Trenton Native Gets Special Promotion

Editor’s Note: The following story was provided by the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Army.
His promotion to first lieutenant will always be a fond memory for 1st Lt. Jesse Meek of Trenton.
The 2005 Trenton High School graduate was the recipient of a special promotion ceremony at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, where the Commanding General of the 35th Infantry Division, Fort Leavenworth, KS, personally ‘pinned’ on his new rank.
Meek is now working for the Multinational Battle Group-East, KFOR 18, under the command of Col. Charles “Chuck” Hensley, where he is the intelligence operations battle captain for the staff.
Taking time out of a tour of the 35th Division’s personnel who are currently assisting with the peacekeeping mission in the Balkans, Maj. Gen. Michael D. Navrkal, made a special trip to Camp Bondsteel to promote Meek and ensure that his soldiers in the deployment are not lacking any support from the division.
“I like to set my eyes on all of our soldiers,” said Navrkal, “and see that they are doing well. It’s important that they are aware of our commitment to them during the deployment and that we check up on them to see if they, or their families back home, are getting all the support they need on any issues that may pop up.”
Meek’s promotion was witnessed by his fellow 35th Division and KFOR 18 soldiers at the morning update meeting. He has been in the army for three years and says the army has given him opportunities that he would normally not receive in civilian life.
“We are doing something important here,” Meek said. “We serve a purpose because our presence in Kosovo ensures the Kosovo people that there will be a safe and secure environment in their area so they can have a stable lifestyle available to them.”
Navrkal pointed out the mix of active duty, international, guard and reserve soldiers in the meeting and said, “we may have different backgrounds and life experiences, but we are all family here. I know that our National Guard Soldiers and the active duty component of KFOR 18 can teach each other many beneficial things.”
“Unlike deployments to the Kuwait, Iraq or Afghanistan, this deployment has new and different experiences for the soldiers,” Navrkal continued. “They will learn and hone their skills and knowledge and be an even more valuable asset for the Army after this deployment ends.”
With his promotion, Meek now plans to keep learning procedures on this deployment so he will improve himself to be a better officer and later become a company commander of an intelligence unit. He earned his commission from the federal OCS commissioning program and attended North Central Missouri College and the Missouri Western State University, earning associate and bachelor degrees.
Meek is the son of Kurt and Laura Kimble of Bethany and he likes to hunt, fish and play a round or two of golf. In his civilian occupation, Meek works for Shuttle Wagon of Grandview.