MINDEN, Nev.
by Sharlene Irete
sirete@recordcourier.com
One of the members of the Douglas class of 1989 will be missing his 20-year high school reunion because of a prior engagement in the Middle East.
Jeffrey David Hacker won't be celebrating with his class this weekend because he's a sergeant in the National Guard serving in Kuwait and Iraq.
"I have been on two missions to Iraq and I am getting ready for my third mission," Hacker wrote in an e-mail Tuesday. "Haven't encountered any danger yet, but I'm always keeping my head down. Not up! You don't want to get hit in the head by a bullet."
Hacker lived in Gardnerville from 1977-90 and graduated from Douglas High School in 1989. He was in the Army from 1990-94.
"I missed going to Desert Storm then, but now I'm here for Operation Iraqi Freedom," he wrote.
He's been in the Nevada National Guard since February 1994 and in the 150th Maintenance Co. in Carson City. He is attached to the 1864th Transportation Co. from Las Vegas as a mechanic and wrecker inspector in Kuwait, but makes missions to Iraq.
Hacker drives the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck and makes repairs as necessary.
"A Hemmit wrecker is a military tow truck. In case trucks break down or are hit by IEDs, (Improvised Explosive Devices) the wrecker is there to assist on convoys in Iraq," he wrote.
"I have only been here in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, for a month. It is very hot, 115-120 degrees! Sandstorms all the time."
In civilian life, Hacker lives in Reno and has worked for AT&T in Truckee as a service/splicing technician for 12 years. Hacker met his wife Kelly Awtrey when they were both in the Nevada National Guard. They were married in 1999.
Kelly and Jeff Hacker are Oakland Raiders and motor sports fans and plan to travel the NASCAR circuit when he gets home in about a year.
"My goal after this deployment is to go to as many races as I can before I have to go back to work," Jeff Hacker said. "I told my wife that before I died, I wanted to go to the Indy 500 and the Daytona 500."
Hacker got his wish about going to the Indianapolis 500 before he went to Kuwait in June. He was stationed in Indiana and was chosen to be a guest at the Indianapolis 500.
"It was one of the best days of my life!" Hacker said. "To meet the King (Richard Petty) was an honor! He is the greatest NASCAR driver ever! He was very polite and he had his cowboy hat and sunglasses on. I want to go to the 2011 Daytona 500 when I get back."
This week Hacker was preparing for an assignment in Iraq, but still was thinking about his Douglas classmates.
"I went to the 10 year reunion and we hung out at the JT Bar. The owners are very good friends of my parents, Dean and Gail Hacker," he said.
"It is hard to believe it has been 20 years since I left Douglas. I have found a lot of former classmates through Facebook."
Hacker ended Tuesday's newsy e-mail message with an apology for "rambling."
"The Internet is the best way for us soldiers to keep in touch back home. Just wanted to say thanks again for supporting us over here! Sincerely, Sgt. Jeff Hacker. A small town boy who graduated from Douglas High School 20 years ago!"
Details
How to get in touch with Jeff Hacker on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=1334859241&ref=mf
