MILITARY NOTES

Military notes: Airman Brandon Murphy

Air Force Airman Brandon L. Murphy graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Murphy is the son of Julie McIntyre of Farmington. He is a 2006 graduate of Allegany High School, Cumberland, Md.

December 04, 2011

Military notes: Tyler D Karg

Army Reserve Pvt. Tyler D. Karg has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman. Karg graduated from the split option enlistment program that allows high school students to attend basic training between their junior and senior years. They will be assigned to their reserve or national guard units during their senior year and attend their advanced individual training upon graduation from high school. Karg is the son of Dave Karg and stepson of Marcia Karg of Farmington. He is a student at Lakeville South High School.

October 23, 2011

Military notes: Joshua C Beyer

Army Reserve Pfc. Joshua C. Beyer is returning to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., after being deployed to Afghanistan serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Enduring Freedom is the official name given to anti-terrorism military operations involving U.S. troops and allied coalition partners. Reserve component members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces have been mobilized, activated and deployed along with active duty members to support the war against global terrorism. Mission objectives encompass combating the international terrorist network or regime forces outside the borders of the United States. U.S. troops serve in South and Southwest Asia, Central Asia, the Arabian peninsula, the Horn of Africa, islands in the Pacific, and Europe. Beyer is a resident of Farmington. He is a 2006 graduate of Shakopee High School. He is a combat engineer with the 309th Engineer Company, Brainerd.

October 23, 2011

Military notes: Pfc. Thomas Gindorff, Pvt. Austen Schroeder

Area natives, Pfc. Thomas P. Gindorff, 19, and Pvt. Austen J. Schroeder, 19, earned the title “U.S. Marine” upon graduating from Marine Corps recruit training in June. Gindorff and Austen enter into a proud, lifelong brotherhood composed of the select few men and women who have earned their place in the Corps’ ranks. Putting honor, courage and commitment to the test, Gindorff and Austen faced the physically and mentally rigorous challenges packed into the 13 weeks of Marine Corps boot camp. The training was designed to enhance raw talent and to create the morale and discipline required of all Marines. During recruit training, Austen and Gindorff joined others from across the country to undertake the quest to be among the world’s military elite. They learned time-honored military customs and courtesies and mastered close-order drill. The demanding physical fitness regimen placed Austen and Gindorff in the best shape of their lives. The training honed vital military skills such as marksmanship, first-aid, martial arts and leadership. The new Marines have reported to their first duty station to gain further knowledge and experience serving with Marine Corps units. Austen and Gindorff are both 2010 graduates of Farmington High School in Farmington. They were enlisted by Sgt. Joshua A. Draveling from the Marine Corps recruiting station in Burnsville.

July 24, 2011

After losing his legs in Afghanistan, life is different for Farmington grad Kyle Malin

Fate does funny things to people. It brings them together, it gives challenges, it provides successes. Fate can tear some apart, but it can make others so much stronger than they ever knew possible, too.

By Michelle Leonard , June 30, 2011

Military notes: Airman MItchell Kuefler

Air Force Airman Mitchell A. Kuefler graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. He is the son of Chris and Teresa Kuefler of Farmington and a 2004 graduate of Farmington High School.

June 19, 2011

Military notes: Pvt Kurtis J Atkinson

Area native Pvt. Kurtis J. Atkinson, 19, earned the title U.S. Marine upon graduating from Marine Corps recruit training in San Diego on April 22, 2011.

May 22, 2011

Military notes: Pfc Christopher M Bell

Army Pfc. Christopher M. Bell has graduated from the Basic Field Artillery Cannon Crewmember Advanced Individual Training course at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. The course is designed to train servicemembers to maintain, prepare and load ammunition for firing; operate and perform operator maintenance on prime movers, self-propelled Howitzers, and ammunition vehicles; store, maintain, and distribute ammunition to using units as a member of battery or battalion ammunition section; perform crew maintenance and participate in organizational maintenance of weapons and related equipment; and establish and maintain radio and wire communications. Bell is the son of Michael A. Bell of Farmington.

May 15, 2011

Military notes: Pfc. Matthew J Nickisch

Army Pfc. Matthew J. Nickisch has graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.

April 24, 2011

Military notes: Spec. Curtis A Draper

Army Spec. Curtis A. Draper has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman. He is the brother of Ernest Draper of Farmington. Draper received a bachelor's degree in 2003 from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie.

December 19, 2010

Airman Brian C. Lane

Air Force Airman Brian C. Lane graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. He is the son of Robert Lane of Farmington and a 2010 graduate of Farmington High School

November 08, 2010

Plans are taking shape for Veterans Day events

Sometimes, saying “thank you” seems like it’s hardly enough. That is especially true when it comes to thanking the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Those who have put their personal lives on hold to go and defend a country. Those who fight for freedom, who put themselves in harm’s way to fight terrorists half a world away so Americans can enjoy safety. But then they come home, and they continue to give of themselves.

By Michelle Leonard , November 06, 2010

Military notes: Pvt. Patrick M Haley

Army National Guard Pvt. Patrick M. Haley has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman. He is the son of Michael and Patricia Haley of Farmington, and a 2010 graduate of Farmington High School.

October 31, 2010

A proper farewell for flags

Since a fire gutted the Farmington American Legion 2 1/2 years ago, folks around there sometimes get a little skittish when the subject of burning things comes up. But that’s not going to be the case this Saturday. Farmington American Legion Post 189 is actually setting out to burn things. And not just any things - they’re going to burn the flag of the United States of America. The American Legion is holding a flag burning ceremony. It’s something the Legion endorses as a proper, respectful disposal of flags that have reached the end of their lifespan.

By Michelle Leonard , October 14, 2010

Yellow Ribbon summit puts city in the spotlight

Next Wednesday afternoon will be like every other day at Boeckman Middle School... except for the presence of dozens of mayors and city officials from around the state, and a helicopter possibly landing in the parking lot.

By Michelle Leonard , September 16, 2010