Print this story | E-mail story | This story has 13 comments Add your own | iPod friendly
Debra Hanneman promoted to colonel
Published Monday, October 13, 2008
Photo by Dave Churchill
Paige Swenson, right, attaches new insignia to U.S. Army Col. Deb Hanneman’s uniform during a ceremony Saturday at the Bigwood Event Center. The occasion marked Hanneman’s promotion to colonel, a rank only three percent of U.S. Army officers achieve.
It’s not every day a woman stands in front of friends and family to accept the promotion to a rank achieved by only three percent of those serving in the United States Army.
On Saturday, Debra Hanneman traveled from her home in Pennsylvania to do just that, as she was officially declared an Army colonel during a ceremony shared with those who she says have inspired and motivated her to accomplish all she has throughout her life.
“There hasn’t been one day in my Army career that I haven’t been able to look back on this group,” Hanneman said to the fifty friends and family who gathered to celebrate her career.
Col. Tim Hunt of Fergus Falls officiated the ceremony, with Hanneman’s family members taking part in the official pinning.
Hanneman’s two daughters, Megan and Alexandria, led the pledge of allegiance, and joined with their grandfather, Gordon Hanneman and aunt, Paige Swenson, to pin the new emblem on Col. Hanneman’s uniform.
Hanneman’s military experience began 27 years ago, when the Fergus Falls native enrolled in the Army to serve her country and quench her thirst for adventure.
“I just wanted to change directions. I was looking for something else to do,” she said. “I wanted to move around. And all those dreams came true.”
Her career in the Army has allowed her to work in various atmospheres and locations throughout the country —20 different locations, to be exact.
Her profession has even taken her to the Pentagon, where she worked for a couple of years on the joint staff.
In her 27 years of service, Hanneman has made her way up the ranks, serving as a first lieutenant, captain, major lieutenant colonel and now a colonel.
And although times have always certainly remained interesting, Hanneman said it hasn’t always been easy — especially now.
“We are an Army at war. And it is tough, guys, it is tough,” Hanneman shared with family and friends.
Despite having already accomplished more than most throughout her life in the military, Hanneman isn’t ready to sit still. Currently, she is enrolled at the Senior Service College in Carlyle, Pennsylvania, which is attended by senior officers on their journey towards career progression.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by mccain08 (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 1:43 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by notcominghome (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well congratulations Ms.Hanneman. Thank You for your service to our country. I have not seen military stories in the journal for a while and knew there had to be past and present community member that our protecting our country.
WOW mccain08 you are VERY ignorant.
Posted by bigdaddy (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a proud Veteran of the Armed forces(Army,Infantry), all who wear the uniform and serve our country deserve our respect. No matter what capacity they fulfill. Even if you disagree with the current conflicts. Even pencil pushers contribute to the unit as a whole. I share your disdain for our present situation, but I would encourage you to direct it towards our elected officials. They have most, if not all the say, as to what our military does. The military only follows direction as dictated by the oath of service.
Posted by bigdaddy (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations Col Hanneman!
Posted by otter (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congrats to Col Hanneman. We need people that devote their lifes to the military. As to Mccain08, you probably do not understand that things just don't happen..war - we need people to work in offices to make everything work, from equipment, to benifits to food, to......the list goes on & on. Without these things how would the soldiers survive.. (truely with your lack of understanding I hope you are not the typical Mccain voter)
Posted by Lala (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations Deb!! Thank you for everything you do for our country!!! You deserve it!
Posted by Flashbang (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mccain08 it is obvious that you know very little or nothing about the military structure and chain of command. Who do you think is suppose to give our men and women direction? It has to come from somewhere. The soliders in the field will, in some instances revise the orders from above, but for the most part, they're given because they are part of a bigger picture. Being a field grade officer which Col Hanneman is isn't an easy job. Yes, it is a desk job pushing a pencil but I would bet all I have that if you had her job, you'd walk away in a week with much more appreciation on what she does. It's one hell of a responsibility to make the right decisions to do what has to be done with as few injuries and deaths as possible to our soldiers. She's carrying alot of responsibility on her shoulders. When you get that high up you're not only trying to fight military battles but also political battles. Join her for a week and it might change your mind about that thoughtless post of yours. As somenone who works for the Dept. of the Army, I salute Col. Hanneman and wish her well and hope that she continues with her education and gets that first star.
Posted by ROOKSTER69 (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congrats "Boo"..Good on ya. Long time no see ya.
Rook & Joanie
USN Retired
Posted by Jerry (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The best way to determine the leadership abilities of any officer or NCO is to ask the people that have served under them. Any one that works at high profile jobs (as many do) to purely enhance their careers needs to also be spending some time in a combat unit. No one in the military sends troops to war for the sake of oil, they send troops to war because they were ordered to do so by the Cdr In Chief. Many times when one holds distain for a officer or NCO in the military it is because they wanted to be one, never served at all, or were not such a good soldier themselves. Anyway, Congratulations to Col Hanneman!
Posted by hugh1936 (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To Mccain08- last I heard it was the civilians in Washington putting our troops in harms way, not the military that wished they were home and the dolts that put them in harms way were sitting in Bagdad and Kabul instead of them.
Posted by neocon (anonymous) on October 13, 2008 at 8:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this army woman deserves our respekt. as a woman her place is in an office and not in combat.
Posted by laurie (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 1:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations Deb! What an achievement! I occasionally read the Journal online & was very glad I did tonight! I'm honored to say I went to high school with you. Looking forward to seeing you at the next class reunion!
Posted by Josephine (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Way to go Boo! You were in the class behind me at FFSH and I'm very proud of you.
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)