Home from Afghanistan for Veterans Day. That means I get to see first-hand the pride Americans have for those who serve. For the soldiers far from home, I’m proud to join my co-workers at COUNTRY Financial and the IAA Family of Companies in Operation Salute Our Soldiers.
We’re collecting well wishes and sharing them with soldiers including this thank you video from our employees at our Veterans Day ceremonies.
I also encourage you to leave a comment below as a thank you to the men and women serving this country. Think about what you would want to say to a soldier as I paint a picture of what life was like for me last year in Afghanistan.
[Editor's Note: Kelly Kilhoffer is a Database Administration Specialist at COUNTRY Financial and lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.]
Excerpts from my Facebook journal:
Nov. 16, 2010
“I have finally arrived in the middle of nowhere in Afghanistan. It is very beautiful here if you like various shades of brown and tan. The dust here is amazing.”
Nov. 17, 2010
“Sitting in the ‘Mess Tent’ where we eat all our meals watching mice scurry about eating all the crumbs the soldiers dropped.”
Nov. 18, 2010
“My first patrol in a combat zone. We walked single file, spaced many meters apart so a single IED (Improvised Explosive Device or roadside bomb) would injure fewer people.”
Nov. 25, 2010
“I took a long, hot shower – my first in 7 days. Went to the chow hall to enjoy my Thanksgiving Dinner – only to discover I had missed Thanksgiving Lunch so no turkey for me. Oh well.”
Dec. 20, 2010
“Went to my second Ramp Ceremony last night. The Ramp Ceremony involves a Fallen Soldier in a casket with the flag of his country draped over it. Troops line up along the left and right side of the casket path as guys carry it onto an airplane. I wish there would never be another Ramp Ceremony.”
Dec. 26, 2010
“Well, my Christmas was what most Christmases in combat zones are – craptastic.”
Feb. 14, 2011
“Happy Valentine’s Day to my amazing wife! I love you very much!”
April 13, 2011
“Moving about the battlefield. My backpack is extra full. Plus, I have a duffle bag full of Girl Scout cookies. No showers, no running water, no internet, I figure our base could use some Girl Scout cookie love.”
August 23, 2011
“We are wrapping up paperwork and coordinating our travel to Kuwait and America. This tour is just about over…for me.”
I stayed connected with my family and friends back home through my Facebook journal. A soldier seeing your well wishes can enjoy a similar connection to home.
In addition to leaving a comment below, share this post with your friends and family in the military so they know how much they’re appreciated.
Thank you for your service, Col. Kilhoffer! It’s an honor to work with you.
Happy Veterans Day to ALL those who serve today and have served in the past. I salute you!
Kelly – Thank you for giving us a glimpse into your deployment. As usual you are able to keep your sense of humor and wit even in not the best of circumstances. Thank you so much for serving our country and congrats on your promotion. Looking forward to hearing you speak on Friday.
Kelly, our prayers were answered by your safe return to us. We honor you and congratulations on your promotion! Thank you for serving the United States of America.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice, I am thankful you made it home safely and greatly appreciate what you did on our behalf. Also, congratulations on your promotion!
Col. Kilhoffer demonstrates the unbelievable commitment by the men and women who wear the military uniform.
Thank you and all veterans past and present for your service!
Welcome home Kelly! So thankful for your safe return. Thank you for your many years of service to our country…your sacrifices (and your family’s) are greatly appreciated. Looking forward to seeing you at the ceremony Friday.
Happy Veterans Day and a heartfelt THANK YOU to all Veterans!!
Thank you for your service to our country, Kelly. Reading about how you lacked the things I normally take for granted reminded me how fortunate I am. Happy Veterans Day to all who have served or continue to serve our country in the armed forces.
To newly promoted Kelly, I am sure it has been a long 15 months in Afghanistan working with your American and Canadian counterparts. I am looking forward to your comments on Friday. A big “Thank You” for your several deployments and especially for this most recent one. Your tremendous sense of humor must have been a great distraction for you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your continued service to the U.S. and to the Afghan people. And of course, “welcome home”.
Thank you for your service, Kelly, and thanks to all those veterans out there!
Thank you for your service to our country Kelly. We get to enjoy freedom because people like yourself are willing to put their lives on hold and serve overseas. I’m proud to know you, proud to work for an organization that supports its employees in the military and proud to be an American today. Thank you all veterans.
Thank you Kelly for your Views of Afghanistan. I am grateful for your service to our country.
A big heartfelt Thank You to all of the past, present and future soldiers who have served to give us our freedom! May America stand strong and proud.
I like to say on behalf of my work Family and my Church Family we thank “God” for your service and save return. Also, we like to thank all the men and women who gave of there life to serve our Country. We say to every one of you “JOB WELL DONE”! And may “GOD” continue to keep each of you’ ll safe as you contine to service our Country. Have a wonderful Holiday Seasons!
WELCOME HOME!! Thank you for serving our great country and for putting your life on the line so my family and I can have so many opportunities and blessings. You are greatly appreciated by this family.
Thank you to our veterans and active duty military personnel for your service and sacrifice. We tend to take the freedom that we enjoy in this great country so for granted, but we must never forget that freedom is not free, and we all owe a great debt to our military past and present. Thank you and God bless you.
Kelly and all servicemen and women across the globe – thank you for the personal sacrifices you make for our freedom and liberty. God bless.
Kelly – you have a genuine way as a gentle reminder for all to keep life in perspective. Thank you for your service. Welcome back Home!
Thanks for your service! I know the sacrifices you and your family go through when you are deployed. Our country is a safer place because of you and your fellow soldiers.
Thank you for your service sir! The freedom I enjoy here only exists because if your sacrifice and willingness to server a greater cause. There is no greater duty than the one you have done. Thanks are not enough!
Thanks for sharing this with us. It helps put what we do here in proper perspective compared to the risks and sacrifices that our service men and women face everyday. Thanks to all of you who are serving and have served. God bless you all!
Thank you Kelly for the service you and so many others provide. I’m humbled by your stories and feel blessed to know we have others like you protecting our freedoms.
Thank you for serving and protecting our country, Kelly! Thank you to all of the men and women who serve to protect our rights and keep us safe.
Kelly, as a COUNTRY retiree, I thank you for your service.
I was always proud to work at COUNTRY, but especially so as we honored our troops on Veteran’s Day. I’ll miss being at the celebration, but will be there in spirit.
And, Kent, thank you for the way you’ve always been a face of the military to COUNTRY and a face of COUNTRY to our servicemen and women. You do it so well.
Welcome home Kelly. And a big thanks to you and all the other men and women who serve our country. We appreciate all you do.
A special Thank You to all of the service members serving in all the different theaters over seas and to those who have returned home and are continuing to serve.
Let us not forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice and laid down their lives for our country. My thanks goes beyond what I can express in words and my deepest sympathies go out to the families of those we lost.
Have a wonderful Veterans Day to all those who served. We will NEVER forget.
Kelly – Thank you and your family for your service to this great nation. God Bless you and all our service men and women who have served and kept us safe.
Thank you all for your service to protect and defend our country. My husband is retired Air Force and my son served 4 years in the Navy. The strength and dedication you all exhibit is amazing. Being away from family and friends is just one of the hardships your bear. We are blessed to have people like you keeping us safe at home. May God Bless and protect all of our heros who sacrafice for us back home.
Welcome home Kelly. Your way of describing it was perfect… Different shades of brown and tan…
Thank you for your continued service to our great country and glad that you made it home safe.
Thank you to all servicemen & women for your service and sacrifice. Kelly, thank you for giving us a glimpse into the life of a solider. God Bless the USA and all those who serve to protect our freedoms!
Thank you Kelly and all the service men and women for all that you do to protect my family and I. God Bless!
My thoughts and prayers go out to Kelly, our other COUNTRY military personnel and all those that serve. May you be safe and return home to your loved ones.
Thank you for your service to our country and for sharing these journal entries!
Sir,
I want to thank you for still carrying the torch of freedom where I and others of your brothers and sisters in arms could not. Thank you for sharing with everyone your Facebook log so everyone else can get a mental picture of what it means to serve our great country in a combat zone.
Very respectfully,
Matt Shone
SFC Army Retired
I am proud of you and your service to our country. I feel a little safer knowing that you and other military personnel are willing to put themselves into harms way for our country. I am so happy that you have made it back safely once again.
Thanks, Kelly for your dedication to our country. Happy Veterans Day to
all those at home an abroad!
Thank you to all those that are serving and have served to protect our freedom. Thank you Kelly for sharing some of your story with us as you served and represented this great country. God Bless all of you and God Bless the USA!
Welcome home, Kelly! Glad to have you back. Reading your posts made me feel thankful to have men and women like you protecting our freedom. Thank you.
Welcome home and Thank You. I know your family was excited to have you back and proud of you as we all are. My son was there last year. He made it home two weeks before Christmas. Best present I ever had. Once again Thanks to All of You!
Thank you so much for your service to our country. It is great to have a day to honor you “Veterans Day” My prayers are with each one willing to give us freedom.
Kelly,
Welcome home. I am grateful to you and all the veterans, military personnel, and their families who unselfishly work to promote our liberty. Words can not express our appreciation for your dedication and sacrifice. You make COUNTRY and the IAA family of companies proud. Thank you.
Thanks Kelly for your Service and committment! Great Speech!!
From the bottom of my heart…thank you Kelly and all the veterans who came before and who will come after you.
Thanks for sharing just a little of your day-to-day experience, Kelly. And thanks to all those who serve for putting your lives on hold and on the line for the simple things we value and often take for granted.
Stay safe, and we’ll see you home soon.
Kelly – your speech was fantastic, but your willingness and passion to serve our country is simply outstanding.
We’re all very proud of you. Thank you so much for everything you do.
Happy Veteran’s Day!
Words cannot express the gratitude my family and I feel for you and all of our brave men and women who serve unselfishly and with courage to keep our Country free and safe.
You are heroes of the highest order.
Thank you and God bless!
Freedom is never free! Thank You to Kelly and all the men and women that have served or are still serving today that are protecting our freedom! God Bless each and everyone of you!!!!
We are so blessed to have caring men and women willing to put their lives on the line for the freedoms we all enjoy. On this Veterans Day, and every day, a heartfelt “THANK YOU!” for all you do.
There’s always been honor with serving in our military. Thank goodness Americans now recognize that a little better than they did in 1973 when I got back. Welcome back, Kelly. Hooah!
Kelly, Every year I appreciate this great country more and more, and you and the others who serve to keep it free are the best! You and your families are the ones who make America what it is. God bless all of you! Thank you and welcome home.
Thank you Kelly for the glimpse into the life of someone who protects our freedom. And may God bless and keep safe all those who serve our country so that we may enjoy peace.
Thanks for sharing your story today, Kelly! I was standing by your wife during the ceremony and watching how much love she has for you just made me tear up! Thank you for putting the safety of our country before your everyday comforts and family. Happy Veteran’s Day! Glad you’re home!
Thank you for putting your life on hold to protect the U.S. and thank you for sharing your story today. We appreciate you more than words can say! Happy Veteran’s Day!
Thank you for your sacrifice so that all US citizens can experience freedom. I am deeply grateful to you -
Thank you for all you do to help us maintain our freedoms!
Thank you for your service, Kelly, not just today, but every day.
Thanks Kelly. It takes a special person to put their life on the line for their country
Thank you so very much. My Dad is a vet from WWII and Korea, my husband is a vet from Vietnam. We appreciate your sacrifices. Job well done!
Thank you always.
Words are not enough, but THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU and THANK YOU to your family as well!!!
Kelly, well done this morning. Thank you for your service, your sacrifices and your bravery. We are fortunate to live in a country where our best and brighest are willing to volunteer to help ensure that the blessings and liberties that we have in the United States continue.
Joe Painter
I know it’s not much but THANK YOU Kelly. It’s because of men and women like you that we can enjoy the freedoms we have here in the United States. Thanks for sharing your story with us today. THANK YOU SO MUCH for protecting us!
Thanks for all you do! Your sacrifices are appreciated. May God bless you!
Thanks Kelly! Great Blog to get the real impacts of your service and all men in the services for everything they sacrifice fo ALL of us. Thanks for what you do at Country too!
As the mother of a soldier, my heart swells with pride every time I see someone in uniform. I travel a lot and always seem to see soldiers in the airport going somewhere. Be sure to thank them for their service when you see them. God bless and keep our military safe!
Thank you so much for your sacrifices and service. Your ability to give without hesitation humbles me and makes me proud to support you all without hesitation. May God Bless you and the millions of lives you touch, defend and change every day. <3
Kelly, we are glad to have you back safe and sound. I have two sons in the Army and have been to Iraq and Afghanistan. My oldest son is set to deploy for his third tour to Afganistan in the spring of 2012. I am proud of my sons and all the men and women that serve our country with honor. I salute you and those who have served in the past or who have died in service. We appreciate the sacrifice you have made.
Welcome home Kelly; happy that you are safe and sound! Thank you for all the sacrifices you’ve made time and time again (4 deployments).
You are a true hero!
Thank you and God bless!
Thank you to all the brave men and women who serve our nation!
Thank you to all our service men & women for your dedication, service and sacrifice. You are appreciated everyday, but a special shout out to each of you on this 11-11-11 Veteran’s Day!
Thank you today and always for your dedicated service for the cause of freedom for all. We appreciate all the efforts of all the men and women who give of themselves so willingly.
Kelly Thanks from one vet to another our country owes you a big debt of gradatude for your sacafice for all Americans. Enjoy your well earned family time
Kelly,
Welcome home! I am very thankful for you, along with all of our military men and women and veterans, for your great service to our country. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for all of us. God Bless!
Kelly-thank you for your dedication and service to our Country. It is men and women like yourself that keep this Country free and safe. Your dedication and attitude is an inspiration.
Thank you and God Bless you and all our soldiers!
Those of us in safety would like to extend our deepest appreciation and gratitude to all members of the armed services who are currently serving all over the world and especially in the combat zones of Afghanistan and Iraq. To those men and women who have already served their country and left part of themselves behind, your fellow countrymen can never repay you for that which you have lost and for those who gave everything, may their loved ones find comfort in knowing we live in a FREE country due largerly in part to those who have served and continue to serve on our behalf so we can remain free. Thank you to you and your families on this day and everyday for your sacrifices.
Kelly – I was very touched by your story at the ceremony this morning and I am glad that you are safe at home now.
Thank you to you and all men and women in uniform who keep our great country safe so that we can all enjoy the freedoms that we have.
Thanks so much to you and all the soldiers past and present for keeping America free.
Thank you to those who serve or who have served. You make it possible for the rest of us to feel safe and secure. Also, a big thank you to the families of veterans who take care of the duties at home while their loved ones are in harm’s way. We can never repay you for the sacrifices you’ve made.
Dear Kelly,
With deep appreciation, respect and admiration we thank you for your service to our great nation.
Thank you for sharing some of your journey with all of us.
Kelly,
I really enjoyed your speech today. It was full of the descriptive elements of your daily life in Afganistan and people native to Afganistan. I can’t imagine what it’s like to live with war day in and day out. I’m so glad you were able to come home and share your experiences. I’m thankful for people, like yourself, who have what seems like an inner joy and empathy for others. My prayers and hopes are with all of your brothers and sisters still serving. And blessings a thousand times over to those who have and are dedicated to serving with dignity and respect for our country.
Thank you Kelly, and all the other service men and women who give so much to protect our country. I really enjoyed your speech today thank you for sharing some of your experiences with us.
Some how “thank you” hardly seems to be enough to express my gratitude for all you; and others like you, have sacrificed for the many freedoms that I and so many others enjoy. “Thank you”. I lift my glass to all of you.
Thank you doesn’t seem like nearly enough to express my gratitude for those who selflessly lay down their lives to protect our Country. We love you, we respect you and we honor you today!
Greatest thanks to you and all service men and women doing what it takes to make life safer for us at home.
I wish to thank you for the cherished freedoms and security that you and all service men and women faithfully and sacrificially defend on my family’s behalf.
As a US Air Force veteran of over 23 years of service, I know the importance of serving my country first hand. I highly commend you for your dedicated service to this great nation. Thanks for sharing your experience with all of us. Have a blessed day!
Thank you Kelly, for your service. And thanks to all those serving here and abroad who are willing to be in harm’s way for our freedoms and liberties. You are the backbone of this great country. God bless you all.
Thanks to you Kelly Kilhoffer for your service and all that it means to our country. I support you and all the soldiers and their families. May you all stay safe in your jouneys to continue to better our country with our freedoms that you all make possible.
Welcome home Kelly! You are blessed to come home well. We are blessed to have your service along with all those who still serve here and abroad.
During the Vietnam “action” we were not so well honored or welcomed. Honor goes to your families who give so much to allow you to serve us all, as well.
Whenever I travel and see servicemen and women, I thank them because I know what it’s like to serve. I know what it’s like to sacrifice, and I know what it’s like to lose family, friends, and coworkers to the cruelties of war.
May God bless you and every service person who serves our country and serves us in the cause of freedom. May we all be grateful for and give honor to those who are willing and able to serve now and who have served in the past and who will serve in the future!
Well done Kelly and all your comrades in arms. As you politely said, holidays are very difficult when you’re away from loved ones. More than one tear has been shed on holidays and birthdays and when you are so alone and have the crap scared out of you. Someone really has to have been there to know what it’s like. It’s in the past for me but I still feel the hurt for those who have taken my place. God bless them and their families and give them strength.