The bronze medal goes to an individual who has rendered significant service or contributions to an element of the engineer regiment.
The esteemed engineer award was signed by Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, chief of engineers. Gargas, whose family resides in Dexter, was recognized by the Army Engineer Association, on behalf of the engineer regiment, for inspirational leadership to the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
The citation further read, Gargas has distinguished himself throughout many years of dedicated service to the United States Army Engineer Regiment by his demonstrated ability in nearly every fashion possible along leadership lines. Gargas has served in many of the United States Army Engineer Regiments' venues; combat effects through division operations. His service also includes platoon leader, company commander, battalion S3, division engineer, brigade S3, and battalion commander. His selfless service has set the standard for officers to emulate. The Soldiers of the engineer units that he has impacted will remember his work and leadership.
The engineer regiment adopted the de Fleury Medal which is named after French engineer Francois Louis Tesseidre de Fleury, who volunteered to serve with the American Army in its fight for independence from Britain. He won the accolades of Congress for courage under fire during the battle at Stony Point, New York in 1779 and a medal was struck in honor.
There are four levels of the de Fleury: Gold, Silver, Bronze and Steel.
The Engineer Regiment adopted the de Fleury Medal as an award because of the values demonstrated by the man for whom it was struck - values of special meaning to Engineer Soldiers.
Brig. Gen. Randy Alewel, the former brigade commander and current joint force land component commander presented the Bronze de Fleury Medal to Gargas on behalf of the Engineer Regiment. While the ball's host, Col. William Blaylock, 35th Engineer Brigade commander and Command Sgt. Maj. Steven Stuenkel stood alongside Alewel during the presentation.
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Stoddard County, Missouri – The Stoddard County Public Water Supply District #4 officials gathered along with federal, state, and county officials at the USDA office near Dexter, Missouri to break ground on an improvement and expansion of the water system.
District 4 received a Water and Waste Disposal Loan of $1,670,000 and a Water and Waste Disposal Grant of $1,186,200 from USDA Rural Development.
Pictures at the ceremony are from the left: Clarence Smith, Board Member; Rick Huffman, District Superintendent; Randy Long, Board Member, Phyllis Minner, Rural Development Area Director; Tim Fowler, Board President; Whitney Watts, Rural Development Area Specialist; Henry Rieffer, Board Member; John Chittenden, Engineer, Waters Engineering Co.; Ken Rinehart, Board Member; Pam Anglin, Rural Development Housing Program Director; Danny Talkington, Stoddard County Commissioner; Christy Mercer, representing U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill; Billy Pat Wright representing State Senator Doug Libla.
Propst is the son of Darrin and Molly Propst and plans to attend Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas after graduation in May. His current plans are to enter the nursing program.
Shown in the photo are Darrin and Molly Propst, Brooks and Matt Thurman.
Shelby is in the Marching Band and is a member of the Jazz Cats. She is also active in Student Council and a Rotary Interact Club.
She enjoys reading and singing.
Miss Shelby Smith was an attendant in the Miss Dexter 2014 Pageant. This is an annual pageant sponsored by the Dexter Senior High School Music Department. Each year Miss Dexter and her attendants are chosen as Calendar Girls throughout the year.
Congratulations Shelby! The Dexter community is extremely proud of you and your accomplishments.
Photo courtesy of Shannon Putnam.
Written by
Nancy Vines
NCAA Tournament Through the Eyes of Alan Flannigan
"The feeling of playing in the NCAA Tournament was almost surreal as we were going through warm-ups. I still don't know if the reality has sunk in. It was absolutely electric in the building, and as always, the Leopard fans turned out strong. It was pretty neat getting to be a part of March Madness and represent our school in the NCAA tournament."
Alan Flannigan, Dexter High School graduate, is finishing up four years as a member of the Lafayette Leopards. The Division 1 Lafayette College is located in Easton, PA. "This team has been very inspiring. Not only in the way we battled adversity through the ups and downs of the regular season, but also in the way we have handled success. I think a lot of that can be attributed to the leadership of our coaching staff and our team captain and fellow senior, Seth Hinrichs."
Alan says that ever year the team sets the goal of making it to the NCAA tournament, but that this year members felt they really had a great chance.
He proudly points to the fact that the 2014-2015 Leopards are a veteran team with many guys who have seen a lot of court time. He sees this as key to their cinching the Patriot League Championship, and earning a spot in the "Big Dance."
"The experience of cutting down the nets on our home court after winning the Patriot League Championship game was amazing. We have the best fans in the Patriot League, and Kirby Sports Center was absolutely nuts that night. I think about half the student body turned out for that game."
Shortly after winning, the team learned they would be playing number one seeded Villanova--the alma mater of the Leopards head coach Fran O'Hanlon. O'Hanlon had been a star player for the Wildcats, who had seen his jersey number retired.
Alan says the team knew it meant a lot for their coach to be able to play against Villanova. "I think we all certainly wish it had turned out a bit better, but nonetheless, it was a very proud moment."
