Fulton County Ohio Media

Prior to the Swanton Bulldogs boys’ varsity basketball game against the Wauseon Indians, Swanton residents and husband and wife, Derek and Cat Kania, were recognized and honored for their long and dedicated military service to America.  They were brought out to center court and a brief synopsis of their amazing story was read to the crowd by Swanton High School students Marlee Purdy and Lila Walborn.

Below is the transcript from that special event.

Derek and Cat Kania have over 40 years of combined service in the United States Air Force.  They both made the decision to enlist in the Air Force Reserve after the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001.  Cat enlisted at the 914^th Air Force Reserve Base in Niagara Falls, New York, while Derek enlisted at the 927^th Air Force Base Reserve in Selfridge, Michigan, but he lived in Bowling Green, Ohio. 

In late 2006, Derek was contacted by his supervisor to let him know he would be attached to another Security Forces Squadron in New York that was being activated.  When the time came to be deployed in January of 2007, what he didn’t know, was that he would be teamed up with a group of people that would include his future wife.

Cat and Derek were both called to do over six months of active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and deployed to Kirkuk Regional Airbase, Iraq.  They spent their days dodging mortar and rocket attacks, small arms fire, sandstorms and battling the searing 130⁰F heat.  In this war-torn country is where their journey together began.

In August of 2007, their deployment came to an end.  Derek went back home to Ohio and Cat went home to New York.  Less than two weeks after returning from Iraq, Derek and Cat realized they were meant for each other.  After a convincing phone call from Derek, Cat quickly packed up her car, moved to Ohio to live with him and she hasn’t left since.  Over the years they have both been stationed at different Air Force bases and seized every opportunity to travel to different countries in support of numerous operations.

Derek and Cat eventually moved to New York where they were both members of the 914^th Airlift Wing.  They spent a few years there and then moved back to Ohio where Derek began his career with the 180^th Fighter Wing.  After another deployment with the 914^th in 2016, Cat decided to transfer to the 180^th as well.  Throughout their careers they made time to raise their two amazing daughters, Ella and Kylie.

After moving way too many times, they finally decided to set their roots in Swanton in 2013.  Here, Cat was able to see her dream of opening a coffee and bake shop come to fruition.  She retired from the Air Force with over 20 years of dedicated service in October of 2022 with the rank of Master Sergeant.  Derek continues his service as an active member of the 180^th Fighter Wing, Security Forces Squadron working alongside Coach/Chief Master Sergeant Russell Bacon.  He also serves the Village of Swanton as an elected member of the Swanton Village Council and as the Village’s Mayor Pro Tempore.

Cat and Derek have been to many countries such as Germany, Kuwait, Saudia Arabia, Iraq, Iceland, Ireland, France, Spain, Qatar and several other locations within the United States.  The Kanias are proud to call Swanton their home and they thank everyone for all the support this town devotes to its military members past, present and future.

Photo (L to R): Ella Kania, Cat Kania, Marlee Purdy, Lila Walborn, Derek Kania, Kylie Kania