Thank You Veterans

Jeremy Karns

Experience: I did a lot of traveling during my enlistment and spent time in several countries. I lived in everything from a cot on a dirt floor tent to a palace with enormous crystal chandeliers and gold trimmed toilets. I will never forget the places I've been and the people I've met along the way. Even though I may not remember all the names, there are faces and relationships that will be with me forever. I think my definition of what hard work, loyalty, trust, and teamwork means is unique to those who have served. I wouldn't be the person I am today without the time I spent serving my country. 

Oh, and Black Hawk helicopter rides are AWESOME.

Derek Larabee

Branch of Military: U.S. Army 
Dates Served: 2006 - 2011
Stationed: Fort Sill, OK (2006-08), and Fort Richardson, OK [now called Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson] (2008-11)
Unit: 545th MP Company
Deployments: Operation Iraqi Freedom (2009)

Experience: When I graduated high school in 2005, I started college and fell on my face. Up until that point, I never had to try. I wasn't challenged, and didn't need to work hard. Serving in the Army gave me the opportunity to hit the pause button and take some time to grow up before making a lifetime career decision at 18. I grew up a lot in those five years. There is an amazing mix of personalities in the military, so you really do get to meet a sample of the country you serve. The people and experiences test you in ways you could never imagine. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't think of something service related, whether it be a funny joke someone made or an extreme circumstance we found ourselves in.

Kendrick Worthy

Branch of Military: U.S. Army
Dates Served: May 2011 - July 2022
Stationed: Fort Carson, CO, and Camp Jackson, South Korea
Unit: 299 BEB, Wightman NCO Academy
Deployments: Kuwait 2013 OEF

Experience: Retrans operator for company, battalion, and brigade in my first few years. As such, I had the opportunity to be in Light, Heavy and Stryker Brigades during my time on Fort Carson. I got more experience with computers in Korea as an IMO for Eighth Army and as a technician at the NCO Academy. I also worked at the RTO for the TOC during student field exercises and helped maintain student and cadre devices to ensure compliance with any NEC guidance. Kuwait was a good experience; most of our time was spent in partnership training, centered around different radios systems at the time. Less heat would have been nice but I realized back then that it wasn't likely.

Joe Unhammer

• Herat, Afghanistan 2011-12
• Kandahar, Afghanistan 2013-14

Experience: I was a forward observer in the Army, which is sorta like the eyes and ears of artillery and aircraft on the ground. I deployed to western Afghanistan in 2011, for 12 months, earning a Combat Action Badge and a newfound appreciation for showers. After that, I was transferred to the security detail of the 4th Infantry Division's commander and went back to Afghanistan again in 2013 for another 12-month deployment. There are so many moments that seem crazy to me now but were just routine at the time - like driving the US ambassador around Kandahar in land cruisers so he could meet with the local landlords. Overall, I'm glad I did it, but I'm even more glad I'm no longer spending half my time deployed to a warzone. 

Mason Widmer

Branch of Military: U.S. Army National Guard
Dates Served: 2013 - Present
Stationed: Mankato, MN
Unit: HHC 2-135 IN, 34th ID
Deployments: OEF-HOA / Operation Octave Shield

Experience: Graduated Ft. Benning Infantry OSUT in 2013. Currently a Scout Reconnaissance Squad Leader. Graduate of Pathfinder and Air Assault skills courses, specializing in the coordination and security of parachute drop zones and air assault missions. Supported counter-terrorism efforts in Kenya and Somalia, and conducted crisis response throughout the Horn of Africa.