From left, standing: Sfc. Manuel Griego, Staff Sgt. Tim Clark, Sgt. Zachery Dwyer, Staff Sgt. Michael Ray (Tucumcari Rattlers); kneeling from left, Spc. Kevin Calhoun, Sgt. Chet Gurule (Logan Longhorns). Not pictured, Staff Sgt. Juan Montoya and Sfc. Tino Aguliera also from Tucumcari who deployed with 515th CSSB in Camp Bucca, Iraq.

Cody McKiddie, left, and Mark Becker

Rodney Chappell May 5 Meet Your Neighbor

Meet your neighbor

Name: Rodney Chappell

Profession: Gas station manager

Age: 36

Hometown: Cincinnati

Family: Daughter, Ksundra,17; son, Dimitri,15

Your idea of a perfect day: Hanging with the boys, watching sports.

Who would you invite to your fantasy dinner party? Ken Griffey Jr. He is the best baseball player ever and I would like for him to show the sweet swing he’s got.

What do you think about Quay County? I’ve been here 18 years. I must love it.

Favorite TV shows: “The Wire” and “The Sopranos.”

Who’s your favorite entertainer? Cousin Dave

Tell us about a happy time: For Christmas six years ago, I went back home to surprise my mom. She was so excited she almost broke my ribs hugging me. That was cool.

If money were no object, how would you make the world a better place? I’d give the homeless their own housing until they could get on their feet.

What would you like to do? Hit a home run at a Major League park.

What is your greatest fear? Water

What is your greatest hope? To see everyone in my life happy.

What is your favorite taste? Budweiser

What is your favorite smell? Steaks

Tell us about a time you were afraid? Every time I hear my mom is sick.

What’s your favorite part of your job? Making sure everything is running smooth.

Soldiers to return home

Local soldiers with the 720th Convoy Security Co. show off their alumni colors before returning home this month from Iraq. The soldiers were activated for duty in March 2009. They completed more than 700 missions covering 2 million miles, escorting more than 35,000 Haliburton fuel transport trucks and Third Country National vehicles across Iraq.

— Submitted by Manuel Griego

Engagement

Mark Edward Becker and Cody Bill Shafer McKiddie of Denver are pleased to announce their engagement and upcoming wedding.

Mark, 29, is a 2000 graduate of Cozad High School in Cozad, Neb., and is employed by Lockheed Martin as a paralegal. His parents are Janet Wood of Hershey, Neb., and Bruce Becker of Loveland, Colo.

Cody, 31, is a 1997 graduate of San Jon High School in San Jon and received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas. He is also an Iraq War veteran. Cody is also currently pursuing his master’s degree in accounting at Metropolitan State College of Denver. His parents are Byron and Roxy Shafer of Dalhart, Texas. His grandparents are the late Joe and Ina Shafer of San Jon.

The wedding is scheduled July 31 in Iowa.

— Submitted by Mark Becker