Recognizing and honoring

Waseca Junior and Senior High School hosted guest speaker Robert Tackett as it  honored all veterans during its annual Veterans Day program in the high school gymnasium Friday morning, Nov. 11, 2022. 

“Do not take their bravery for granted,” Waseca principal Jason Miller said as he welcomed students, staff, and local veterans. “Bravery is not the absence of fear. Bravery is feeling the fear, the doubt, the insecurity and deciding that something else is more important. We are the home of the free because of the brave–thanks to the men and women of our armed forces.” 

Senior class vice president Jenaro Delgado Jr. shared a story before the posting of the colors. 

Delgado’s brother Jesse Delgado served in the Army National Guard for six years, and two more with the reserves. He was stationed at Camp Ripley in Little Falls, MN. He was an artilleryman, he was a 13 bravo cannon crewmember and he was activated once for the national guard during the riots in Minneapolis. “I’m very proud of my brother because he is the first of our family to take the step into joining the military.

“We can never fully repay our debt of gratitude to the more than 650,000 American service members who died in battle or the 1.4 million who were wounded. We can, however, recognize and thank the 25 million veterans still living today,” J.D. Delgado Jr. continued. “Today it is our privilege to say thank you to all of America’s veterans… The price of freedom is high. We cannot afford to forget those willing to pay it.”

Following the posting of the colors, senior class delegate Christian Rodriguez led everyone in the pledge of allegiance. 

Rodriguez said his father served in the US Marine Corps from ‘95-’99. He was stationed in Camp Pendleton, California, where he was assigned to a motor transport division. “I’m incredibly proud of my dad because of how hard he works every day, even when things get difficult. I hope that one day I will be able to work as hard as he does in everything I do. Thank you!”

Rodriguez introduced the marching band;s rendition of  the “Star Spangled Banner,” followed by the choir’s performance of a poem, “Who are the Brave?” 

Delgado Jr. introduced the day’s guest speaker, veteran Robert Tackett. 

Tackett’s military career began in 1986 when he joined the US Army 23rd Air Defense Artillery with the Big Red One. At that time he was promoted to specialist, fourth class. 

In 1989 Tackett went to Stuttgart, Germany on Reforger 1999. A year later he joined the 816th Station Hospital with the Army Reserves in Binghamton, New York. In 1991 he went to California, joined the Army National Guard and was deployed to assist in the L.A. riots of 1992, after which he was promoted to Sergeant, E-5. 

Following the terrorist attack of 9/11, Tackett worked in Operation Noble Eagle, and was deployed to protect our chemical weapons depot in Tooele, Utah, as the Medical Platoon Sergeant. In 2004 Tackett was deployed on an MFO Peacekeeping Mission to Egypt for MFO#48, as the medical platoon sergeant. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant, E-6. In Tackett’s words, he served as a combat medic.

“I have been shot in the face during a convoy ambush,” Tackett said. “I have looked through my sights at the enemy as I pulled the trigger. I have had the Bedouins of Egypt bring me their children when they were deathly ill or injured, because they trusted that Allah sent the best to aid them. I have survived numerous mortar attacks covered in dust and debris, and still answered to screams of “Medic!”  I was there for the bombing of Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, in 2005 and I answered that call to help over 200 wounded civilians, men, women and children.”

From 06-10 Tackett was deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom,  Operation Iraqi Freedom and was promoted to Sergeant First Class E-7. In 2010 he retired. During his more than two decades of service to our country, he earned the following awards: Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Reserve Components Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal. 

“Through my military service I have traveled all over the US: New York, Washington, California, Texas, Kansas, North Carolina, just to name a few,” Tackett shared. “I have had the opportunity to travel to other countries like Spain, Germany, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Kuwait, Egypt, Israel and Iraq. These travels have opened my eyes to the world and helped me realize how great America is. This greatness needs to be protected and nurtured so we can continue to grow and do great things for our own citizens and for the world.”

Tackett said he’s often been asked, throughout his time in the service and afterwards, how he can remain so happy and free spirited despite all the tragedies he has seen. “Every day that I wake up and have a chance to breathe fresh air, it’s a great day. Every day that I wake up to feel my aging body’s aches and pains, it’s a great day. Every morning when I wake up and remember my loved ones who are no longer with us, it’s still a great day. Every morning I wake up to the freedoms we have and can freely exercise, it’s a great day.  And I will tell you that no matter how bad things have been in my past–and they have been pretty bad sometimes–I got through it. And getting through those difficult times makes the next day a great day!”

Following Tackett’s speech, Barb Klampe of the local VFW introduced the winners of the Voice of Democracy Youth Scholarship writing contest: first place: Stormi Schmidt; second place, Will King; and third place, Ashton Jensen. Fewer than three points in the ranking system separated the three essays. 

Following a recognition of local veterans, the program concluded with the playing of “Taps” by Noah Dahle and Joe Feldkamp. A copy of Tackett’s speech, in addition to the letters in the essay contest, can be found in this week’s edition of the Pioneer.