News, Events & More
Death of a Classmate: Jonathan L Hughes
Posted: 6/18/2020
Jonathan L. Hughes, 55, of Grand Forks, ND, formerly of Neche, ND, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2020, near Grand Forks, ND. Funeral Service will be held Friday, June 19, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Lutheran Church, in Cavalier, ND. Visitation will be held Thursday, June 18, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the church. Social distancing and wearing a mask are recommended. Funeral service will be live streamed on the Askew Funeral Home Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Union Cemetery or the Neche Fire Department.
Click here for the funeral home memorial site.
Jon was a 1983 graduate of Neche High School. After enlisting as a Marine, Jon graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1989. Upon commission, he was assigned to Training Wing (TW-5), Pensacola, FL for flight school and was designated a Naval Aviator in June, 1991. He was reassigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM)-14 in Norfolk, VA to fly the MH-53E Sea Dragon. Hughes returned to Pensacola as a flight instructor in 1995. In 1998, he left active duty but remained in the reserves, assigned to HM-15 in Corpus Christi and flew commercially for Trans World Airlines and Atlantic Coast Airlines. After returning to active duty in 2001, he was deployed in January 2003 to the Persian Gulf and again in 2004, this time as Officer-in-Charge, HM-15 Det. 2. He commanded the 90 person detachment until his transfer to Fort Worth in January, 2005. On October 1, 2006, he was promoted to Commander and assigned to the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth, TX. On July 15, 2007, Jon took his last command of the Navy Operational Support Center, Alameda, CA.
After retiring from the Navy in 2010, he moved to Grand Forks and flew commercially for Sky West Airlines until the time of his death. He also drove beet truck for area farmers and contracted with Trans Systems in the winter months.
Jon enjoyed traveling, camping and boating, snowmobiling, motorcycling and attending sporting events. He remained active in the VFW and spent many of his weekends on water throughout the summer. Jon also spent many evenings and weekends watching his nieces and nephews play sports.
He is survived by his mother, Judy (Bert) Warner of Pembina, brothers, Jeff Hughes, Neche, ND, Jeremy (Beth) Hughes, Thompson, ND, sisters Jackie (Steve) Johnson, Reiles Acres, ND, Laurie (Allen) Williams Montrose, CO, nephews Daniel (Sarah) Williams, Samuel Williams, Jacob Williams and Marcus Hughes, nieces Rachel Johnson, Mara (Joe) Gramling, Lauren (fiancé BJ) Johnson and Mackenzie Hughes, grand-nephews Thomas Johnson and Oliver Johnson.
He was preceded in death by his father, H. Frank Hughes, maternal grandparents, Bert and Irene Hvidsten and paternal grandparents, Howard and Doreen Hughes.
VISITATION
Thursday, June 18, 2020
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
United Lutheran Church in Cavalier (ND)
PRAYER SERVICE
Thursday, June 18, 2020
7:00 PM
United Lutheran Church in Cavalier (ND)
FUNERAL SERVICE
Friday, June 19, 2020
10:30 AM
United Lutheran Church in Cavalier (ND)
Askew Funeral Home
209 Elizabeth Street, P.O. Box 656
Cavalier, ND 58220
Phone: 701-265-4321
E-mail: askewfh@gmail.com
– Yard Gouge (Spring 2020)
Posted: 5/5/2020
Dear Classmates,
I hope this update finds you and your family well during this very challenging and difficult time. Remember, we’re all here for each other, so if you’re needing some assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Please allow me to share highlights from the recent Council of Class Presidents meeting, a twice-a-year gathering sponsored by the Alumni Association and Foundation. This spring’s meeting was virtual and well attended, with an interesting variety of important topics discussed:
Current state of USNA and the Brigade (as briefed by the Commandant, Captain Thomas R. Buchanan):
- All midshipmen are sheltering in place INCONUS, with approximately 40 to 50 midshipman residing in Bancroft Hall.
- The number of midshipmen infected by COVID is in the single digits, with no hospitalizations.
- A virtual graduation is planned for the class of 2020, with more details to be announced.
- Plebe summer will occur, with details under discussion.
Alumni Center project
- $22M building project for a 65,000 square foot building across from Bishop Stadium on King George Street.
- Construction begins October 2020, and is complete July 2022.
- August 2020 Shipmate will discuss class naming opportunities, similar to those at Navy and Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
- Expected class naming opportunities at 100K and 250K milestones.
- Individual recognition opportunities at 12.5K; this donation also counts toward the class financial milestone.
Virtual Service Academy Career Conference (SACC)
- Outstanding participation: 63 companies and 502 job seekers.
- SACC Central is online with postings for jobs.
Alumni Mentoring Program (AMP)
Almost 4,000 alumni participate in a Mentor/Protégé relationship through the Alumni Mentoring Program (AMP). Please consider participating! We have a lot to offer to fellow alumni that might be transitioning out of the service or to a new career field.
Chapel Dome Heirlooms
Renovations are currently underway to replace the aging copper dome. Herff Jones is offering heirlooms from material salvaged, to include ornaments, jewelry, challenge coins, and framed heirlooms. Click here for more information and to purchase!
Objective Zero
Objective Zero, a Class of 1998 initiative, is an app that leverages existing support networks (classmates) to provide timely support to Veterans through their hard days. The objective of the initiative is zero additional suicides. A motion was approved by the COCP to formally request that the Alumni Association and Foundation and NAAA recognize Objective Zero at Navy sporting events.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief update, and I’m glad to answer any questions you might have. Please feel free to contact me anytime at denise.willert@1989.usna.com.
Stay safe and healthy! Now’s the Time, 89!
Fondly, Denise
Posted by Ingar Grev on May 5, 2020
– Welcome from your new board!
Posted: 2/28/2020
Dear Classmates:
As the President of the newly elected board of class representatives, I’d like to express our deepest thanks for placing your trust and confidence in us. Our group includes Heather Purvis (VP), Tony Newpower (Treasurer), Heidi Fleming (Secretary), Joe Fagan (Operations), and Clint Carroll and Edwin Henderson (Members at Large). We are excited and honored to work with you over the next several years, and relish your feedback and suggestions in all that we do!
A million thanks are not enough to extend to those classmates who have gone before us in this role. Please let me start with Ingar Grev, who led us for approximately 20 years through four reunions and two class gifts. Words are hardly enough to say an appropriate thank you. Andy Caufield and Brian Caldwell are also two teammates who represented us brilliantly for fifteen years. And there are so many others … let us just conclude by saying that we have HUGE shoes to fill.
A special thanks to Chris Owens as the coordinator for our recent reunion, as well as all of the reunion committee. It was a brilliant success and a total blast!
Thank you to all who contributed to our class gift campaign — I’ll be sending a wrap-up email with details on this project as soon as the final accounting is complete.
I don’t want to make this too long, but just want you to know that we’re going to be working hard as a board to keep you informed, get your input, and do our very best to contribute to the lasting legacy of our class in our support of our fabulous institution.
Now’s the Time, 89!
Fondly,
Denise, Heather, Tony, Heidi, Joe, Clint and Ed
Posted February 20, 2020 by Ingar Grev
– Beat Army 2019 Tailgater!
Posted: 11/25/2019
Click here to get all the gouge and register.
It’s that time of year again! Army is an awesome time to get together with classmates and shipmates that we haven’t seen in years – or perhaps we’ve seen as recently as the reunion – so grab your tickets and come join us on December 14th in Philly!
Reminders:
- We typically have between 150-225 people show up (depends on weather), so share this with friends and coworkers! We can take it!
- You don’t need to register to come (so don’t avoid us because you forgot to register), but you’ll be doing us a favor if you do register! It helps us plan how much food and drink we need to buy and haul up to Philly in the trailer. If you’re not sure, go ahead and register and then donate when you get there.
- We’ll be getting there pretty early to set up (8?), but please plan on the main party going from 10-2 (kickoff is at 3).
Let me know if you have any questions, and BEAT ARMY!
Remember to click here to get the gouge and register!
Ingar
– Beat SMU 2019 Tailgater!
Posted: 11/19/2019
Click here to get all the gouge and register.
A few reminders:
Tickets: you don’t need tickets to come to your tailgater, but this game is so important for the team, it would be great if you could scrounge some tickets and get into the stadium to cheer Navy on!
Want to Volunteer? We could always use volunteers for food / menu planning / selection, heavy lifting (set up and shut down), etc., but – again – what’s most important is that you come.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER TO COME! It just helps us plan, but we always have stragglers and we always plan for stragglers.
Donations: Just donate whatever you want, nothing, or in kind. What’s most important is that you join us! We’re bringing beer, wine, soft drinks, water, coffee, tea, and a few odds and ends, so there’s no need to bring drinks along!
If there’s a chance you might come, please click here and register by Thursday night so that we can start buying food on Friday!
Beat SMU!
Ingar
– Glee Club Alumni Attending Reunion – please read!
Posted: 10/21/2019
Class of ’89 Glee Club Alumni! You are invited to sing at the Class Memorial Service in Memorial Hall on Friday, 10/25 at 10:00 AM. We will be presenting “Amazing Grace” at the beginning of the service, and “Eternal Father” at the conclusion.
There is an ’89 Glee Club Reunion – hosted by Shawn James – planned for 6PM on Thursday, 10/24. Chuck Messenger has been coordinating the music. In addition to singing some of our old standards “just for fun” at this event, we will be rehearsing “Amazing Grace” and “Eternal Father” for the Memorial Service. More information on the Glee Club Reunion gathering is posted on Facebook
You do NOT need to attend the Glee Club Reunion in order to sing at the Memorial Service.
All singers, please meet in the Rotunda at 0900 on Friday 10/25 to go through the music. That is a little on the early side, but we want to ensure we have ample time to determine how we are standing and to go through both hymns.
Here are links to the hymns:
Please contact Lisa Skaggs Thomas (click to open up your email client) if you have any questions!
If you are not going to the Reunion Gathering, would you please RSVP to Lisa so we have an approximate head count?
Thank you so much, and hopefully we’ll see you at the Glee Club Reunion AND at the Memorial Service!”
Posted on behalf of Lisa Skaggs Thomas by Ingar Grev on October 20, 2019. Updated by Ingar Grev on October 22, 2019.
– Beat USF 2019 Tailgater!
Posted: 10/16/2019
Click here to get all the gouge and register.
A few reminders:
Tickets: you don’t need no stinking tickets to come to your tailgater! Come hang out and drink some beers and break some bread with classmates you haven’t seen in years!
Want to Volunteer? We could always use volunteers for food / menu planning / selection, heavy lifting (set up and shut down), etc., but – again – what’s most important is that you come.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER TO COME! It just helps us plan, but we always have stragglers and we always plan for stragglers.
Donations: Just donate whatever you want, nothing, or in kind. What’s most important is that you join us! We’re bringing beer, wine, soft drinks, water, coffee, tea, and a few odds and ends, so there’s no need to bring drinks along!
If there’s a chance you might come, please click here and register by Thursday night so that we can start buying food on Friday!
Beat USF!
Ingar
– Beat Air Farce 2019 Tailgater!
Posted: 10/1/2019
Click here to get all the gouge and register.
A few reminders:
Tickets: you don’t need no stinking tickets to come to your tailgater! Come hang out and drink some beers and break some bread with classmates you haven’t seen in years!
Want to Volunteer? We could always use volunteers for food / menu planning / selection, heavy lifting (set up and shut down), etc., but – again – what’s most important is that you come.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER TO COME! It just helps us plan, but we always have stragglers and we always plan for stragglers.
Donations: Just donate whatever you want, nothing, or in kind. What’s most important is that you join us! We’re bringing beer, wine, soft drinks, water, coffee, tea, and a few odds and ends, so there’s no need to bring drinks along!
If there’s a chance you might come, please click here and register by Thursday night so that we can start buying food on Friday!
Beat Air Farce!
Ingar
– Beat ECU 2019 Tailgater!
Posted: 9/10/2019
Click here to get all the gouge and register.
A few reminders:
Tickets: you don’t need no stinking tickets to come to your tailgater! Come hang out and drink some beers and break some bread with classmates you haven’t seen in years!
Want to Volunteer? We could always use volunteers for food / menu planning / selection, heavy lifting (set up and shut down), etc., but – again – what’s most important is that you come.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER TO COME! It just helps us plan, but we always have stragglers and we always plan for stragglers.
Donations: Just donate whatever you want, nothing, or in kind. What’s most important is that you join us! We’re bringing beer, wine, soft drinks, water, coffee, tea, and a few odds and ends, so there’s no need to bring drinks along!
If there’s a chance you might come, please click here and register by Thursday night so that we can start buying food on Friday!
Beat The Pirates!
Ingar
– Beat Holy Cross 2019 Tailgater!
Posted: 8/28/2019
Click here to get all the gouge and register.
Our theme is standard tailgater fare of hamburgers and hotdogs. so if you’re a “foodie” and would like to help us with the menu, please let me know at igrev@1989.usna.com.
A colleague in the bourbon business told me that he’s going to bring some fine bottles along for us to enjoy, so don’t miss it!
A few reminders:
Tickets: you don’t need no stinking tickets to come to your tailgater! Come hang out and drink some beers and break some bread with classmates you haven’t seen in years!
Want to Volunteer? We could always use volunteers for heavy lifting (set up and shut down) but – again – what’s most important is that you come.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER TO COME! It just helps us plan, but we always have stragglers and we always plan for stragglers.
Donations: Just donate whatever you want, nothing, or in kind. What’s most important is that you join us! We’re bringing beer, wine, soft drinks, water, coffee, tea, and a few odds and ends, so there’s no need to bring drinks along!
If there’s a chance you might come, please click here and register by Thursday night so that we can start buying food on Friday!
Beat The Crusaders!
Ingar
