Happy Veterans Day

On Tuesday, we honor the remarkable men and women who served our great nation in times of war and peace.

Each year, on November 11, we observe Veterans Day to commemorate the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” in 1918, when World War I ended. In 1938, Armistice Day became a national holiday, and in 1954, President Dwight E. Eisenhower officially named it Veterans Day.

Unlike Memorial Day, which honors those who gave their lives defending our country, Veterans Day is a time to thank all U.S. veterans for their service and sacrifice.

Let’s take a moment now to honor our own CHS servicemen and servicewomen.

Keith Christofferson, Facilities Worker at SFCH

What branch did you serve in? I served in Active-Duty Air Force and Active-Duty Army.
How many years did you serve? Air Force was four years, and I served in the Army for eight and a half years.
Did you have a specific job/ assignment? I was a Security/Law Enforcement specialist with the Air Force, spending most of my time on nuclear missile sites. I was a Construction Engineer with the Army. I spent most of my time in North Dakota, Montana and the Aleutian Islands with the Air Force and Colorado, Kentucky, Europe and the Middle East with the Army.
Was there a specific reason why you wanted to join the Service? The reason I joined the Service was to serve my country and see the world.

*Keith received a Bronze Star in Desert Storm.

Onise Civil, RYC at BHCH

Susan Cone, Cook at BHCH

David Goodrich, Facilities Worker at BHCH

What branch did you serve in? I served in the Navy.
How many years did you serve? I served for four years.

Gil Johnson, Director of Business Intelligence and Revenue Cycle at SFCH

What branch did you serve in? I served in the Army.
How many years did you serve? I served eight years.
Did you have a specific job/ assignment? I was a Cavalry Scout-Reconnaissance.
Was there a certain reason why you wanted to join the Service? I was drawn to the military for the financial support for higher education. The fellowship, camaraderie, and lifelong friendships I formed have been the most rewarding aspects of my service.

Freddy Maseman, BH Residential Program Director

What branch did you serve in? I served in the Army National Guard.
How many years did you serve? I served for five years.
Did you have a specific job/ assignment? I drove heavy equipment and built roads and bridges.
Was there a specific reason why you wanted to join the Service? I joined for the college benefits and was interested in learning new skills.

Seth Monteith, RYC at BHCH

Trent Strand, Help Desk Technician at BHCH

What branch did you serve in? I served in the Air Force.
How many years did you serve? I served three years and was then medical boarded out with an honorable discharge.
Did you have a specific job/ assignment? My job was contracting. I was stationed at FE Warren AFB, Cheyenne Wy.
Was there a specific reason why you wanted to join the Service? I joined to follow my father’s footsteps and serve my country. I would have stayed in for 20 plus years if I could have.

Amanda Tilberg, Nurse Home Visitor

What branch did you serve in? I served in the United States Navy.
Did you have a specific job/ assignment? I did aviation management.
Was there a certain reason why you wanted to join the Service? I wanted to join because I’ve always been a person who wanted to make a difference. I also thought it may help lead me to a better future, a fresh start and new adventures.

Steven White, Residential Therapist at BHCH

What branch did you serve in? I served in the Marine Corps.
How many years did you serve? I served four years in active duty and less than one year in active reserve.
Did you have a specific job/ assignment? I was an infantry platoon sergeant with two combat deployments to Sangin, Afghanistan in 2010 and again in 2011-2012.
Was there a specific reason why you wanted to join the Service? I joined because I needed a new change in my life and wanted to grow up. I was initially going to be an aviation mechanic.

*Steven received a Navy Achievement Medal with combat "V" device in Afghanistan.

Brandon Wonnenberg, RYC II at BHCH

Shelby Byington, Cook

What branch did you serve in? I served active duty in the United States Coast Guard.

Isabele Johnson, Residential Youth Counselor

What branch did you serve in? I am a Sargent in the Army National Guard.
How many years did you serve? I’m currently serving and this December will be four years.
Did you have a specific job/ assignment? I’m a 68W—a combat medic—and I’m assigned to a military police company.
Was there a certain reason why you wanted to join the Service? I enlisted to try new things and explore career options. A big factor for me was the military providing me with my EMT certification that I could use on the civilian side.

Rachel Lord, Controller

What branch did you serve in? I served in the Marine Corps.
Did you have a specific job/ assignment? I was an Engineer.
Was there a certain reason why you wanted to join the Service? I joined because of 9/11.