We escort many a state championship team back into Star Valley but it’s rare to be called on to acknowledge an active member of service coming home, even if for a short time to be with family.

This week I was called and was told that Lt. Alex Stephan would be coming back home to Kemmerer and Lincoln County for a short stay with family after serving on the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Strait of Hormuz.

After hearing about all that was going on in the Strait and the extended stay of the assignment, I thought it a small task to make a quick run to Kemmerer to honor someone giving service from Lincoln County.

To those who coordinated the first responder welcome home, well done. It’s important that we not forget the importance of service to our country and have that service acknowledged at the hometown level.