Lance Cpl. Tyler Kozloski of the United States Marine Corps poses with Commissioner Bob Proud after returning from his more than 10 month deployment.

Lance Cpl. Tyler Kozloski of the United States Marine Corps poses with Commissioner Bob Proud after returning from his more than 10 month deployment.
Lance Cpl. Tyler Kozloski of the United States Marine Corps returned this month from one of the longest deployments since World War II, and was honored for his service and the Feb. 27 commissioners meeting.

“We were deployed for right around 10 and a half months,” Kozloski said. “We were one week shy of the longest Naval or Marine deployment.”

Kozloski, a 2009 Clermont Northeastern High School graduate, said he joined the Marines because he wanted to serve the country and protect people.

He was sent on his first deployment to the Mediterranean in March of last year to assist with the Libyan crisis.

“After that, we pretty much stayed and made sure they didn’t need help,” Kozloski said.

Kozloski said day-to-day activities while they were there included drills and weapons classes. He said being deployed was a life-changing experience.

Kozloski returned to the United States in February and said coming home almost felt weird because he had been gone so long.

“Going home, it almost felt like you weren’t going to get there,” he said. “Seeing your family is just overwhelming.

Clermont County Commissioners presented Kozloski with a certificate of appreciation and he was also presented with a congressional proclamation from Congresswoman Jean Schmidt’s office, a certificate from The Thank You Foundation and challenge coins from Sheriff Tim Rodenberg and Danny Bare, executive director of Clermont County Veterans’ Service Commission.

“I had no idea that many people back here are that supportive, taking time out of their day to recognize and support us.” Kozloski said about being honored at the session.

Kozloski said it is a great feeling to have support back home, especially on a long deployment.

“That’s what I tell my buddies back home,” Kozloski said about the support he receives. “Clermont County loves the military and they make sure you know it too.”

Kozloski will soon be headed back to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina where he will continue to train. He said he expects he will leave on a second deployment in a year or so.