Army Pvt. Eric J. Espinosa

Army Pvt. Eric J. Espinosa has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

He is the nephew of Sharon Pagonelli of Friendly Lane, and grandson of Elaine Licato of Corrlies Ave., both of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Espinosa is a 2007 graduate of Dutchess High School, Poughkeepsie.

Receiving the Olmsted Scholarship for foreign study, LaCerda traveled to Morocco where he received an in-depth look at Arab and Islamic culture.