Written by Kimball Hewett, Daxko’s Chief Architect.
As we approach Veterans Day, I’ve taken time to reflect on my own service in the military — and on the many men and women I had the honor of serving alongside.
From a young age, I felt a deep desire to serve in the Army. I was born at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, while my father was stationed there, and that early connection to military life stayed with me. After graduating from New Mexico Military Institute — both a high school and junior college — I served a mission for my church and returned to NMMI to receive my commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. I went on to serve in the Utah Army National Guard for 25 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.
In 2003, the 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) was activated and deployed to Afghanistan for a year. I served as the company commander of Charlie Company. Our very first night in-country, our small base in Asadabad came under rocket attack — something that quickly became a regular occurrence, along with the constant threat of IEDs.
Though it was difficult to be away from home, my soldiers and I took great pride in our mission. As a combat unit, we conducted operations to locate and engage Taliban forces, but we also built strong relationships with the Afghan soldiers we served beside and ran a medical clinic to care for local civilians. When we left Afghanistan, we did so with pride — proud of what we accomplished together, proud to have served our country, and proud to come home safely.
For me, Veterans Day is a time to honor and recognize all who have sacrificed so much in military service. Here at Daxko, we’re fortunate to have many Veterans and family members of Veterans among us. Some have been wounded in service, and others have made the ultimate sacrifice. Their courage and dedication continue to inspire the work we do every day.
This year, Daxko is proud to support ValorFit, a nonprofit that helps Veterans heal both physically and mentally by connecting them with fitness and community through local CrossFit gyms. ValorFit’s mission is simple yet powerful: to use movement and mentorship as a bridge to strength, belonging, and renewal.
Supporting ValorFit reflects Daxko’s own values — our belief in service, community, and country. It’s a reminder that while our uniforms may come off, our commitment to helping others never does.
I’m proud to work for a company that stands behind those who serve and continues to find meaningful ways to give back.
Donate to ValorFit’s mission: https://gofund.me/efec29ae6