Veteran Spotlight - February 2026

Todd Tastad, born in Storm Lake Iowa in 1953. Went to Central High and graduated in 1971. He joined the Army in ’71, worked as an Equipment Storage Specialist, which meant he helped with storing, packing, and shipping equipment. With detailing the equipment to be stored, some items needed special care when packing/shipping.

Todd served in the Army for three years, stationed in Anchorage for two years, then was stationed in Fort Eustes, VA until he left the service. 

He took a couple years off to enjoy life. In 1975 was in a serious motorcycle accident, and spent two weeks in a coma. He was sent to Des Moines for rehab and discovered he was best suited for musical instrument repair.  He attended Western Iowa Tech and learned to tune pianos.  He went to Barber School in ’80, worked as a barber for ten years, until he got married.  He then worked at Gateway for a few years.  He sold cars for Charlie Zook Motors for several years, and divorced during this time.  Later, he went back to cutting hair, until he retired.

Todd met his second wife, Julie, at a singles dance in Storm Lake in 1996.  He spent rest of his life with Julie, until her passing in 2025.

He has been a Legionnaire for 17 years, the entire time as a member of Post #64.