Local Resident Lauded In Military School Honors

By Larissa Lytwyn

Edmund G. Vayan, Jr, son of Priscilla Vayan of Newtown and Edmund Vayan, Sr, of Monroe, graduated from the US Coast Guard Training Center at Cape May, N.J., recently with his Certificate of Basic Military Training. The graduate’s brother, Petty Officer Robert Sebastiao, presented the certificate. In addition to his Basic Military Training Certificate, Captain D.J. Wisniewski, US Commanding Officer, presented him with the following awards: Squad Leader of Company INDIA-165, Highest Academic Average in Recruit Training Company INDIA-165, Honor Graduate, and Navy League of the United States Outstanding Recruit Award.

 Qualified as an Expert by the US Coast Guard Standards, Seaman Apprentice Vayan also received the Expert Medal of the Use of a Firearm and a “Gold Coin,” an honor no other recruit has ever received in Basic Training. Edmund was presented this honor by Command Master Chief Giles, the Commander of the Atlantic area and the Maritime Defense Zone. It is a highly respected achievement among Coast Guardsmen. The award demonstrates the core values of the Coast Guard: Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty.

Seaman Apprentice Vayan is a 2002 Newtown High School graduate.