Active Duty: Awards and achievements of local members of the military

Army Capt. Michael J. Kammerer has taken command of Headhunter Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry at Fort Bliss, Texas. The calvary squadron is the oldest and most decorated battalion in the Army. Kammerer is the son of Christina Kammerer of Mill Creek and Ricky Kammerer of Everett. He is a 1998 graduate of Lake Stevens High School and a 2002 graduate of the University of Washington.

Air Force Airman Anthony M. Ragland graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Michael Ragland of Arlington. Ragland graduated in 2008 from Marysville Arts And Technology High School.

Air Force Airman Curtis J. Ducken graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Ducken graduated in 2010 from Oak Harbor High School.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Brandon C. Urtasun graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Frank and Christina Urtasun of Oak Harbor. Urtasun received an associate degree in 2009 from Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Ryan P. Barnes graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Keith Barnes of Edmonds and Shurrie Barnes of Port Angeles. Barnes graduated in 2010 from Edmonds-Woodway High School.

Army National Guard Spec. Duane R. Hagins has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. Hagins is the son of Ruth Hagins of Arlington.

Army Cadet Samantha R. Welch received the George C. Marshall Award during an awards ceremony at the Marshall Center, Virginia Military Institute, in Lexington, Va. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding senior Army Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets. This is a national award and the highest award a cadet can receive. Welch is a student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Ariz. A 2007 graduate of Arlington High School, Welch is the daughter of Jim and Margaret Welch of Arlington.

To submit news for the Active Duty column, contact reporter Gale Fiege, 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.