Home to the Fastest Man in the Air!
Hazen is home to Major General Eldon W. Joersz, who officially became the fastest man in the world when he flew his US Air Force Blackbird plane at an astonishing 3,529.56km/h (2,194 mph) on July 28th, 1976. A record that still stands today! Major General Eldon W. Joersz, USAF (retired in 1997) graduated from Hazen High School in 1962 and went on to North Dakota State University receiving a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and an Air Force commission from the North Dakota State University Reserve Officer Training Corps. Eldon completed his pilot training at the Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas.
Joersz flew 158 combat missions over North Vietnam and Laos, served as a T-38 Talon instructor pilot, but his most impressive duty was on July 28th, 1976, when he strapped into the legendary SR-71 Lockheed Blackbird, along with reconnaissance systems officer George Morgan, and flew south to the airspace above Edwards Air Force Base, California cruising faster than a single bullet at over 80,000 feet in the air. Joersz set the world's absolute speed record of 2,193.167 miles per hour over a 15/25-kilometer straight course!
Joersz's extraordinary achievements are due to his leadership philosophies of "Always do the right thing" and "Tell the truth-no matter what." Philosophies that were instilled in Joersz at an early age in Hazen. He is an icon to the City of Hazen! A display is proudly showcased by the Hazen High School gymnasium reflecting his life. The airport located in Hazen is named the Al Joersz Field. The Hazen Convention Visitors Bureau Board of Directors are eagerly working on implementing a metal structure of the SR-71 Blackbird that would be a point of interest to the City of Hazen, Mercer County, and the State of North Dakota.
Home to 2024 ACM New Duo of the Year, Tigirlily Gold!
Sister duo Tigirlily Gold, from Hazen, North Dakota have been playing music together since they could walk, and officially formed their band in high school. Growing up, they crisscrossed the mid-west, growing a fierce fan base and selling out amphitheaters across their home-state of North Dakota. After moving to Nashville, they landed a weekly residence at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row on Nashville’s famed lower Broadway. Playing four-hour sets, three to four nights a week, the sisters developed a performance style that’s not only captivating and fun but shows just how much entertaining is in their blood.
After releasing their original song “Somebody Does,” in 2021, the track topped the iTunes chart and Tigirlily Gold was signed to Monument Records. They released their self-titled, debut EP in July 2021, working with multi-Grammy Award Winner Shane McAnally, and hit the road with artists Walker Hayes and Ashley McBryde.
Now, the powerhouse duo has embarked on a new musical chapter with their latest EP, Blonde – a deeply personal record that includes poignant tales of love and loss alongside powerful anthems and songs of female empowerment. The first release off the EP, “Shoot Tequila,” came out in January 2024 and has already found viral success with over 50 million views on the song across social media. Ready to bring girl group energy back to country music, Tigirlily Gold is poised for a breakout year. In April 2024, they were nominated in two catagories for the CMT Awards! On May 15th, 2024, Tigirlily Gold was announced as the ACM, Acadamy of Country Music New Duo or Group of the Year winners. The talented duo performed live during the ACM show, their first major award show performance. Simply amazing! Hazen and North Dakota proud!
