Sgt. Darin Olson was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal Oct. 29 for outstanding service during 21 years as a member of the North Dakota Army National Guard.
Olson joined the Guard in May 1989 and retired in March 2011. He served with the Guard's 188th Army Band in Fargo, playing French horn and working as music librarian.
In civilian life, Olson works as a systems administrator for TCF Financial Systems in Minneapolis, Minn. He grew up in Minot where his parents, Betty and Duane Olson, live.
Sgt. Christopher A. Hanson was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achieve-ment Medal Oct. 29 for outstanding service while a member of the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.
Hanson has taken part in more than 100 funerals for North Dakota military veterans with the funeral honors team, performing his duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner.
He is a member of the North Dakota National Guard's 188th Army Band in Fargo. He is the full-time administration and operations sergeant for the band and plays trombone and bass to support the band's musical mission.
Hanson grew up in Minot, where his mother, Deb Hanson, lives.