One of Leitchfield’s own has been selected for induction into the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame.
Carl Kaelin is one of 26 veterans who will be included in the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame 10th induction class next month.
Kaelin, who was a Specialist Five in the U.S. Army’s 244th Aviation Company, served from 1967 until 1970. He was deployed to the Vietnam War in 1968 and 1969.
While he left the Army in 1970 as a sergeant, Kaelin has been a key figure in Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) over the last several decades in both Kentucky and nationally, as he is a past National Chief of Staff of the VFW.
Additionally, in 2012, he was appointed national Inspector General of the VFW of the United States. Kaelin was the first Kentuckian to ever be selected to the position.
The Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame was created in 2010 and is committed to recognition of veterans’ military service and honoring their continued service to the community following their military careers, according to the organization’s website.
The 2024 Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame Gala Dinner will be held on September 6 at 6:00 p.m. at Embassy Suites at 1801 Newtown Pike in Lexington. The induction ceremony will be on September 7 at 10:00 a.m. also at Embassy Suites.
(Photo: Carl Kaelin in 2016, courtesy of social media)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
