Earlier in October, Carlsbad lost a former resident who was a highly decorated United States veteran, as well as an outstanding overall person.
U.S. Army Major Joshua James Molgaard passed away on Oct. 11 in San Antonio. He grew up in Carlsbad with his parents, Brad and Therese Molgaard.
Major Molgaard had two master’s degrees. He was commissioned in the U. S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in 2006. In 2007, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he served as a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer until 2008. He commanded Delta Company, 3rd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri from 2011 to 2012. Major Molgaard then served as an instructor in the Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering at the United States Military Academy. Following West Point, Major Molgaard served as a researcher in the area of assessments and radiation injury at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute from 2017 to 2020. Major Molgaard’s final assignment was with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency in 2020.
Major Molgaard’s awards and decorations from the Army include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Combat Action Badge.
He was also a devoted father of two, a husband, a worship leader at his church and a songwriter. Our deepest condolences go out to the Molgaard family and we thank them for his incredible service to this country. His family is asking for donations to Operation Heal Our Patriots, Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or Compassion International, https://www.compassion.com/donate.htm.
The Carlsbad Community Foundation has also asked us to remind you that Chevron Catalyst Grant applications are being accepted until Sunday, October 31, 2021. The Foundation has awarded small to medium-sized grants through this program since 2018. In total, more than a quarter million dollars has been awarded to local nonprofit organizations. More information is available on the Web site at www.carlsbadfoundation.org.
COVID-19 update: 51.1% of Eddy County residents have now completed their vaccine series, according to the New Mexico Department of Health. In partnership with the Department of Health and Eddy County, we are still offering vaccine clinics every Monday at the civic center, now from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additionally, booster shots of Moderna and Pfizer are now being offered as well. To register, please visit https://cvvaccine.nmhealth.org/my-registration.html
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway