This is the 37th in a series about graduates from Mountain Valley High School who are serving our country in the military.
During his time at Mountain Valley High School, Michael Hansen was an outstanding three-sport athlete. He played soccer, lacrosse and wrestling. When he graduated in 2004, he was state champion wrestler in his 215-pound weight class.
Then it was off to Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) University to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences.
But the “family business” was calling to him. He is currently on active duty in the U.S. Army and has attained the rank of Specialist (SPC).
His sense of family history led SPC Hansen to say, “I was motivated to enlist in the Army to serve my nation and earn the rights that I enjoy daily. I am fourth generation military, serving after my father, Stephen Hansen. Also my grandfather and his father served in the Navy. All four generations have served during a time of war.”
Stephen Hansen served in the Naval Reserve in the construction battalion during Desert Storm. Michael’s grandfather, Earl Hansen, Jr., was a Petty Officer, second class in the U.S. Navy and served during the Vietnam War. Finally, Michael’s great grandfather, Earl Hansen, Sr., served during World War II as a Petty Officer, third class, also in the U.S. Navy.
With all those sailors in the family, one might wonder about the choice of the Army.
SPC Hansen explained, “I chose the Army simply because they guaranteed a job position. The Navy doesn’t the give you a councilor but will select a job and location based on needs and openings.”
Regardless of the branch, all military members deserve respect for the vital and difficult jobs they do.
SPC Hansen said, “I would like people back home to enjoy the freedom that all soldiers fight for. Also I would like the people back home to respect the people that have served in all branches of the military past, present, and future.”
SPC Hansen is a Combat Engineer. He said, “Combat Engineers primarily supervise, serve or assist as a member of a team when they are tackling rough terrain in combat situations. They provide their expertise in areas such as mobility, counter mobility, survivability and general engineering. A Combat Engineer also constructs fighting positions, places explosives, detects mines & prepares firing systems to assist in combat situations.”
He is currently stationed at Fort Bliss, in El Paso, TX.
SPC Hansen married a MVHS alumna, Kayla (Downs) Hansen, who is a member of the Class of 2008. They are parents of three-year-old Kaydn and nine-month-old Peyton.
While in Texas, Kayla earned certificates in phlebotomy and x-ray technology.
SPC Hansen is the son of Stephen and Sherrie Hansen of Rumford. His father-in-law, Jaime Downs, served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years.
If you know of a MVHS alumnus who is currently serving their country or has recently finished their enlistment, please contact Donna Peare at dpeare@rsu10.org. This is the end of the series unless other military members are willing to have their story told.

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