Les Reardanz, Port of Everett CEO, is presented an award by Glen Bachman (right) for his service in Afghanistan on Tuesday. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Les Reardanz, Port of Everett CEO, is presented an award by Glen Bachman (right) for his service in Afghanistan on Tuesday. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Everett Port CEO back to work after serving in Afghanistan

Les Reardanz has spent nearly 30 years in the Navy. He was honored during the port’s Tuesday meeting.

EVERETT — Les Reardanz’s service in the Navy is officially part of Everett’s history.

The Port of Everett board of commissioners passed a resolution at its meeting on Tuesday to recognize his time in the military. Reardanz, who is the port’s CEO, received a dark wooden plaque with gold lettering.

“I’m just slightly overwhelmed and humbled and embarrassed,” he said. “But the biggest thing is, I’m grateful for their support.”

The Navy captain has spent the past eight months deployed in Afghanistan. He returned to work in Everett on Tuesday.

Lisa Lefeber took over the port’s operations while Reardanz was gone. She’s usually the chief of policy and communications.

“I just couldn’t be more happy with the job she did,” Reardanz said.

He’s been in the Navy for 27 years. This was his fourth mobilization, and the second to Afghanistan. His first tour there was in 2008.

Within the past decade, Afghanistan has become more involved with combat, while the United States had taken on a stronger advisory role, Reardanz said. His job was to train and assist the Afghan police and military.

He also noticed that the country had become more unified. He saw more Afghan flags than before and watched people come together to celebrate the country’s cricket team.

“I took it as a good sign,” Reardanz said.

He honored the port by raising an American flag in its name over Camp Resolute Support, a headquarters there for NATO. He brought the flag back in a case, folded into a triangle.

The keepsake came with a certificate. It states that the flag was flown “in remembrance of all who have gone before to the cause of freedom.”

Reardanz returned to the United States in mid-October and spent two weeks in Norfolk, Virginia. There, he went through a process to change from active duty back to reserve status.

For his return, yellow ribbons were tied to the main entrance of the port’s business center on Craftsman Way. An American flag hung outside the door of his office.

While he was away, Reardanz sent about a dozen postcards to his coworkers. They all were on display, along with a “Welcome home” sign in the break room.

“I thought I was just going to slide back in, but I should have known,” he said.

That afternoon, he was greeted by a room full of people at the board’s regular meeting. Nearly every person shook his hand by the end of the night. Many told him, “I’m glad you’re safe.”

Naval Station Everett’s commanding officer, Capt. Mike Davis, was in the front row wearing a green camouflage uniform. He took over management at the base while Reardanz was away. They plan to meet in a couple of weeks to talk about working together.

This deployment appears to be the last for Reardanz. He’s set to retire from the Navy in two years.

Stephanie Davey: 425-339-3192; sdavey@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @stephrdavey.

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