Veterans’ day
TAPS Supt. Chad Anderson shares family’s history of service
“Service is more than a word, it’s a way of life.”
That was the message from Tracy Area Public Schools Supt. Chad Anderson to the students and members of the community in attendance Tuesday for the Veterans Day program at Tracy Area High School.
Both Anderson’s father and father-in-law were veterans, and he reflected on the lessons they learned during their service and those that were passed on to him. He spoke to the better men that they became because to their service.
“It’s easy to look at Veterans’ Day as a time for parades, flags and ceremonies,” Anderson said. “And all of those are important. But at its heart, it’s about the people. Ordinary people that made extraordinary choices. People that stepped forward when it would have been easy to step away. Ordinary soldiers that find courage resonate deeply with me.”
Anderson reminded those in attendance that what makes veterans so special is that they don’t seek headlines. They show up when people need help. They believe in giving back to their country.
“Not only did they become better men because of their service, our country is better as well,” Anderson said. “Our country is made up of men and women who came from modest backgrounds that did their duty. Our country is better because of the freedoms we have today.”
They became heroes not because of one act of bravery, Anderson went on to tell the audience, but because of all the little things they did while serving in the military. We have the freedoms we have today because of the men and women who have served, are still serving or have died serving our country.
“The many veterans in our country are humble people that have served because of something larger than themselves,” Anderson said. “They believed in duty, honor and hope that their efforts make a better life for someone else, like us.” Anderson spoke to the way our veterans remind us life including stepping up when others need you, do the right thing when no one is watching, being dependable, trustworthy and kind.
Every veteran has a story of dedication, bravery and love for their country.
Anderson reflected on the military funerals for both his father and father-in-law. He spoke of the presentation of the flag to the family and the powerful impact of it.
“My dad and father-in-law taught me so much about service, loyalty and kindness,” Anderson said. “They believed that real strength wasn’t about rank or power, it was about how you treated power. It was about showing up, keeping your word and doing your part without recognition.”
Anderson said that during the flag ceremony at each funeral, he reflected that Veterans’ Day isn’t about the history or ceremony, it’s about the values that veterans live and pass on — duty, honor, service and love.
Anderson shared with the audience the flag he received at his father’s funeral. He also, in his educator’s voice, gave an explanation of each part of the flag, something he had to memorize during elementary school. His teachers taught him there may be a day that you aren’t able to see the flag, and we should know what it represents and the importance of it. He asked the students and community members that everytime they stand for the Pledge of Allegiance or National Anthem, they remember what that flag means to them, their families and all veterans.
“Everytime we show kindness, lend a hand or put someone’s needs before our own,” Anderson said, we carry forward the lessons veterans left behind as part of their legacy. Today, we honor our veterans not just with our words, but with our actions. Let’s serve others, be loyal friends, and act with kindness, integrity and respect our government, respect our flag and respect our soldiers. To all veterans, we thank you, we honor you and we promise to keep your spirit of service alive in all we do.”
• During the ceremony, three area veterans were honored. The veterans’ biographies are written by Tracy Area High School seniors.
Ward Heronimus — presented by Landon Cochran and Adam Hippe
Ward Heronimus was born in Magnolia Township in 1937. He worked on his family farm until seventh grade, when they moved to Luverne. He graduated from Luverne High School. At the age of 18 he signed up for the draft. He enlisted in the National Guard and six months later was drafted into the United States Navy.
In 1957, he was deployed to the coast of Mayport, FL, and was stationed aboard the Franklin D. Rosevelt Air Craft Carrier, where he deployed to Turkey and Syria. While aboard, he served as a Commissary Man Seaman (CSSN). In this position, he was responsible for cooking for all men aboard. This included the 4,500 sailors and the additional 1,500 Marines who joined off the coast of Syria.
Heronimus resides in Tracy, close to his eldest son. He has four children and five grandchildren.
His advice to the younger generation is to enjoy their youth and exercise their privileges.
Duane (Swede) Campbell — presented by Aliyah Loftness and Addison Kainz.
Campbell was born Dec. 31, 1942, in Tracy. He graduated from Tracy High School and attended the University of Minnesota, St. Paul campus.
Campbell joined the Army National Guard in 1961 at the age of 19. He served at Fort Carson, CO, and Fort Ord, CA. Sgt. Campbell was awarded the Expert Infantry Medal and was among the top few in physical fitness. Later in his military career, he earned the Good Conduct Medal and ended his military service in August 1967, achieving the rank of Reconnaissance Platoon Sergeant in the Minnesota 47th Division.
Campbell lives in Tracy with his wife Norma. They have three children.
His advice to younger generations is they should think outside the box, serve their country proudly and work for others’ wellbeing. He believes that learning discipline is one of the most important qualities to have.
Gale Otto — presented by AnnaRae Bowman and Piper Freeburg
Otto was born Aug. 29, 1948, in Sleepy Eye. He was raised in Morgan and graduated from Morgan High School. After graduation, he attended Concordia College. He and his wife Melinda have four children and 11 grandchildren.
After graduating college, Otto was drafted at the age of 21 and completed basic training at Fort Lewis, WA. He served in the army under 11B10 or infantry. In Feb. 1971, Otto was deployed to Vietnam and spent 11 months on active duty. He returned to Fort Rucker, AL, for a month to fulfill his two years of required service. After moving to Tracy in the fall of 1973, he joined the National Guard and spent 21 years on active duty. He ended his almost 25-year career achieving the title of Master Sargent.
His advice to the younger generation was that everyone should serve either as a soldier or through social service, to learn what it takes to have a country, because the most important part is not to be a hero but be responsible. Otto believes we have a responsibility to serve, and that is how we have a country, churches, schools and athletic teams. Everybody serves, there are no heroes, you are part of a team.
• Over at the elementary school, after the Pledge of Allegiance was recited by the student body, staff and visitors. Student council members spoke about each war, going all the way back to the Revolutionary War. One by one, the students described the circumstances leading up to each war and what the soldiers wore in battle.
