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Volume 122, Number
39 Wednesday,
November 2nd, 2005
Esmond native retires
after 24 years with US Navy
Lt. Cmdr. Jeffrey Halvorson, a native of Esmond, retired from the US
Navy at a retirement ceremony held at the Naval Undersea Museum in
Keyport, Wash. October 7. The ceremony concluded 24 years of Naval
service for the former enlisted sailor turned officer.
He is the son of Larry and Fran Halvorson of Esmond.
Halvorson enlisted in the Navy in March of 1981 as part of the
Training and Administration of Reserves (TAR) program. He reported
to Recruit Training Command in San Diego, Calif. for recruit
training.
After completion of basic training, he reported to the Naval
Technical Training Center (NTTC) in Meridian, Miss. for Personnelman
"A" school. He then reported to USS McKean (DD-784) home ported in
Seattle, Wash.
After decommissioning of the McKean in September of 1981, Halvorson
was assigned to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron Five Five (VR-55),
Naval Air Station Alameda where he was selected as Squadron Sailor
of the Quarter for the third quarter of 1983.
After graduation from the Enlisted Classifier School in New Orleans,
La. he reported to the Naval Reserve Center in Bremerton, Wash.,
where he served as the Reserve Pay Department Head for over 400
reservists and as an enlisted classified and career counselor.
In June of 1987, Halvorson was selected for the Enlisted
Commissioning Program and reported to the University of Idaho in
August of the same year.
He received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering (cum
laude) in May of 1990 and was selected for the Navy Nuclear
Propulsion Program.
Prior to entering the nuclear training pipeline, he served for one
patrol onboard USS Alaska (SSBN-732). During this patrol, the ship
launched C4 test missiles. He then completed Nuclear Power School in
Orlando, Fla.
In June of 1992, Halvorson reported to USS Ohio (SSBN-726) at Naval
Submarine Base Bangor (Bangor, Maine). There he served as sonar
officer, assistant weapons officer, electrical assistant and
communicator. During this tour, Ohio successfully launched C4 test
missiles. The ship completed the first TRIDENT-engineered overhaul
at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in June of 1994 and subsequent sea
trials out of Port Canaveral, Fla.
From March 1995 to March 1997, he attended the Naval Postgraduate
School in Monterey, Calif., completing a master's degree in computer
science.
After completion of the Submarine Officer Advanced Course, he
entered the Prospective Weapons Officer pipeline including a
qualification patrol onboard USS Nevada (SSBN-733). During this
patrol, Nevada launched C4 missiles configured for test.
In February of 1998 he reported to the USS Henry M. Jackson
(SSBN-730) at Bangor where he served as strategic weapons officer
and combat systems officer. The ship participated in the second ever
TRIDENT extended refit period. The ship successfully launched C4
missiles configured for test. All together, Halvorson has
participated in the launch of 12 C4 test missiles as well as five
transits through the Panama Canal.
In March of 2001 he reported to the staff of Trident Training
Facility, Bangor (TTF). He served as the strategic weapons systems
team training division officer, overseeing the installation of the
D5 Backfit weapons systems labs and implementation of D5 Backfit
officer training courses.
Additionally, he served as SWS Department deputy director for
training where he was responsible for implementing the Weapons
Officer Mentoring Program. He played a key role in the restructuring
of TTF under the Chief of Naval Operations' Revolution in Training.
In February of 2004, Halvorson was assigned to a second tour at TTF
as the engineering training department director. He managed the
installation of a full scope maneuvering area trainer as well.
Reflecting on his career, Halvorson made some observations that led
to his success in leadership and as an individual.
"One of my favorite sayings is, 'Doing the same thing over and over
again, expecting different results is, by definition, insanity.'
Positive change often involves conflict, but the first step is to
change our thinking. It's very hard to break away from our 'comfort
zones,' but often we need to,"
said Halvorson.
"Keep a balance. There is always too much to do; not only as a
submariner but with life in general. Therefore, success is a matter
of priorities. It is easy to focus on one area and lose that
balance. It takes work and effort to maintain the balance," he
added.
Halvorson's awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service
Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy and Marine Corps
Achievement Medal
(3 awards), Good Conduct Medal (2 awards), National Defense Service
Medal
(2 awards) and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Seaman Jeffrey Halvorson in 1981 after his initial training in the
US Navy.
Lt. Commander Jeffrey Halvorson retired after 24 years in the US
Navy. His rank is equivalent to that of major in the other armed
services. He is a native of Esmond and is the son of Larry and Fran
Halvorson of Emsond.
Celebrates 100th
Former Leeds area resident Gladys Blackmore celebrated her 100th
birthday August 6 with a ride on a motorcycle driven by her friend
John. She has lived in Rapid City, SD since 1995. She still has her
own apartment, seems to be in excellent health and is as active as
ever. She still enjoys doing crossword puzzles and reading. Daughter
Barbara Vail and her husband Larry live nearby.
Building under construction
The Multi-Purpose Building that will serve as headquarters for the
Benson County 4-H program is under construction just west of the
Maddock School.
Gleason Construction of Devils Lake is the contractor. The
building's exterior dimensions are 106'x270'x24' high.
Fuel distributors honor Schmidt
Rep. Arlo Schmidt (D-Maddock) was awarded the Outstanding Public
Service Award by the ND Petroleum Marketers Assn. at its annual
convention October
26 in Fargo. The ND Petroleum Marketers Assn. represents smaller
bulk fuel distributors in North Dakota. Its members voted and chose
Schmidt from among 94 state representatives and 47 state senators to
receive the award.
He is the seventh recipient of the award, which was instituted in
1999.
Schmidt is the only Democrat to have received the award.
To perform at Minot
Four Leeds High School musicians have been selected to the Northwest
International Festival of Music in Minot. Left to right are Lindsay
Anderson, who was selected an alternate to the honor band. She is
the daughter of Greg and Karen Anderson. Selected to the mixed
chorus was Bryce Zietz, son of Betty Anderson. Selected to the
women's chorus were Ali Strand, daughter of Mike and Donna Strand,
and Amber Bracken, daughter of Richard and Melody Bracken. The
students will rehearse at Minot State University Nov. 4 and 5. The
weekend will culminate with a concert in the Anne Nelsen Auditorium
at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5.
Disaster relief
The three congregational Sunday Schools of the Leeds Lutheran Parish
got a chance to give some aid to the people affected by the recent
hurricane destruction along the Gulf of Mexico. Sunday School
children contributed their offerings during the month of September
to be donated to the ELCA Disaster Relief. Pastor Rich Budd is shown
accepting the check of $317 from Zion Sunday School superintendent
Tawnie Legacie, St. Petri superintendent Roxanne Gillespie and Leeds
superintendent Nancy Follman.
Students make comfort pillows
Members of Mrs. Horner's 7th and 8th grade class at Tate Topa Middle
School in Ft. Totten recently finished making comfort pillows. The
project was developed by the Husqvarna Viking Sewing Machine Company
for patients to use for support and comfort during recovery. The
pillows will be donated to the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo.
Seventh graders, left to right, are Ashley Ironhawk, Geoffrey
Leftbear, Chastity Lightning, Jessica Hale, Shanice Walking Eagle
and Lilly Hinton. Not pictured are Tori Brown, Tia Fox, Sharlotte
Martin, Logan Robertson and Tyra Shaw.
Other 7th graders are, left to right, front row: Braxton Luger,
Dakota DuBois and Ulonda Twohearts. Second row: Mitchell Buckles,
Jessica Morken, Chelsey Thumb, Tristan Thomas and Mariah Peltier.
Third row: Jonathon Desjarlais, Emmanuel Medicinestone, Charles
Lovejoy and Herbert Blueshield.
Not pictured is Sarah DeMarce.
Eighth graders, left to right, are Karly Ironshield, Christina
Ironshield, Kendra Baker, Randa Abraham, Rock Baer, Lawrence
Lightning, Demery Lawrence and Nickolas Robertson. Not pictured are
Erica Cavanaugh and Jerrica Curley.
Oberon reading students
Students at the Oberon School who met the reading requirements for
October are pictured. Left to right, front row, are Shawn Lewis,
Destiny Robertson, Larissa Dunn, Jaden Whitetail and Dekendric
Redfox. Second row: Sean Charboneau Jr., Jace Feather, Raylene
Scott, Jason Feather and Cheyenne Whitetail. Third row: Sierra
Charboneau, Emily Thumb, Shaylee Scott, Lacey Brown and George
Brown. Fourth row: Brock Azure, Dakotah Greywater and Myron Wanna
Jr. Back row: Sarah Hook, Tanya Twohearts, Chelsey Hook, Alfred
Littlewind and Cyril Shaw. |
