Minden man's son receives medal

Army Col. David C. Goetsch, son of David C. Goetsch of Minden received the Legion of Merit Medal, the nation's fifth-highest medal, awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements during a change of command ceremony at Scott Air Force Base, Belleville, Ill.

Goetsch relinquished command of the Army Reserve Element, Joint Transportation Reserve Unit, U.S. Transportation Command.

The unit provides the transportation command with personnel it needs from the reserve components of all the services.

Army Reserve Maj. Gen. James P. Eggleton, commander, U.S. Army Reserve Readiness Command, Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C., presided over the ceremony.

"Serving as the Army Reserve Element Commander in the Joint Transportation Reserve Unit is a unique and exciting opportunity," said Goetsch.

Eggleton also inducted Goetsch into the military order of St. Christopher in recognition of his significant contributions to the U.S. Army Transportation Corps.

Goetsch graduated in 1975 from Upland High School and received a bachelor's degree in 1979 from Claremont McKenna College, Claremont, Calif.

He earned his master's degree in 1996 from Indiana Wesleyan, Marion, Ind.

Bickston graduates explosive ordnance disposal course

Army Pvt. Tyler D. Bickston has graduated from the first phase of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal course at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Ala.

The course is designed to train the soldier to detect, identify and disarm non-nuclear explosive ordnance, and assist with disposal of munitions and explosive devices, fuels and oxidizers; assist in detecting, researching, and identifying chemical and biological agents; locate, gain access, and dispose of buried ordnance, land mines, and other explosive devices.

Bickston is the son of Thomas E. and Lezlee J. Bickston of Minden.

Settelmeyer named

to Optometry Board

Sherese Settelmeyer has been appointed by the governor's office to the Nevada Optometry Board.

This is Settelmeyer's fourth board she is serving on including Sierra Nevada Republican Women, Nevada Federation of Republican Women, and the Partnership of Community Resources.

Settelmeyer is the wife of Assemblyman James Settelmeyer, R-Gardnerville.

Hannah graduates basic combat training

Army Pvt. Cody J. Hannah has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission and received instruction and training exercises in drill and ceremonies, Army history, core values and traditions, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, rifle marksmanship, weapons use, map reading and land navigation, foot marches, armed and unarmed combat, and field maneuvers and tactics. He is the son of Sandy Hannah of Minden.

Hannah is a 2007 graduate of Douglas High School.