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Sgt. hits slopes after 7-year hiatus

Post Independent/April E. Clark Sgt. Steve Gaylord sits with his 19-month-old daughter, Kammi, 5-year-old daughter, Kira, and wife, Bridgette, before heading up to the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. He and his family are in town as part of the Operation Vacation program for military veterans.
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Operation Vacation is a program that brings military personnel who have fought overseas to the Roaring Fork Valley. Bob Johnson, a realtor for Vicki Lee Green Realtors, in Glenwood Springs, coordinated with the Army to create the program that is hosting six soldiers over a six-month period to Glenwood. More than 20 businesses have donated dinners, entertainment, outdoor activities, lodging and transportation for Operation Vacation participants.Name: Sgt. Steve Gaylord

Age: 26Branch of the military and division: Army 10th Special ForcesFamily: Wife, Bridgette, who is 5 1/2 months pregnant, 5-year-old daughter, Kira, and 19-month-old daughter, Kammi

When and why did you join the Army?: March 1999. I joined for a lot of reasons, but ultimately I wanted to get out of the small town where I was from and see the world. I’ve had the opportunity to travel the world.Where have you been deployed?: Central and South America, and Iraq twiceWhen you were being deployed, what did you miss most about home?: Definitely my wife and daughters. I craved weird things, for some reason, in Iraq. I’d eat sardines on saltine crackers anything salty.



What’s your favorite food?: Sushi it’s a family favorite. What do you like to do in your free time?: We do a lot of camping as a family. I like to ski, but today will be the first time I’ve skied in seven years. I was on the high school ski team where I grew up in South Lake Tahoe.What historical figure do you most admire?: Probably my grandfather, just the way he raised his family. He was an entrepreneur and someone who took chances in his life. He was successful, but he also learned from his mistakes. What are you looking forward to doing while in Glenwood Springs?: Skiing at (Sunlight) and spending time with my family. The whole family has been looking so forward to this vacation. It’s a very unexpected, special treat. We rarely get the chance to get away for more than a day. You don’t know just how much the family needs this. You don’t see hospitality like this toward soldiers that often it’s a great Christmas present from Glenwood Springs.


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