JNS BLOG EXCLUSIVE: Peter Teachout, Former Chair Of The Hawthorne Neighborhood, Swore Into The Army Today...

Peter Teachout, the former chair of the Hawthorne Neighborhood Association who helped guide the organization through challenging and difficult times--including the "taming of the Eco Village"--swore in to the army today as an officer.

The ceremony was held at...

...the Bishop Whipple Federal Building on Fort Snelling, on the third floor. The video you see here is the only video of the ceremony, apologies for the quality of the audio.

Peter was joined by a group of friends and family which was considered rather large by the standards of a Military Entry Processing Station, so much so that officials at the station were willing to accommodate a swearing-in late in the day simply because so many visitors had arrived. The gathering was heavy with residents of North Minneapolis, including Hawthorne Housing Director Jeff Skrenes, myself, Megan Goodmundson of the Jordan Neighborhood, Peter's brother and sister-in-law (Mike and Sarah) who live in the Jordan Neighborhood, and Peter's pastor and his wife who live in Old Highland.

The captain who conducted the swearing-in spoke of his own experiences in the military and the value of army training in developing leadership. After the swearing-in, the Teachouts had a dinner celebration at their home on Lyndale Ave. N.

Peter does not ship out for training until July of 2010. The Teachouts own three properties in North Minneapolis and have no plans to leave any time soon. Peter is hoping to serve in a military intelligence unit.