Support Jordan Tackett's Rehab and Freedom

I am asking for some help with a fundraiser I am organizing to benefit a man I’ve gotten to know and consider him a friend and neighbor.

I met Jordan Edward Tackett in February 2023. The day we met he was coming from a nursing home the VA had placed him in to live with his parents, who are my close friends.

Jordan could not speak and while he could move around a little, it wasn’t well enough to be helpful to himself in anyway and in fact he couldn’t even hold his head up. His eyes, however, revealed instantly to me awareness, intensity and a myriad of jumbled emotion.

As I grew to know who Jordan is and more about who he was as a boy and man, I proud to call him my friend. The good, the bad … “warts, pimples” and all.

He is truly living. Some days are better than others, like most of us. Make no mistake, Jordan is “in there”, today he can have conversations by pointing at letter & picture charts he has said several words. He works with speech, physical and other therapists regularly. I truly believe if his parents hadn’t taken him out of that nursing-home he would not be alive today.

His care at home is excellent thanks to his parents. Unfortunately, the home is not set up to handle his needs. There is a carport, that can be utilized and transformed into lil’ apartment and rehab area and most urgently a handicapped shower! His parents give him sponge baths, but I’m telling you that Jordan would love a shower and ability to do it regularly!

More importantly, the freedom to use his power chair without takin out walls in the current house! I spoke to many people from Jordans past which I’ll tell you about in a minute; but for now, I will tell you that this morning I told Jordan I was writing something about him and asked him for one quote. I got a one-word answer … “relentless”, which he delivered with a half grin.

In the past month, I have mentioned what I’m hoping to achieve for Jordan to a few people I know and was met with an amazing and heart-warming response. A big thank you to Matt Aitchison, Developer of the new Pirate Plaza revitalization project in Poteau offered to sponsor my efforts, Jeremy Boss of New Oak Construction has offered his crew, Dr. Krystel Huddleston of Huddleston Healthcare, Michael Taylor at Community State Bank, Karen Wages at the Chamber of Commerce, Kreg Haney at the Choctaw Nation and Harps have all offer their help and support to this fundraiser.

I knew that Jordan had served in both the Oklahoma National Guard and the United States Army and that he suffered from PTSD among other things from his time deployed. What I didn’t know which a soon learned, was how he served.

I contacted his good friend who he served with in the US Army. Captain Nicholas L. Schuch, current Commander Military Intelligence Company, Group Support Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Captain Schuch met Jordan in the fall of 2011 when they worked as enlisted soldiers at Alpha Company 307 Brigade, Supply and Distribution, under the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

Captain Schuch recounted how Jordan “Took me under his wing, showed me the ropes and took me in”. From that day on, he said “we were inseparable, a true brotherhood”. The two went on to serve together when they were deployed to the Ghanzi Territory in Afghanistan. Captain Schuch recounted much to me but a few things he said in our conversation really seeded into my soul. He said Jordan was not only a big part in his elevation to become an Officer but that he owed his life to Jordan, further that Jordan Tackett is “unapparelled in my life”. When he spoke this to me, my skin tingled due to the intensity from the tone and unapologetically deliberateness of the man speaking those words.

My mother always told me to judge people by their actions, character and the company they keep. Well mom, God rest your soul, I think I’m closer to understand what you meant.

In April of 2022 Jordan was riding his motorcycle, without a helmet (which he regrets today) and was in an accident involving six other vehicles which left him with a severe TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). Jordan is grateful that the only injury resulting from that accident was his own.

Jordan is still completely immobile and unable to care for himself but is making “stepped progress” every day. The little apartment and rehab room I have in mind will help tremendously with his rehabilitation, daily life, mind and body. Not to mention the weight it will take from his parents.

The fundraiser, Dinner & Auction (no reserve) will be held on Wednesday July 17, 2024, at the Reynolds Center in Poteau. Community State Bank will be grilling hamburgers for Lunch in the parking lot starting at 11 am until 2 pm. That evening we will be having the BBQ Dinner-Auction beginning at 6 pm catered by Eli French. I will send an update soon with some of the items up for Auction. Lunch tickets at the door will be $5 and dinner tickets will be $10. Any donations will be greatly appreciated.

Contact Steve Harper at: (916) [phone redacted]