Capt. Erick M. Foster, a 1996 graduate of North Allegheny Senior High School, was posthumously honored last Thursday by the Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania.

Capt. Foster, of Franklin Park, was 29 years old when he died in Balad, Iraq, on Aug. 29, 2007. Insurgents attacked his unit during a combat operation. The veterans program named Capt. Foster the recipient of the Chairman's Award at this tribute.

Capt. Foster joined the Army after earning a degree in Information Technology from Duquesne University in 2000. He was killed during his second tour of duty in Iraq and was awarded both the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

The Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania is an organization that supports veterans, service members in need and their families. Several veterans, as well as young Pennsylvania heroes from the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, were honored at this event.

The ceremony was held at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland and was free for children and active military.

Veterans from throughout the district are invited to a ceremony to be held in their honor at 8:45 a.m. Nov. 13 in the auditorium of North Hills Junior High School, 55 Rochester Road, Ross.

Former military personnel will be introduced, and there will be performances by the junior high school band and chorus. A reception with refreshments will follow.

Veterans who plan to attend are being asked to contact the junior high by calling 412-318-1098, ext. 4088, or by sending an e-mail to Laurie Ahrenholtz at ahrenholtz@nhsd.net.

Pine-Richland High School, 700 Warrendale Road in Pine, will hold a ceremony in memory of Michael Slebodnik, a 1987 Richland High School graduate who was killed in combat in Afghanistan on Sept. 11, 2008. A plaque in his memory will be placed at the school, and two soldiers from his unit will travel from Kentucky to attend. The program will begin at 8 a.m. Tuesday in front of the school.

Col. Dwight Pearson, a parent in the Pine-Richland District, flew over the American Embassy when Mr. Slebodnik, a pilot and Army chief warrant officer, was stationed overseas and is providing the district with two flags in his memory. Col. Pearson will be there to present them and speak. The district drum line will be playing, and the family of Michael Slebodnik will be on hand.

n Next Thursday, Pine-Richland Middle School will be host to a Salute to Veterans assembly in a morning program. Local veterans from each war or operation will talk about their experiences.

The program is in conjunction with a unit in eighth-grade English that explores the effects of military service on individuals abroad and at home.

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