Hometown Heroes: Local military on duty during holidays

The Citizen is recognizing our local military men and women serving our country away from home during the holiday season by publishing their names, photos, and some information on each of them. Contact The Citizen at 248-627-4332 or citnews@citnewspaper.com.
Army PFC James L. Karner, 24, a 2007 Brandon High School graduate, is currently serving in Afghanistan following his deployment on Nov. 3, 2013. After completing basic training at Fort Benning, Ga.., Karner is with the 2-87 Infantry Regiment as part of the 10th Mountain Division, task force Catamounts. He had been stationed at Fort Drum, NY.
‘This is the first Christmas without our son at home,’said his mother, Kathleen. ‘My hope is he can call or Skype on Christmas. I know he misses candy and his girlfriend. Hopefully he misses his mother and father, too.?
Karner is part of 2,000 troops that are replacing 8,000 in Afghanistan during military scale down operations. James is the son of Kathleen and James and brother of Dylan, all of Brandon Township.