MADISON – Kari Childress, a member of Madison American Legion, Post 229, shared her experiences for “Veteran of the Week.”

In 2005, Childress entered the U.S. Army as a Private First Class. She completed Basic Training at Fort Jackson, S.C. and Advanced Individual Training or AIT at Fort Lee, Va.

Childress’ first station assignment was Fort Lee, Va. She deployed to Camp Cedar 2 in Iraq during 2005-2006. Her second station assignment was Fort Hood, Texas.

She earned medals for Army Commendation, Army Achievement, National Defense Service, Global War on Terrorism Service and Iraq Campaign, along with the Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver-Wheeled Vehicle Clasp.

She works as a Budget Analyst at the Army Materiel Command. “I am on the Board for the American Society of Military Comptrollers and the newly formed Team Redstone Female Mentoring and Morale Program,” Childress said.

Childress earned a bachelor’s degree in general business from the University of Alabama and a master’s degree in business administration or MBA with concentration in project management from the University of North Alabama.

“I live in south Huntsville but spend a ton of time in Madison because my family lives here,” Childress said. “I grew up in Huntsville.”

“I have two nephews and a niece that are the lights of my life,” Childress said. “Both of my nephews live in this area, and my niece lives in Austin, Minn.”

Along with Post 229, her veteran affiliations include VFW Post 2702 in Huntsville. A member of First Baptist Church in Huntsville, Childress teaches Sunday School and sings in the Sanctuary Choir, including the popular area tradition, the Living Christmas Tree.

Currently, she is in training to become a Court-Appointed Juvenile Advocate.

In free time, Childress enjoys completing jigsaw puzzles, which she frames and gives to people as gifts. “I’m trying to get through a few books and a cross-stitch that I’ve been working on for a few years,” she said. “I spend as much time as I can with my family and friends.”