• Madison County Record
    • Madison Living
    • Living 50 Plus
    • Explore
    • Classifieds
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • E-editions
    • Contact Us
    • Services
      • About Us
      • List of Locations
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Madison County Record
    • Madison Living
    • Living 50 Plus
    • Explore
    • Classifieds
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • E-editions
    • Contact Us
    • Services
      • About Us
      • List of Locations
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor

Hartselle Enquirer
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Obits
  • Opinion
  • Public Records
  • Madison County Record
  • Madison Living Magazine
  • Classifieds
  • Public Notices
  • Contact Us
  • Services
  • About Us
  • List of Locations
  • Subscribe
  • Policies
  • Terms of use
  • Submit a News Tip
  • Submit a Photo
  • Birth Announcement
  • Engagement Announcement
  • Wedding Announcement
  • Submit a Classified Ad
  • Letter to the Editor
    Hartselle Enquirer
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Schools
      • Opinion
      • Events
      • Lifestyles
      • Business
      • Records
      • Special Sections
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Schools
      • Opinion
      • Events
      • Lifestyles
      • Business
      • Records
      • Special Sections
    Harvest, Huntsville, Madison, Madison County Record, Monrovia, News, Z - News Main
     By  GreggParker Published 
    4:27 pm Monday, July 1, 2019

    Zelenka serves with U.S. Navy Helicopter Squadron

    NORFOLK, Va. – Huntsville native Payden Zelenka is serving in the U.S. Navy with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two (HSC-2) at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

    Petty Officer 2nd Class Zelenka is a 2010 Grissom High School graduate. He serves as a Navy hospital corpsman with the Fleet Angels, a versatile squadron capable of completing a number of important missions for the Navy with the MH-60S ‘Knighthawk’ helicopter.

    A Navy hospital corpsman like Zelenka is responsible for taking part in the training to work as a search and rescue corpsman.

    Zelenka credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Huntsville. “Huntsville is a really big Army military town. It undoubtedly influenced my decision to go Navy,” Zelenka said. “I always knew the military was something I wanted to do.”

    HSC-2 trains more than 1,500 pilots, aircrewmen and aviation students annually. Squadron members train those who will fly and maintain the MH-60S helicopter in missions for fleet logistics support, medical evacuation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

    When flying the Knighthawk helicopter, Fleet Angels members search for surface ships, support special operations forces, conduct combat search-and-rescue missions and perform other military operations around the world.

    Zelenka has earned three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, along with a Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for providing medical coverage during the Navy’s special boot camp for children.

    “For my first achievement medal, I provided a critical care plan for patients at Naval Medical Center San Diego,” Zelenka said.

    Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition for Zelenka, who has military ties with relatives who previously served. “My grandfather was an ordnance officer in the Army, and my grandmother was an Army officer, too. A great-grandfather was in the Navy, also,” Zelenka said.

    “Serving in the Navy is about being selfless and putting yourself out there,” Zelenka said. “I do it to help fellow shipmates. Leadership and growing professionally every day are important here, too.”

    The Navy Office of Community Outreach or NAVCO produced this feature article and photographs. Employees in the outreach office travel the globe to collect and distribute photos to their hometown media.

    Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tom Gagnier documented Zelenka’s work.

    The Media Outreach Department with the Navy Office of Community Outreach is located in Millington, Tenn. For more information, visit outreach.navy.mil, Facebook/Navy Outreach, Twitter @NavyOutreach or Instagram @US_Navy_Outreach.

    Also on The Madison Record
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Madison County Record, News, Sports, ...
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Bob Labbe 
    July 2, 2025
    Editor’s note: Former Major League Baseball superstar Jose Canseco spoke exclusively with Bob Labbe of the Madison Record about the former All-Star’s ...
    Madison Stake of LDS Church hosted Make Music Huntsville
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Madison Stake of LDS Church hosted Make Music Huntsville
    Gregg Parker 
    July 2, 2025
    MADISON – “Make Music Huntsville 2025” offered a full day of live music, worship and community connection. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day S...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Heidi Clemons feels ‘out of this world’ as Midtown’s Teacher of the Year
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Heidi Clemons feels ‘out of this world’ as Midtown’s Teacher of the Year
    Gregg Parker 
    July 2, 2025
    MADISON – When Heidi Clemons hears a student say, “That was so fun, Senora Clemons!,” she knows all her planning for that lesson paid off. She is “Tea...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Madison Elementary picks Beth Massey as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
    Madison Elementary picks Beth Massey as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    Gregg Parker 
    July 2, 2025
    MADISON – When Beth Massey started working for Madison City Schools in 2019, she immediately felt at home. Massey is “Teacher of the Year” at Madison ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    As ‘Mrs. Alabama America,’ Brianna Sistrunk focuses on national title
    Bob Jones High School, Living, Madison, ...
    2025 Mrs. Alabama America
    As ‘Mrs. Alabama America,’ Brianna Sistrunk focuses on national title
    As ‘Mrs. Alabama America,’ Brianna Sistrunk focuses on national title
    Gregg Parker 
    July 2, 2025
    MADISON - Brianna Sistrunk of Madison has been crowned 2025 Mrs. Alabama America and soon will compete at the national level. The Mrs. Alabama America...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Journey Middle agrees on Chelsea Young as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Journey Middle agrees on Chelsea Young as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    Gregg Parker 
    June 25, 2025
    MADISON – When Chelsea Young moved to Madison in 2016, Madison City Schools held “a reputation for academic excellence and for one of the best distric...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Columbia recognizes Annabel Richter as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Columbia recognizes Annabel Richter as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    Gregg Parker 
    June 25, 2025
    MADISON – Annabel Richter’s work can confirm that a student has a solid path to a well-rounded education. Columbia Elementary School’s faculty and sta...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    ‘Because of Jesus’ summer camp nurtures 130 youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Summer camp
    ‘Because of Jesus’ summer camp nurtures 130 youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
    Gregg Parker 
    June 25, 2025
    MADISON - A local church’s special event connected on a personal level with 130-plus children who celebrated faith and friendship. Starting summer in ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    ❮ ❯
    Get Legals or Public Notices Published
    Latest Local News
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Editor’s note: Former Major League Baseball superstar Jose Canseco spoke exclusively with Bob Labbe of the Madison Record about the former All-Star’s ...
    July 2, 2025
    Madison Stake of LDS Church hosted Make Music Huntsville
    Madison Stake of LDS Church hosted Make Music Huntsville
    MADISON – “Make Music Huntsville 2025” offered a full day of live music, worship and community connection. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day S...
    July 2, 2025
    Heidi Clemons feels ‘out of this world’ as Midtown’s Teacher of the Year
    Heidi Clemons feels ‘out of this world’ as Midtown’s Teacher of the Year
    MADISON – When Heidi Clemons hears a student say, “That was so fun, Senora Clemons!,” she knows all her planning for that lesson paid off. She is “Tea...
    July 2, 2025
    Madison Elementary picks Beth Massey as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    Madison Elementary picks Beth Massey as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    MADISON – When Beth Massey started working for Madison City Schools in 2019, she immediately felt at home. Massey is “Teacher of the Year” at Madison ...
    July 2, 2025
    As ‘Mrs. Alabama America,’ Brianna Sistrunk focuses on national title
    As ‘Mrs. Alabama America,’ Brianna Sistrunk focuses on national title
    MADISON - Brianna Sistrunk of Madison has been crowned 2025 Mrs. Alabama America and soon will compete at the national level. The Mrs. Alabama America...
    July 2, 2025

    More Local News

    Our Latest E-edition
    Read the most recent edition
    Latest Stories
    Little Booths Market Day to premiere for young retailers
    Little Booths Market Day to premiere for young retailers
    MADISON – A special event for young, aspiring entrepreneurs and vendors will debut with Little Booths Market Day on July 12. Little Booths Market Day ...
    June 25, 2025
    TARCOG asks for input on services that benefit senior citizens
    TARCOG asks for input on services that benefit senior citizens
    HUNTSVILLE - Top of Alabama Regional Council of Government or TARCOG wants your input. Affiliated with TARCOG, the Area Agency on Aging is conducting ...
    June 25, 2025
    Heart of the Valley YMCA hires Rob Gray as president
    Heart of the Valley YMCA hires Rob Gray as president
    By GREGG PARKER MADISON COUNTY -- Heart of the Valley YMCA has appointed a new president to lead the organization. Rob Gray has accepted the position ...
    June 25, 2025
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    MADISON- The Rocket City Trash Pandas has made a series of player moves including Mitch Daly. The Bob Jones High graduate and only local player to sui...
    June 18, 2025
    School leaders urge parents for feedback about rezoning
    School leaders urge parents for feedback about rezoning
    MADISON – With their continuous honors, Madison City Schools students have proven their mastery of the ‘three Rs – Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic.’ H...
    June 18, 2025
    poll
    Latest Sports
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Editor’s note: Former Major League Baseball superstar Jose Canseco spoke exclusively with Bob Labbe of the Madison Record about the former All-Star’s ...
    July 2, 2025
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    MADISON- The Rocket City Trash Pandas has made a series of player moves including Mitch Daly. The Bob Jones High graduate and only local player to sui...
    June 18, 2025
    Daly returns home to play for Trash Pandas
    Daly returns home to play for Trash Pandas
    MADISON - Since birth, Mitch Daly has always been on the move as his father, Ed, is a four-star general in the U.S. Army causing him to pack up his wi...
    May 26, 2025
    Thousands expected for Memorial Day’s Cotton Row Run
    Thousands expected for Memorial Day’s Cotton Row Run
    HUNTSVILLE - The Cotton Row Run is a community event. The annual Memorial Day extravaganza, held in downtown Huntsville, again this year will attract ...
    May 20, 2025
    Madison Academy girls surge into soccer finals
    Madison Academy girls surge into soccer finals
    HUNTSVILLE – Madison Academy entered the state soccer tournament scoreless in three previous games at John Hunt Park, including against Donoho last se...
    May 9, 2025

    More Sports Stories

    x

    Sections

    • Home
    • News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Lifestyles
    • Obits
    • Business
    • Sponsored Content
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Opinion
      • Lifestyles
      • Obits
      • Business
      • Sponsored Content

    Other Publications

    Madison Living Logo Living 50 Plus Logo

    Services

    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise With Us
    • Policies
    • Terms of use
    • Submit a news tip
    • Submit a photo
    • Birth announcement
    • Birthday announcement
    • Engagement announcement
    • Wedding announcement
    • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Advertise With Us
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter

    Follow Us

    Copyright

    © , The Madison Record