BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - Staff Sgt. Jacob Kelly, a squad leader for the 11B Infantry, received a special visitor prior to ending his second nine-month deployment, his uncle, Senior Chief Petty Officer Ed Shenefield. Ed Shenefield is the son of Jerry S. Shenefield, La Fontaine. Jacob Kelly is the son of Dawn Dennison, Wabash and grandson of Jerry S. Shenefield. Both mother/sister and father/grandfather are extremely proud of their sons' service to our country.
Even though they were assigned to different bases in Afghanistan, Shenefield was able to make the trip from Bagram Air Field to spend some quality time with his nephew. Both uncle and nephew agreed that serving alongside a family member in-theater provided a rare break from regular day-to-day operations most service members don’t get to experience and it also helped to feel connected to the family, especially during the holidays.
Kelly, a 2005 graduate of Southwood High School, returns to Fort Lewis, Wa., his current duty station, where he anxiously will be reunited with his wife, Rachel, son, Landon, and daughters, Faith and Hope. Kelly has another reason to celebrate in addition to returning stateside, he was promoted to staff sergeant on Dec. 1, 2012.
Shenefield, a 1991 graduate of Southwood High School, is more than halfway through a yearlong deployment and will be returning to Virginia Beach, Va. with much to celebrate. His son, Jered, will graduate high school with plans to follow in his father’s footsteps by joining the United States Navy, and he will soon walk his daughter, Brianne, down the aisle on her wedding day. Additionally, Shenefield will be promoted to Chief Warrant Officer on June 1, 2013.
Congratulations and welcome home for two of Wabash County’s Heroes!