Latrobe Bulletin from Latrobe, Pennsylvania • 9

Reservists Recalled At Memorial Introlie bulletin Local Roundup MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1996 99th U.S. Army Reserve Command. Thirteen of them were from the 14th Quartermaster in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, including specialists Christine Mayes and Beverly Clark, the first female American soldiers reported killed in the war with Iraq. Both were from Indiana County. Smoker, of Hempfield Township, had just signed up for another five years in the reserves.

The unit's younger soldiers, recognizing her seniority and experience, call Staff Sgt. Kenneth Bier of Blairsville, the other original member left in the detachment, said it's been hard at kovich of Monongahela, recently marked a one-year wedding anniversary with a new husband. She stood Sunday with her children, who were 1 and 2 years old when Boliver died. During the service, she thought about the day her son, Matthew, was bom; the day she met Boliver, and the day she found out he was dead. "We remember him.

We love him, but we have gone on with our lives and I mink that John would be happy with that," she said. Neil Gouker of Glassport, who was wounded in the bombing, addressed the service. "It's not been very good the past five years. I try to to come here Feb. 25 and pay respect to our In the past several weeks, Gouker has decorated the graves of his fellow soldiers.

"The real heroes of the war wouldn't be me or anybody here. It would be the 13 members of the 14th who didn't make it through," he said. Soldiers from several units deployed in 1991 attended Sunday's service. Some talked openly about a set of symptoms known as Gulf War Syndrome. Many Gulf War veterans complain of a wide range of debilitating symptoms including fatigue, joint pain, headache, rashes and memory loss.

Others asked about any health problems fell silent. Some veterans reject other soldiers' claims of recurring illnesses GREENSBURG, Pa. (AP) A brisk wind whipped at military and U.S. flags as about 200 people gathered to remember 13 Army reservists who died five years ago when an Iraqi missile blew up their barracks. Each year since, the 14th Quartermaster Detachment has honored the 13 with a memorial service and a 21-gun salute.

On Sunday, at the fifth such assembly, there were fewer tears and more talk about the lives of the survivors. "It's been downhill," said Sgt. Candy Smoker, one of only two active members remaining from the original 14th Quarterm aster Detachment "At first, I quit my job. I couldn't concentrate in school. Now I'm working two full-time jobs.

This is the fifth year. It has to get better, right?" As always, the guns were fired at 12:28 p.m.. the local time when the missile hit Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, killing 28 men and women of the live rnyjite. said uouKer, is encased to be mar- "But, you always have whflf 1 hio Girl's Death Considered Murder Gasoline Stolen A Latrobe business was the victim of theft at 150 a.m. Sunday at 2840 Ligonier St According to Latrobe Borough Police, someone pumped $16.01 worth of gasoline at Sheetz and left without paying for it Stereo Equipment Taken Stereo equipment was taken between 9 p.m.

Saturday and 12:20 a.m. Sunday from the American Legion parking lot in Latrobe. Latrobe Borough Police report that a vehicle owned by Joseph M. Hinsinger, Blairsville, was broken into while parked. The vehicle sustained a broken window, at a loss of about $200.

A portable CD player, valued at $225, was taken. Parked Vehicle Damaged A parked vehicle was damaged in an accident at 5: 10 p.m. Saturday on the 1300 block of Ligonier Street. Latrobe Borough Police report that they arc investigating a hit and run accident in which a parked 1991 Chevrolet Geo Storm owned by Bridget Short, Jeannette, was struck by a 1991 Chevrolet Berretta driven by Carisa E. Cramer, Ligonier.

Both vehicles sustained light damages. There were no injuries. Criminal Mischief Reported An incident of criminal mischief occurred between 5 pjn. Friday and 3 pjn. Saturday at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 331 Main Latrobe.

According to Latrobe Borough Police, someone broke a cement leg of a wooden bench outside the church, causing $200 in damage. Rear Window Smashed A vehicle was damaged between 1 and 10 ajn. Saturday at 1608 Ligonier St, Latrobe. Someone smashed the rear window of a van belonging to Frank Miller while the vehicle was parked behind the Miller residence. LAH Treats Four Four people were treated over the weekend at Latrobe Area Hospital for injuries related to motor vehicle accidents.

The hospital reports that Kathleen Batsa, Youngs-town, was treated Saturday for cervical strain following a Youngstown accident Sunday, Willard Munshauer, Deny, was admitted in fair condition with syncope. David Evans, Laughlintown, was treated for a fractured humerus from a Waterford-Laughlintown Road accident Brenda Mechling, Latrobe, was treated for multiple contusions sustained in a Route 981 accident Quartermaster Victims Listed By The Associated Press Thirteen members of the Army Reserve's 14th Quartermaster Detachment were killed in the Iraqi missile at tack on Feb. 25, 1991; Spec. Steven Atherton, 27, of Numine. Spec.

John A. Boliver, 27, of Monongahela. Spec. Joseph Bongiomi in, 20, of Hickory. Sgt John Boxler, 44, of Johnstown.

Spec. Beverly S. Clark, 23, of Armagh. Sgt Alan B. Craver, 26, of Pcnn Hills.

Spec. Frank S. Keough, 22, of North Huntington. Spec. Anthony Madison, 27, of Monessen." Spec.

Christine L. Mayes, 23, of Rochester Mills. Spec. Stephen J. Siko, 24, of Lloydsville.

Spec. Thomas G. Stone, 20, of Falconer, N.Y. Spec. Frank J.

Walls, 20, of Hawthorne. Spec. Richard Wolvcrton, 24, of Deny Township. Mother Loses Struggle To Help Son, Targets Consent Law News Reports: IRA Targeting Queen times to stay active. He works for the Army Reserv as a civilian.

Sometimes, younger resel vists ask him questions. "They're all curious. They read about it. They see it," Bier said as he pointed toward the monument The widow of Spec. John Boliver, Paula Boliver Wu- can't believe the agony I went through watching my child self-destruct, and there was nothing I could do." The law was enacted in 1972.

It was an era when some states around the nation were lowering the drinking age to 18, and bills that would legalize marijuana were introduced in Pennsylvania's Legislature. Legislative journals, which recorded the debate over the law's passage, gave no indication why parents were excluded from helping their adolescents get treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Erick started to drink and use drugs at age 16. Debbie went through the telephone book, calling agencies, pleading for help. But the first question she was asked was: "How old is your child?" Debbie begged her son to Suspect Named In Killings PITTSBURGH (AP)-r Police believe a suspect in the killings of three men may have fled to New York.

Elijah "Bobby" Williams, 40, of Pittsburgh was named Friday in an arrest warrant in the slayings of Timothy Moore, Joel Moore and Robert James. Their bodies were found Feb. 18 in a truck in Wilkinsburg, just outside Pittsburgh. The Moores had been convicted of drug crimes in the past No drugs were found in the truck, however. "We are not ruling drugs out as a possible motive in this case," said Sgt.

David Schwab, an Allegheny County homicide investigator. A second suspect may be identified later, he said. Williams was still a fugitive Saturday afternoon. He was known to spend time in New York, Wilkinsburg, Jeannette, Greensburg and Pittsburgh. IMPERIAL, Pa.

(AP) Family members of a 13-year-old girl whose body was found near Pittsburgh International Airport pleaded with the public to come forward with information that might reveal how she died. The death of Barbara Barnes of Steubenville, Ohio, is being investigated as a murder. "Please, if anybody knows anything, please call so we can get on with our lives, so we can know that justice has been done," said her uncle Louis Boyce of Steubenville, Ohio. "There's some clue out there that just hasn't been found yet, and when it's found, wham! it will get who did this. But it's still not going to bring that 13-year-old child back." said her aunt enter Counseling.

He refused. She offered to get counseling herself. "I thought maybe if I set the example he would go," she said. Erick never went Debbie asked Erick's school counselors to talk to her son. They did, but when she would call them to find out what he told them, the counselors would not tell her.

"They said, 'Debbie, your son gave me permission to tell you some things, but not she recalled. Finally, Erick told her one day, "Mom, this isn't your fault Don't beat yourself up about this thing. This is the choice I made." She refused to accept that, and continued trying to help her son until he died. Debbie has struggled to find meaning in Erick's death. She has found some in her fight to change the law.

A bill that would allow parents to get help for their adolescents up to age 18 when the state no longer considers pa xnts legally responsible for them passed the House earlier this year. The bill would protect adolescents rights, requiring a Common Pleas Court to appoint a drug and alcohol counselor to perform an evaluation before parents can admit their adolescent for treatment But a provision in the bill would require parental notification if an adolescent receives treatment. That violates federal confidentiality laws, said Larry Frankel of the American Civil Liberties Union. Otherwise, the bill is fine, Frankel said. The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee is now reviewing the bill, and Debbie has volunteered to testify at any hearing and lobby any legislator to get the bill passed and enacted.

4 'This is my legacy to my son," Debbie said, fighting back tears. "I don't want to see another mother, another father or another child suffer. It just boggles my mind that this law exists." Donna Bames of Dormont, a suburb ofPittsburgh. arbara was 1 astseen on Dec. 7 walking to Harding Middle School.

Her body was discovered Thursday in Findlay Township, about 30 miles east of her home. Allegheny County Coroner Cyril H. Wecht performed the autopsy. "Based upon all circumstances and investigation, the manner has been ruled a homicide," a statement from his office said. Allegheny County police Sgt.

Nicholas Bruichof the homicide unit said Barbara was probably suffocated or strangled. Findlay Township police Chief Paul Wilks said the body was buried in a 3-foot narrow stream bed. "It was a methodical encasement of the body in mud," Wilks said. "The mud was pulled off the sides of the embankment to bury her." Water flowing through the stream washed away some of the mud, exposing the lower part of the body, he said. Tragedy struck the Barnes family previously, on Jan.

3, 1989, when Barbara's father, Gary, was fatally shot. His body was found dumped over a hillside in Brooke County, W.Va., across the Ohio River from his home. An Ohio man was convicted of his murder. Authorities believe there is no connection to Barbara's death. Syndrome Outbreak Puzzles Doctors RIDGEWOOD.NJ.(AP) Health officials and doctors are puzzled by a recent outbreak of Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare neurological disorder.

Eight people in the area around this town about 12 miles west of New York City have been diagnosed since December with the disease two more cases than could ordinarily be expected in a year. The patients range in age from 6 to 59, and doctors have not found any common infection or medical or environmental circumstances that set off their illnesses. The New York Times reported today. "The numbers are more than we expect to see," said Dr. Hugo Lijtmaer, former director of the department of neurosciences at Valley Hospital, who has helped treat all eight patients.

"Maybe it's coincidental or a chance situation or a quirk." Ordinarily, about 1 or 2 people per 100,000 are stricken with the disease, which suddenly attacks the nerves that control movement. Most often, the neurological damage can be repaired with intravenous injection of gamma globulin and intense physical therapy. The disease sometimes follows a gastrointestinal or respiratory illness, but is not contagious or infectious. HALIFAX, Pa. (AP) Handsome, bright and athletic, 1 8-year-old Erick Alexander Whitesel made his mother proud.

But alcohol and drugs tarnished his talents. His suicide made them memories. On Jan. 1 1 Erick stood in the family room and shot himself. The Dauphin County coroner's report cited sufficient amounts of alcohol in the blood to impair his judgement and perception.

His mother, Debbie, struggled to help Erick, but a more than 20-year-old state law blocked her. It prohibits parents from putting their teen-ager into drug and alcohol programs without the adolescent's consent "That's what everybody told me," Debbie said one morning, her voice quivering. "We can be held accountable for their actions, but we can't get them help." School counselors, social workers, drug and alcohol counselors, even the police every one she sought help from told her the same thing: "They have to be willing to get help." The Whitesel family's story isn't uncommon, said Deborah Beck, president of the Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization of Pennsylvania, a statewide advocacy group. ''These cases are just so desperate," Beck said. "Most people with an addiction will not go for help.

Now you're talking adolescents, who already are rebellious. Denial is normal." In the living room of her rural home, Debbie has enshrined photographs of her son on the coffee table. She has placed angel hair and a statue of angels before the photographs. As she sat on the sofa. Debbie shook with anger at the countless times she was told adolescents 14 or oldennust consent to drug-anLatcohol "Do you think a child 14 or older knows what's best for them?" she said.

"You em Ireland. After the initial bombing, Britain and Ireland barred ministers of the two governments from meeting with the Sinn Fein party, but ruled that meetings between lower-level officials and Sinn Fein could continue. Sinn Fein deputy leader Martin McGuinness said Sinn Fein asked for today's meeting, meant to "examine how the peace process can be rebuilt." The British Army, meanwhile, ordered another 400 soldiers back to Northern Ireland. Britain sent 500 troops back last week, and Sunday's order will bring the total British force there to 17,400. In Ireland today, police were questioning IRA member Pearse McCauley, currently fighting extradition to Britain, where he is wanted on charges of terrorism and escaping from jail.

Police arrested McCauley and four other men Sunday under the republic's antiterrorism laws, which allow police to hold people for up to 48 hours even if they are not charged in a crime. In London, the beefed-up military guard at Buckingham Palace was backed up by extra police patrolling the perimeters, holstered handguns prominently displayed. The palace is Queen Elizabeth II 's residence in London, while Windsor Castle is her weekend home. Besides maps and plans for the palaces, The Sun said, police found a hit list and coded attack warnings hid- den under a floorboard at the slain IRA member's apartment LONDON (AP) Sol-. diers with machine guns have replaced ceremonial red-uniformed sentries on guard outside Britain's royal residences as newspapers reported today that the IRA is targeting the queen and her family.

While lower-level government officials prepared to meet with the Irish Republican Army-allied Sinn Fein party for the first time since the IRA violently ended its cease-fire Feb. 9, photographs in London newspapers today showed a security-minded weekend changing of the guard. Gone are the bayonet-armed sentries in dress uniforms who stand at attention in sentry boxes, much photographed by tourists. In their place, at London's Buckingham Palace and St James' Palace and at Windsor Castle west of the city, stand soldiers in camouflage fatigues, machine guns at the ready. Although Scotland Yard would not comment on the reason for the stepped-up security measures, The Sun newspaper said today that they were prompted by the discovery of maps and security plans for Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle at the London apartment of an IRA bomber.

Edward O'Brien died Feb. 18 when the bomb he was carrying exploded prematurely on Feb. 18. The bungled bombing followed the Feb. 9 detonation of a truck bomb in London's business district Two people were killed in that explosion, which broke the IRA's 17-month cease-fire amid stalled peace talks for North-.