Christon promoted to Major

NARROWSBURG, NY — Captain Christopher M. Christon, a 1988 graduate of Narrowsburg Central School, was promoted to Major on March 3, 2003. Major General Kenneth Farmer, the Deputy Army Surgeon General, presided over the ceremony at the Surgeon General’s Office in Falls Church, VA. Over 85 people attended the ceremony, including his mom and dad, Dot and Marty Christon, his wife Rynne, and their children, Michael, Kathleen and Kimberly, his sister Lorrie Richards, his Aunt Louise Wiley, his pastor Eddie Trayers and members of his church, and several soldiers from previous assignments.

Major Christon has served over three years in the Army Reserves as a combat medic and in the Army National Guard as an infantryman, and has served over 10 years of active duty commissioned service. He is currently serving as the executive assistant to the assistant surgeon general for force projection at the Pentagon.

On March 25 Christon was given the opportunity to meet and pray with President George Bush at the Pentagon when he was visiting to give a speech. His photo with the President appeared in numerous newspapers, including The Washington Post and USA Today, and he appeared on CNN and Fox News as well.

Legion launches
'Support Our Troops' Web site

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — The American Legion has unveiled a new section of its Internet website. Visitors to www.legion.org simply click the “Support Our Troops” link to find an array of ways to reach out to U.S. service members and their families, including prayer, volunteer opportunities, blood donations and scholarship contributions.

The American Legion’s Family Support Network is a key program providing crucial aid to spouses and children of military personnel. Through the Family Support Network, local Legion posts adopt military families by helping pay bills and providing childcare and other services.

Also, the American Legion 9/11 Memorial Scholarship Fund is being funded to ensure that the children of active-duty service members killed following 9/11, including Operation Iraqi Freedom, will have an opportunity for higher education.

U.S. Flags, Blue Star Banners and yard signs to display support for our troops can be purchased through the website. Visitors also will find suggestions for how one’s place of worship can support service members and a message board where they can write a personal letter of thanks to men and women on the frontlines. Volunteer opportunities and agencies collecting blood for the military are listed, along with links to other sites supporting our armed forces.

Send us your information

NARROWSBURG, NY — If you or someone you love in in the armed forces, we want to know. Information can be sent to The River Reporter, P.O. Box 150, Narrowsburg, NY 127654.