Minnesota American Legion hands out Outstanding Enlisted Awards
By
Tim Engstrom
Minnesota American Legion National Security & Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Kellogg speaks at the Fall Conference on Oct. 27 of how his committee decides the awardees during a committee meeting at Camp Ripley annually.
ST. CLOUD — The Minnesota American Legion Outstanding Enlisted Awards are an annual tradition.
The nominations are scored and winners determined by members of the Department of Minnesota National Security & Foreign Relations Committee during its NSFR Weekend in September at Camp Ripley.
The recipients are notified and invited to receive their awards in front of their families at the American Legion Fall Conference. Their photos are printed in The Minnesota Legionnaire.
Interacting with the servicemembers at the conference is typically one of the highlights of attending.
An Army Reserve veteran, Commander Paul Hassing is, himself, a prior recipient of this honor.
To nominate a soldiers, sailor, airman, Marine or Coastie in your part of the state for the honor next year, contact NSFR Committee Chairman James Kellogg via email at jamesckg@gmail.com.
There are two awards given for the Army National Guard because of its sheer size. In these photos, HHC means “headquarters and headquarters company.” HHB is the same thing using “battery.”
Department Commander Paul Hassing stands with Staff Sgt. Brian L. Lesetmoe of A Company, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry Regiment an award for U.S. Army National Guard. A Company is in Bemidji and Detroit Lakes.Department Commander Paul Hassing hands Boatswain Mate 3rd Class Aaron Busch of Coast Guard Station Duluth the award for U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.Department Commander Paul Hassing gives Petty Officer 1st Class Jacob Hayden of the Navy Reserve Center Fargo the award for U.S. Navy Reserve.Department Commander Paul Hassing gives Sgt. Mercedes Klein of Detachment Support Company, 4th Law Enforcement Battalion the award for U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. The company is at Fort Snelling.Department Commander Paul Hassing hands Sgt. 1st Class Tonya Eichner of HHB for 1st Battalion, 151st Field Artillery Regiment an award for U.S. Army National Guard. The HHB is in Montevideo.Andru Peters of Minneapolis Post 1 gives Sgt. Ryan Garretson the award for the U.S. Army Reserve. He serves with the HHC 372nd Engineer Brigade at Fort Snelling.Andru Peters of Minneapolis Post 1 gives the award to Master Sgt. Amy Gillette for the U.S. Air Force Reserve. She is with the 934th Airlift Wing at Fort Snelling.
