Staff Reports
Terry Marbach, a retired business owner from Columbus, participated in the U.S. Army War College 61st annual National Security Seminar from June 1 through 4 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Marbach was one of more than 150 business, government, academic and community leaders selected from across the country who took part in the weeklong academic seminar alongside the students of the Army War College.
Marbach represented fellow American citizens in discussions with the next generation of senior leaders of the U.S. Armed Forces, which gave the senior military students a deeper understanding of the society they serve.
The National Security Seminar was the capstone event of the Army War College’s 10-month curriculum, just before the Class of 2015 graduated with the master’s degree in strategic studies. The Army War College educates and develops leaders for service at the strategic level while advancing knowledge in the global application of land power.
Marbach became a member of USAWC Seminar 3, comprising Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force officers at the rank of colonel or lieutenant colonel, a senior federal civilian, and three international officers, representing Croatia, Djibouti and Pakistan. He was invited to share perspectives, background and experiences in seminar dialogue that enriched the students’ understanding of fellow Americans in the society they serve.
Couple’s grandson graduates
Columbus residents Don and Della McGuire traveled to Des Moines, Iowa, for the graduation and commissioning of their grandson, Connor McGuire, at a ceremony May 16 at Drake University.
Connor McGuire graduated magna cum laude with departmental honors in history and minors in economics and military science. Connor and his fiancée, Melissa Zadow, will be married June 27; and he will leave for basic pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Texas, in January. After basic pilot training and advanced training, he would like to make a career flying rescue missions as a helicopter pilot.
While attending Drake, Connor McGuire was a cadet and attended Air Force ROTC classes and leadership meetings at Iowa State University in Ames. His excellence, leadership and commitment were acknowledged with the Roger Carr Award for most promising pilot and the Commander’s Award as the top cadet. He also was awarded the Iowa Governor’s Cup, which honors the top cadet for leadership, academics and military achievement.
Connor McGuire is the son of Don McGuire Jr., who grew up in Columbus and graduated from Columbus North High School.
Gerth completes training
Air Force Airman Rayna K. Gerth graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in San Antonio.
She is is a 2013 graduate of Seymour High School. She is the daughter of Angela R. Thomas and Michael D. McCarter, of Seymour; sister of Renata R. Gerth and Devin C. Robertson, of Columbus; and granddaughter of Cheryl K. Black, of Columbus.
Gerth completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
