‘Who I served for’: Local veteran and VFW commander Tara Garber reflects on meaning of service, even after the uniform comes off

For Tara Garber, Veterans Day is about more than hearing the familiar words, “Thank you for your service.” The Craig Veterans of Foreign Wars commander appreciates the gratitude. But after nearly 15 years in the Army National Guard, including a deployment to Iraq, she hopes those words lead to a deeper understanding of what service makes possible and what veterans may need when they return home. “Don’t just thank me,” Garber said. “Be worth me thanking. Be worth me serving.” It is a perspective shaped by generations of military service, her own experiences during her service and the work she continues to do for veterans across Moffat County. Garber grew up in Ohio, the daughter of a Vietnam veteran who served two tours. Both grandfathers served during World War II. Inspired by their example, she enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard in 1999 at age 26. Already a licensed nurse, she chose a different specialty: diesel mechanic. She later trained to recover disabled military vehicles.

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