MILLINGTON, Tenn. – U.S. Navy sailors from across the fleet are headed to Minnesota for Duluth Navy Week, June 30 to July 6, to volunteer in the community and discuss why the Navy matters to the Zenith City.
While many of the sailors are from all over the country, this Navy Week will carry special meaning for visiting sailors from the area, including Lt. Grant Hungerford, a native of Dassel, Minnesota.
Hungerford graduated from Dassel-Cokato High School in 2004. Hungerford places a great deal of value on education, as evidenced by his earning a bachelor's degree in history in 2009 from Crown College, a bachelor's degree in nursing in 2018 from Metropolitan State University and a master's degree in nursing in 2025 from Duke University.
Upon joining the Navy, Hungerford quickly found that many of the skills and values forged in Dassel were the same as those needed to succeed in the Navy.
"The most important lesson that I learned from my hometown is to work hard, never give up and keep pushing yourself beyond what you believe you are capable of," Hungerford said.
Hungerford, who joined the Navy six years ago, is assigned to Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF) Juliet. EMF Juliet provides health service support to full range military operations as expeditionary advanced base functional components during ground-based, air and maritime operations.
"I joined the Navy as a means of giving back," Hungerford said. "My family has a strong tradition of naval service, and it is an honor to be a commissioned officer in the Navy, as was my brother, father and uncle before me."
Hungerford is part of the fourth Navy Week to be hosted by Duluth. Navy Weeks are a series of outreach events coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) designed to give Americans an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity.
"It's exciting to be able to join the Navy Week in Duluth," Hungerford said. "It is an important reminder that their United States Navy is proud to serve the hometown communities in Minnesota."
Today, Hungerford serves as a Navy nurse with EMF Juliet.
"I work in a large military treatment facility (hospital) as a registered nurse, in particular supporting sailors who are seeking medical care for substance-use related concerns by providing resources, screenings and access to medical care," Hungerford said.
Hungerford has had many opportunities to excel in the Navy and sees military service as more than just a job – it represents a chance to become a better person.
"My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is my journey from staff nurse to nurse practitioner," Hungerford said.
Hungerford is grateful for the Dassel community and for those who helped make a Navy career possible.
'I would like to thank my parents," Hungerford added. "I couldn't ask for better examples of service, compassion, humility and integrity, which I use as a guidepost for what a naval officer should be."
Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence, providing the public a firsthand look at why the Navy matters to cities like Duluth.
“This year, as we mark the Navy’s 250th birthday, we celebrate not only our rich history but also the generations of Sailors who have proudly served our nation,” said Cmdr. Julie Holland, director of the Navy Office of Community Outreach. “Minnesota and the Great Lakes region is rich with naval history, and I am proud to help showcase the strength, resilience, and dedication of America’s Navy to the community of Duluth and beyond.”
Throughout the week, sailors will participate in community service projects with organizations such as Second Harvest Northland, Superior Hiking Trail, Union Gospel Mission, Keep Duluth Clean, Animal Allies and Douglas County Humane Societies, and Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory. They will also engage with local students through STEM-focused sessions at STARBASE Minnesota and offer healthcare presentations and scholarship opportunities at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and the College of St. Scholastica. The Navy Band will perform live at venues across the city, bringing Navy pride and energy to Duluth residents. Duluth Navy Week will also include a city proclamation with Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert, officially recognizing the event and honoring the Navy’s contributions to the Great Lakes region and to the nation.
For a list of public events, visit https://outreach.navy.mil/Navy-Weeks/Duluth-2025/
While many of the sailors are from all over the country, this Navy Week will carry special meaning for visiting sailors from the area, including Lt. Grant Hungerford, a native of Dassel, Minnesota.
Hungerford graduated from Dassel-Cokato High School in 2004. Hungerford places a great deal of value on education, as evidenced by his earning a bachelor's degree in history in 2009 from Crown College, a bachelor's degree in nursing in 2018 from Metropolitan State University and a master's degree in nursing in 2025 from Duke University.
Upon joining the Navy, Hungerford quickly found that many of the skills and values forged in Dassel were the same as those needed to succeed in the Navy.
"The most important lesson that I learned from my hometown is to work hard, never give up and keep pushing yourself beyond what you believe you are capable of," Hungerford said.
Hungerford, who joined the Navy six years ago, is assigned to Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF) Juliet. EMF Juliet provides health service support to full range military operations as expeditionary advanced base functional components during ground-based, air and maritime operations.
"I joined the Navy as a means of giving back," Hungerford said. "My family has a strong tradition of naval service, and it is an honor to be a commissioned officer in the Navy, as was my brother, father and uncle before me."
Hungerford is part of the fourth Navy Week to be hosted by Duluth. Navy Weeks are a series of outreach events coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) designed to give Americans an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity.
"It's exciting to be able to join the Navy Week in Duluth," Hungerford said. "It is an important reminder that their United States Navy is proud to serve the hometown communities in Minnesota."
Today, Hungerford serves as a Navy nurse with EMF Juliet.
"I work in a large military treatment facility (hospital) as a registered nurse, in particular supporting sailors who are seeking medical care for substance-use related concerns by providing resources, screenings and access to medical care," Hungerford said.
Hungerford has had many opportunities to excel in the Navy and sees military service as more than just a job – it represents a chance to become a better person.
"My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is my journey from staff nurse to nurse practitioner," Hungerford said.
Hungerford is grateful for the Dassel community and for those who helped make a Navy career possible.
'I would like to thank my parents," Hungerford added. "I couldn't ask for better examples of service, compassion, humility and integrity, which I use as a guidepost for what a naval officer should be."
Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence, providing the public a firsthand look at why the Navy matters to cities like Duluth.
“This year, as we mark the Navy’s 250th birthday, we celebrate not only our rich history but also the generations of Sailors who have proudly served our nation,” said Cmdr. Julie Holland, director of the Navy Office of Community Outreach. “Minnesota and the Great Lakes region is rich with naval history, and I am proud to help showcase the strength, resilience, and dedication of America’s Navy to the community of Duluth and beyond.”
Throughout the week, sailors will participate in community service projects with organizations such as Second Harvest Northland, Superior Hiking Trail, Union Gospel Mission, Keep Duluth Clean, Animal Allies and Douglas County Humane Societies, and Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory. They will also engage with local students through STEM-focused sessions at STARBASE Minnesota and offer healthcare presentations and scholarship opportunities at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and the College of St. Scholastica. The Navy Band will perform live at venues across the city, bringing Navy pride and energy to Duluth residents. Duluth Navy Week will also include a city proclamation with Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert, officially recognizing the event and honoring the Navy’s contributions to the Great Lakes region and to the nation.
For a list of public events, visit https://outreach.navy.mil/Navy-Weeks/Duluth-2025/