Note: This is the the first e-mail Rick Isaak sent telling of his service.
Rick sent e-mail to me, Bob Meli, on 3/4/2014.

Subject: Veteran's Web Site

Dear sir,

I had discovered through a Hackensack FB page, that there was a wall of veterans that had attended HHS. I would like to add my name, if possible. My name is Rick Isaak and I attended HHS from 1989-92. I had served in the Army National Guard from May 14, 2002, to March of 2007. The unit that initially joined (Troop F/82 Cav out of Lebanon, Oregon) was mobilized and deployed in July of 2004. I went to train with my unit at Ft. Bliss Tx., but due to newly discovered medical reasons, I did not go. In my military career, I had achieved the rank of E-2. Hopefully this will meet the criteria for your roll call. If you need any more information from me you can email me or call me. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Rick Isaak

 

Note: on March 4, 2014, I responded to Rick Isaak’s e-mail: 

 Rick my name is Bob Meli and I do the research for the veteran’s wall unit at HHS and thanks for sending the information.  If you tell me what the E-2 rank was your duty we could add that along with any other information on your service.  Just curious, were you motivated to join because of the events of 9-11? Any information on your regular job if you want that included is fine also.  Your photo would be in the 1992 yearbook?  Did you play any sports or in any clubs?  Please let me know and we can post them.  I would along with the HHS staff and students like to thank you for your service. 

Sincerely, Bob Meli  

 --Please go to the web site at <veterans.hackensackschools.org> you can read how it began and you can click on <Researched Veterans> and then see how we setup web pages on veterans. 

 

Note: Here was Rick Isaak’s reply to my (Bob Meli) questions and more information about his service later that day on March 4, 2014. 

Dear Bob,
E-2 is pretty much a Private with a stripe, as opposed to E-1 which has no stripe and is pretty much a recruit. Honestly, I had more than one motivation to serve. Yes, I did want to serve my country after the events of 9/11, but also for a stable life and career, as I was essentially homeless at the time. I joined as a cook, because I already had proficiency with it and as I kept telling people "I would rather feed people, then kill them". Little that I knew, my role would have been as a 50. cal gunner on top of a Humvee as civilians prepares the meals overseas now. I was a marksman with the M-16 but never handled a 50.cal. I had a crash course in it, learning how to assemble and disassemble the weapon, from a Sgt. who later was killed in Iraq. Unfortunately, I am unemployed at the moment, but would update that info once that situation changes. I am in the 1992 yearbook, and was on the Quiz Bowl Team and Academic Decathlon. I also was Senior Class VP in 1991(I repeated Senior year in 92') and actually ran for Student Council President in 91' but lost. Anymore info you would like or need, please let me know, and thank you for your prompt return.

Sincerely,
Rick Isaak

Dear Bob,
Also, here's a pic of me if you needed one, from 2003. One of the few I still possess.