Military briefs: Vietnam vet receives unit citation

A Vietnam War veteran from Virginia Beach who served in the Navy's secret "Ghost Squadron" was honored along with other members of the squadron with the Presidential Unit Citation on Wednesday at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Retired Senior Chief Petty Officer Roger Ringgenberg, then a petty officer second class, was part of the squadron's crew 4.

The citation is given to units that display extraordinary heroism.

The Ghost Squadron, known as Observation Squadron 67, was formed in 1967 and given a highly classified mission: plant sensors along the Ho Chi Minh Trail and search for truck and troop movements. Twenty members were killed.

The squadron's mission was classified until 1998.

Defense Department employers lauded for support

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Defense Department program that aims to build cooperation between Reserve members and civilian employers, recently honored Farm Fresh supermarkets and Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA.

Farm Fresh was recognized for signing a statement of support for employees serving in the National Guard and Reserves.

Massimo Zanetti and its vice president of trade marketing, Brian Kubicki, received the Patriot Award. They were nominated by Petty Officer 2nd Class John Dilts, a Naval Reservist employed by the company.

ROTC

VMI wins grant for culture study

Virginia Military Institute has won a grant from the Reserve Officer Training Corps Language and Culture Project.

The project allows cadets and midshipmen to study the languages and cultures of regions critical to U.S. national security, according to a news release. VMI plans to launch centers to help students become proficient in Arabic and to provide summer scholarship support.

Events

Salute to Armed Forces Entertainment and discounts 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, The Gallery at Military Circle, 880 N. Military Hwy., Norfolk. Free. (757) 461-1940.

Challenges facing the military Speech by Marine Col. Adrienne K. Fraser Darling to the Central Business District Association.

11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Holiday Inn Executive Center, 5655 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach.

$25 or $30 for nonmembers. (757) 490-7810.

Military briefs are published on Fridays. Send submissions to military@pilotonline.com.