Staff Sergeant Beau T. Thacker – US Army

Every day men and women find themselves in harm's way as they protect you and I from all those who would end our American way of life. It's these men and women we want to salute. And this week, we snap to a proper salute for SSG Beau T. Thacker of the United States Army. His wife Darlene Patterson-Thacker sent us his story!

My Soldier was recently honorably discharged with 19 years of service...one year until retirement. He was the Transportation Coordinator for North Louisiana, after being relocated from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. He is Army through & through. He served a tour in Iraq...lost almost all his possessions in Hurricane Katrina, where he served in search & rescue...and when people see him in his ADUs & thank him for his service, he thanks them for allowing him to serve.

He is my humble Soldier. He doesn't see his service as a job or disservice...it's his life. He gives Uncle Sam his all & accepts the little Uncle Sam gives in return & never complains. He would lay down his life for his country without hesitation, head held high, heart at the ready. He makes me a very proud Army wife.

When he was up to be deployed to Afghanistan, being new to Army life myself, I was terrified...what if he doesn't come back!? God has so richly blessed me with a wonderful man...will He take him from me!? I cried & asked him, Why do you want to be a Soldier anyway? Why couldn't you be a doctor or lawyer...something, anything but a Soldier? He replied, Because being a Soldier was all I ever wanted to be...all my life, it was my dream.

I praise God for my Soldier. He puts others before himself, he's dedicated, hard working & Army proud. He gives his all & asks no questions. We're very proud of him.

And Kiss Country is just as proud of him! The Kiss Country Service Member of the Week this week! SSG Beau T. Thacker. THANK YOU!