Sun staff
Clermont County commissioners recognized three servicemen during their Sept. 12 meeting.
Sgt. Eric LaDow of the Ohio National Guard, Cpl. Jacob Wilson of the United States Marine Corps and Sgt. Robert Brinkman of the Ohio National Guard were honored and thanked for their service.
The three men received a certificate of appreciation from commissioners as well as recognition from several other individuals and organizations during the Sept. 12 meeting.
“It was an honor and a privilege,” Cpl. Jacob Wilson said about being recognized at the meeting. “It was nice to see the county come together to show support for local military men and women.”
Wilson, a Clermont Northeastern graduate, returned from his second deployment, which he spent in Afghanistan. Wilson received the Purple Heart after he was injured in an IED explosion during his first deployment to Afghanistan in 2010.
Wilson said it was nice to get back home to Ohio, and he is now looking forward to marrying his fiance, Chelsea Carter in October.
Sgt. Robert Brinkman also returned from Afghanistan, which was his second deployment.
The Milford graduate and Milford firefighter said before he left for Afghanistan that serving in the military is something he always wanted to do.
He said during his deployment he was part of a team that protected ambassadors, colonels and other VIP personnel.
Sgt. Eric LaDow of the Ohio National Guard, a graduate of Louisiana State University, moved around to several locations in Afghanistan and served as a medic.
LaDow said during his deployment he spent time working with surgical teams and also helping to train Afghan medical personnel.
He thanked commissioners for having him out and said it is good to be back home after his deployment.
“It’s good seeing the support,” LaDow said. “It definitely makes coming home a little easier and it makes going over there a little easier because you know people appreciate what you’re doing.”
Mark Coyle, with the Clermont County Veterans Service Commission, thanked the servicemen and presented them with a gift certificates from Texas Roadhouse.
Clermont County Sheriff “A.J.” Tim Rodenberg presented the men with a certificate and a challenge coin.
Tracy Braden, with The Thank You Foundation also presented the servicemen with a certificate of appreciation.
Sherri Carbo, with Governor John Kasich’s office, presented the men with a congressional proclamation from the governor and lieutenant governor.
Connie Laug, on behalf of Senator Rob Portman presented an American flag to each of the servicemen and Gertrud Whitaker, on behalf of congresswoman Jean Schmidt, presented the men with a congressional proclamation.
Charley Frank, executive director of the Cincinnati Reds Community Fund, also attended the meeting and presented the servicemen with Cincinnati Reds baseball caps, Jay Bruce battalion hats and tickets to a Cincinnati Reds game.