Brigade at Fort Rucker, Enterprise, Ala.
He is the son of Shirley V. and stepson of Curtis H. Fayaro of Atmore. His wife, Kelly, is the daughter of Justin and Carolyn Garrett of Atmore.
He is a 1979 graduate of ECHS and a 1983 graduate of Troy State University.
Terry Wayne Owens
Owens is the son of Roger and Sandra Owens and he and his wife, Valerie Owens, have a son, Grant.
He is a Sergeant in the 1st Marine Division in San Diego, Calif. He is currently serving on the ship "Bonhomme Richard," which shipped out to Kuwait in January. His main responsibility is in the communications field.
To send cards, letters and other items to him, send them to Sgt. Owens, T. USMC, H&S Co. 3/1 comm., UIC 39717, FPO AP 96613-9717.