Dennis Rucker is being honored as Lake Andes’ March Veteran of the Month. Not only is Rucker a Vietnam War Veteran, but he also served during Operation Desert Storm. Rucker enlisted in the Army on January 30, 1969 when he was 18 years old. Rucker was shipped to Fort Johnson, formerly known as (fka) Fort Polk, in Louisiana for basic training. As there were too many soldiers sent to that base, soldiers were dispersed to three different bases. Rucker was sent to Fort Jackson, in South Carolina. After completing basic training, he was then sent to Fort Moore, fka Fort Benning, in Georgia to complete his infantry training. Once infantry training was finished, Rucker volunteered for Airborne School, to become a paratrooper. When asked how many jumps he made during his time in the Army, Rucker said “one, the other 13 they had to push me out of the plane”.

After all of his training was complete, he was then stationed in Germany. Before he received his orders to be deployed to Vietnam, Rucker had actually volunteered for deployment. He had friends and family who were fighting in Vietnam and he wanted to be a part of the US forces as well. Rucker served in the 101st Airborne, Division 3rd Brigade, 187 Infantry. He elected to serve 14 months in Vietnam, which offered him an early discharge from the Army. The men that Rucker served with in Vietnam became very close, almost closer than family because of what they saw and experienced together. When his time in Vietnam was complete, he was sent back to Fort Lewis in Washington to be discharged. He can remember walking the streets after leaving the base in uniform and being met with Vietnam War protesters who unfortunately did not offer the support and respect that the servicemen deserved. Rucker was honorably discharged from the Army on September 13, 1971. He then served three years in the Army Reserves before taking a break from the military.

In 1982, Rucker missed the comradery and togetherness that being a part of the military offered, so he joined the National Guard. He would serve in the National Guard for 17 years before retiring completely from duty. While a part of the National Guard, the 740th Transportation Company out of Milbank needed volunteers as they were deploying to Saudi Arabia and were not up to needed capacity. Rucker again volunteered for deployment to a war zone. His experience and leadership skills proved to be needed as when the unit arrived, his fellow soldiers were not combat ready, not knowing how to even put up a general-purpose tent. Rucker and fellow soldier, Todd Breen, showed them. During his time in Desert Storm, he was part of the transportation unit hauling ammo, water and even POWs One of the highlights of Rucker’s military experience was the thrill of getting to see and experience new places. During his time with the military, Rucker was able to go to Germany, Turkey, Central America, Panama, Costa Rica, Korea, Guatemala, Vietnam and Japan. He also received over 15 medals/awards/campaigns during his service. The two that he is most proud of being his jump wings and his purple heart. Rucker received the Purple Heart as he was hit with shrapnel during combat in Vietnam. These two awards are very near and dear to Rucker as he comes from a long line of military servicemen. Rucker’s great uncle was a part of a warrior society that dates back to the 1800s. As a warrior these men would dedicate their whole lives to the tribe and its people which included providing, protecting and fighting for them. These men did not marry or have children in order not to leave a family behind should something happen to them. It was a tradition to pass down their warrior name with the condition that it be earned. Rucker’s uncle’s name translated to Brave Heart. On his deathbed, he asked his sister, Rucker’s Grandma Anna, to pass down his name to her children. Having only daughters, meant that she would have to wait another generation. The Brave Heart name was finally passed down, after Rucker was deployed to Vietnam, allowing his grandmother to fulfill her promise. He has had many relatives who have also proudly served including his Grandpa Matt who was a code talker; Grandpa Amos who fought in the Army during WWI; an uncle that fought in WWII; his father that served in Korea; Rucker and his cousin who both served in Vietnam; and finally, Rucker who also served in Desert Storm.

Even though Rucker retired from the military, in 2000 he became the Yankton Sioux Tribe’s Veteran Service Officer. He continues to help fellow Veterans fight for their rights as well as for the betterment of Veterans in the Wagner/Marty/Lake Andes area. Rucker is known for always being willing to help those that need it. Rucker is a part of the organizationthatisintheprocess of building tiny homes near Wagner. As military recruiters do not visit the area often anymore, he also assists in bringing in the right military recruiters when there is known interest. Rucker currently holds the position of Commander of the American Legion McBride Post #257 in Greenwood and Commander of the VFW #1353 Blacksmith Post in Marty. He is the father of three children and the grandfather to five grandchildren.

Thank you, Dennis, for your continued service to your country and fellow Veterans.