Honoring Those Who've Served
Kyle Tjornhom, General Manager
Branch: Army
MOS: 13F - Forward Observer
Rank: E-4
Service: Sept. 2011-Sept. 2015
Unit: B Co. 1-38 Inf. 4-2 SBCT
Deployment: Panjwaii District, Afghanistan
Nov. 2012-July 2013 - OEF
Awards: Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM)
Combat Action Badge (CAB)
Army Good Conduct Medal (AGM)
Army Achievement Medal (AAM)
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Kyle wanted to be a soldier ever since he was a little kid. He watched 9/11 happen in 8th grade. After that serving went from something he wanted to do, to something he had to do. After getting an opportunity to play college football, Kyle joined the Army in Jan 2011 as a 13F - Forward Observer. He attended basic training and AIT at Fort Sill, OK. From there he was stationed at Joint Base Lewis - McChord, WA with 2nd ID - 4th SBCT - 1/38 Infantry. Kyle then deployed to COP Sperwan Ghar, Panjwaii District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. He and his unit were involved in over 100 direct fire engagements and conducted over1700 patrol hours. Upon returning home his brigade was ordered to stand down and case colors. Next, he went to 2-12 FA in Fort Carson CO. In 2015 he was Medically Separated from the Army with an Honorable Discharge from injuries sustained during a firefight outside the village of Dubak during his deployment to Afghanistan.
Eric Shoden, Truck Driver
Branch: Navy
MOS: Aviation Structural Mechanic Airman
Rank: E-3 Airman
Service: Oct. 2000-Oct. 2004
Unit: Strike Fighter Squadron
VF-102 Diamondbacks
VFA-137 Kestrels
Deployment: Sea Time
USS Theodore Roosevelt
Sept. 2001-March 2002 - OEF
Unit set a record of 159 consecutive days at sea
Awards: National Defense Service Medal
Navy Unit Commendation Medal
Navy Good Conduct Medal
Service Deployment Ribbon
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​​Eric joined the Navy because he liked world geography in high school, so he signed up for a free trip around the world. He did his basic training at Great Lakes Naval Warfare Training Center in Chicago, IL. He then went to MOS training at NAS Pensacola, FL. From there his first duty station was NAS Oceana, VA. From there, Eric deployed from September 2001 to March 2002 aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt a Nimitz-class, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. He finished out his enlistment in October 2004 where he returned to Minnesota.
Max Johnson, Concrete Foreman
Branch: Army
MOS: Infantry Mortorman
Rank: E-5
Service: Sept. 2011-Jan. 2016
Unit: 1-11th ACR Alpha Company 1st Infantry Platoon
5th Infantry Division
U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division
Deployment: Korangal Valley, Afghanistan
2013-2014 - OEF
2014-2015 - OEF
Awards: Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM)
Combat Infantrymen's Badge (CIB)
Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM)
Army Achievement Medal (AAM)
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Max joined the army to escape the small town life and to better his life. He watched 9/11 happen in 4th grade and immediately wanted to serve his country. His OSUT training was done at Fort Benning, GA (home of the Infantry). His first duty station was at Fort Irwin, CA conducting training operations for deploying units as an OPFOR (Opposing Forces) partner in counter terrorism operations. His second duty station was at Joint Base Lewis - McChord, WA with 5th Brigade 2nd Infantry Division. in month year he deployed to RC East, Afghanistan where he conducted combat operations in the Korangal Valley. His last duty station was Fort Hood, TX with 1st Cav 7th INF. He deployed again to Afghanistan, this time to Kandahar Province to provide security to ISAF forces during the draw down of combat operations from 2014 to 2015. In 2016 he was Medically Separated from the Army with an Honorable Discharge from injuries sustained from an IED detonations during his 1st and 2nd deployment to Afghanistan.
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