VHV
By: Pfc. Brandy M. Mort, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
[caption id="attachment_4987" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Retirees of Joint Forces Headquarters, Kentucky National Guard, stand at attention for the entrance of the official party during a retirement ceremony Jan. 8, at the Boone National Guard Center, Frankfort, Ky. Seven Guardsmen, with more than 100 years combined service between them, along with their Families were honored at the event. (U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. Brandy Mort, 133rd MPAD, Kentucky Army National Guard)"]
FRANKFORT, Ky.(Jan. 13, 2011) – The Joint Forces Headquarters of the Kentucky Army National Guard formally recognized seven Soldiers during a retirement ceremony Jan. 9, at the Maj. Gen. Billy J. Wellman Armory in Frankfort, Ky.
The retirees had a combined service spanning more than 100 years. They include:
- Col. Phillip K. Miller
- Capt. Thomas W. Kaldy
- Chief Warrant Officer 3 Nancy L. Christiano
- Sgt. Maj. Paul A. Hanley
- Master Sgt. Charles R. Barnes
- Master Sgt. John K. Geisler
- Sgt. 1
st Class David E. Anderson
Miller, the highest ranking retiree, served more than 40 years in the Kentucky National Guard, and shared his many experiences following the ceremony.
“My favorite thing over the years was working with the Soldiers,” Miller said. “I was enlisted for 16 years before I became an officer.
“Also traveling and getting to meet people, my public affairs job certainly ensured that I got to do that,” he said. “When I was a commander of the Public Affairs Detachment, we traveled to 22 different countries in the 10 years I was there.
[caption id="attachment_4988" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Retired Col. Phillip K. Miller, former public affairs officer and chief of staff for the Kentucky National Guard holds his granddaughter Anna following a retirement ceremony at the Boone National Guard Center Jan. 9. Miller retired from the Kentucky National Guard after more than 40 years of military service. He said he will miss spending time with the Soldiers, but cherishes more time with his grandchildren. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Brandy Mort, 133rd MPAD, Kentucky National Guard)"]
“What I’ll miss the most is getting to be with Servicemembers every day,” said Miller. “If I could plan a perfect retirement job, it would be to find a way to be able to continue that relationship working with the people who serve the people of the United States of America and Kentucky.”
Barnes also served more than 40 years in the Kentucky National Guard. Barnes said he really liked the work education that he received over the years, and plans to start a new career driving a school bus for his county.
Christiano said helping Soldiers as a personnel services warrant officer was her favorite memory from the Kentucky National Guard, and that her experiences while employed with the personnel services branch prepared her for her current position.
“I am now a Department of the Army employee working at the Human Resource Command at Fort Knox,” she said.
The annual tradition of honoring retirees is just as much for the Soldier as it is the Family members.
While each Soldier was presented an American flag and a plaque that recognized the number of years they served, spouses and children were also acknowledged for their dedication to the Kentucky Guard during their Soldier’s career.