Ravenna H.S. grad Nicholas Blankshine ND2 U.S.N. was captured on AFN television in Sigonella Italy recently during a WWI memorial ceromony. During the interview Nick shared about relations between the military and citizens in Sigonella where he is stationed.

This is just another example of the dedication and professionalism we have seen in Nick since joining the U.S. Navy during his last year of H.S.

Nick was an active member of the soccer team while in H.S. and taking delayed entry courses at the same time, preparing for the day when he would begin his Naval carear.

After graduating from Great lakes, Nick spent time in Pannama City Fla. while training to be a Navy diver. In the short time since he graduated from dive school, Nick has been to Uganda where his team worked on a recovery mission for a downed C-130 transport, and recently worked evaluating the condition of sunken Soviet cold war era submarines for a man made reef project.

The appearance on AFN TV was just another afirmation of the dedication and commitment he has shown over the years as he attended school and later as he pursues his carrear in the navy.

We all miss him very much, espically his mother and father Beth and Dennis Blankshine. We know of the dedication he has to keeping our country free and safe. We allways knew he was bound for military service, but after the attacks of 9-11 Nick became very focused on how he could play a part in the defense and safety of our country.