MILITARY NOTES

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

Military notes: Pvt. Andrew Young

Army Pvt. Andrew D. Young has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consists of Basic Infantry Training and Advanced Individual Training. During the nine weeks of basic combat training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons employment, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid skills, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experienced use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman. The Advanced Individual Training course is designed to train infantry soldiers to perform reconnaissance operations; employ, fire and recover anti-personnel and anti-tank mines; locate and neutralize land mines and operate target and sight equipment; operate and maintain communications equipment and radio networks; construct field firing aids for infantry weapons; and perform infantry combat exercises and dismounted battle drills, which includes survival procedures in a nuclear, biological or chemical contaminated area. He is the son of Melissa Grassmann of Farmington and is a 2007 graduate of Farmington High School.

August 15, 2010

Recovery continues for Mailn

It’s been nearly one month since an improvised explosive device changed the lives of 2002 Farmington High School graduate Kyle Malin and his family. These days, though, they’re all feeling better about the soldier’s progress.

By Michelle Leonard , August 12, 2010

Editorial: Take a minute to offer thanks to a soldier

Ever since the United States sent its first military forces to Afghanistan in the early part of this decade the Independent has made a point of covering the efforts made by local soldiers.

July 22, 2010

FHS grad loses legs to explosion in Afghanistan

Farmington High School graduate Kyle Malin is in stable condition and preparing for transportation to Walter Reed Army Medical in Washington, D.C. after he was injured in an explosion in Afghanistan earlier this week.

By Michelle Leonard , July 22, 2010

Military notes: Spec. Alex Herme

Specialist Alex Herme recently was deployed to Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan with the Army’s 4th Combat Aviation Brigade. Herme works as a Chinook helicopter crew chief providing in-air operational maintenance and support. The deployment is expected to last until July 2011. Alex is the son of Tom and Paula Herme of Farmington, and brother of Rachel Herme, Fargo, ND.

July 18, 2010

Pvt. Royce M. Knudson

Army National Guard Pvt. Royce M. Knudson has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consists of basic infantry training and advanced individual training.

July 08, 2010

Military notes: Airmain Liela Brown

Air Force Airman Liela M. Brown has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Brown 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. Brown is the daughter of Robin Brown of Ellington Trail, Farmington. She is a 2007 graduate of Farmington High School.

July 01, 2010

The hands behind the memorials

Fingers were flying May 27 at the Farmington VFW. Seated at long rows of tables in the club’s back room, five women were busy wrapping the wire stems of VFW and American Legion poppies around evergreen branches. They spent hours creating the wreaths, decorations that many will never notice. They do it out of a sense of duty. They do it because they like getting together with women they might not otherwise see all that often. And they do it because, well, that’s the way it’s been done for a long as any of them can remember.

By Nathan Hansen , June 03, 2010

Annual Military Family Day is set for Saturday

Last year, Farmington’s Warrior to Citizen group held a picnic for the families of men and women in the military. It was at the Dakota County Fairgrounds, and about 160 family members turned out for the occasion.

By Michelle Leonard , May 21, 2010

Column: Pick up a poppy or two

We’re coming up on a couple of really big, important weekends in the world of military and veterans affairs. This next Saturday is Armed Forces Day, and a World War II reenactment event has been scheduled at the Dakota County Fairgrounds to coincide with the holiday. The following weekend, Warrior to Citizen will hold its second annual Military Family Day at the Dakota County Fairgrounds. And the weekend after is one of the biggies — Memorial Day.

By Michelle Leonard , May 20, 2010

Thanking military moms

They were there. The mothers. The grandmothers. They were there, wearing yellow ribbons pinned over their hearts. Each ribbon bore the name of a loved one who is serving or has served his or her country.

By Michelle Leonard , May 15, 2010