Current Residence: Scott Air Force Base, Illinois
Family: Parents, John and Sarah (Oyler) Tackett; sister Jennifer (Tackett) Joyce; husband CMSgt. Dana Rogers; son Cole Kosmala (student at South Dakota State University), step-daughter Mikayla Rogers (student at Mississippi Gulf Coast College); and Suki, our teacup yorkie.
Career after the military: Registered Nurse
Hobbies: Spending time with my family, cooking, landscaping, antique shopping, hunting, fishing and working on my husband's family farm. I once enjoyed riding my Harley, but now I am very content just to drive my classic Mustang on the weekends.
Branch of Service: Air Force
Active Duty dates of service: July 25, 1988 to Aug. 31, 2009
Assignments: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; McClellan Air Force Base, California; Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada; Osan Air Base, South Korea; Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska; and Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota.
Total time that you served? 21 years, 1 month, 6 days
What did you do in the service? Dental technician, oral surgery/operating room technician, forensics team member, deputy chief of Base Protocol Office, and first sergeant for the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and Munitions Squadrons.
What did you gain from serving in the military? Serving in the military provided me structure, discipline, camaraderie, pride and compassion. I was given the opportunity to be a part of a team, as well as lead teams. I learned how to multi-task, prioritize and function under stress. I also had the privilege of serving with countless other men and women who came from such diverse backgrounds. Regardless of race, economic status, education level, age, religion or attitude, it was an honor to serve with these fellow Americans. Maybe the better question is … What didn't I gain from serving in the military?
What do you remember most about your service? I remember performing mouth to mouth on a military member who we were fortunate enough to be able to save and I also remember holding the hand of another that we could not save. It always sticks with me and it reminds me how fragile life is and how blessed I have been.
What would you like readers to know about your military experience? There has been many changes in both our country and our military since I joined in 1988, but both are still the best in the world. If I had it to do over, I would do again without hesitation.
Is there anything else you want readers to know about you that we didn't ask? I plan to return to South Dakota and hope to work as an RN at the Fort Meade VA Hospital. I would also like to do at least one mission trip as an RN.
Hometown Heroes is a weekly feature profiling Clark and Champaign County veterans compiled with the assistance of local Vietnam veteran Randy Ark. To nominate a veteran, e-mail samantha.sommer@coxinc.com or randyark48@gmail.com or call 937-328-0363. Any veteran of any military branch, years of service and age is eligible to be profiled.
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