Where Are They Now?
Kennedale News will be doing a series of articles on KISD Students from years past. If you are like me, sometimes a person from school just pops into your head and you wonder what became of them?
The subject of our first story will be a young man from the Class of 1999, Scotty Messer.
School Years –
KN: Who was your favorite teacher? Scotty: This one is hard, there are so many wonderful educators within the KISD platform to pick just one. From Mrs. Hester when I started kindergarten, to Mrs. Clark in elementary. Then, you can’t get out of KJSH if Mrs. Yacio, Mrs. Martin, or Mrs. Scott didn’t have some type of positive impact on you. As far as high school, I will never forget Coach Schubert, Coach Tranthem and Coach Teague. Oh and who couldn’t forget Drivers Ed with Coach York and Coach Biondi. Blessed to have learned from all the teachers, faculty, and other staff members over my time in grade school.
KN: What did you like to do when you were a kid/teen in Kennedale? Scotty: Before Sonora Park was what is now, I spent many days fishing in the two ponds. I liked riding my bike up to the fishing store next to the flower shop to get some type of new gear. I enjoyed listening to the dirt track and drag strip on Friday and Saturday nights. Oh, and also, all day Saturday either at The KYA Ball Park in the spring/summer or Football field in the fall/winter. I would have DQ or Burger Box for a pre-football game snack on Thursday or Friday. Kenneth’s BBQ, if you know, you know. Then many of hours fishing and swimming in the sandpits.
KN: What is a favorite memory of growing up here in Kennedale? Scotty: On top of everything I liked to do… my favorite memory would have to be… Kennedale is small town living with access to big city life. I remember people saying “Kennedale is nothing but junkyards and ta-ta bars… the only thing you go there for is the race track.” However, KHS Sports teams in the late 90’s (and then into the 2000’s) help put Kennedale on the map!
Flash Forward –
Command Sergeant Major Scotty L. Messer
Bio
Command Sergeant Major Scotty Messer is a native of Kennedale, Texas and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1999.
Command Sergeant Major Messer’s previous assignments include: Battalion Paralegal Specialist and NCO, Brigade Sr. Paralegal NCO, Military Justice Operations NCO, and Command Paralegal NCO. His stateside assignments include Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the Military District of Washington, D.C. and Fort Stewart, Georgia. He has deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and multiple other areas within the CENTCOM AOR.
Command Sergeant Major Messer is a graduate of all Army Noncommissioned Officer Education System (NCOES) schools to include Basic Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course (Distinguished Honor Graduate, Distinguished Leadership Award), Senior Leader Course (Distinguished Honor Graduate), Battle Staff NCO Course and United States Army Sergeant Major Academy (USASGM-A) Class 69. In addition, he has completed Basic Airborne School, Static Line Jumpmaster Course, Military Free Fall Basic Course, Military Free Fall Jumpmaster, Master Jumpmaster, High Risk Survival – Evasion – Resistance and Escape (SERE) School, Master Resilience Trainer Level 1, Armor School, Intelligence Law Course, Contractor Representative Course and multiple Advanced Driving and Shooting Schools. He holds an Associate’s of Science Degree in Paralegal Studies from Northern Virginia Community College and is a Certified Personal Trainer from National Academy of Sports Medicine. In addition, he is continuing his education by pursuing a degree in Business Administration.
Command Sergeant Major Messer’s awards and decorations include the Military Intelligence Association’s Knowlton Award, United States Special Operations Command – Major General William F. Garrison Award, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Joint Service Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Army Commendation Medal (7th Award), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (6th Award), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (5th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal w/ Three Campaign Stars, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (5th Award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Non Article 5 Medal, Master Parachutist Badge, and Freefall Parachutist Jumpmaster Badge.
As of June 29th, Scotty assumed responsibility for Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) at Joint Base Sam Houston, San Antonio!! Sergeant Major Messer picked up Command Sergeant Major in the process!!!
Command Sergeant Major Messer is married to the former Amanda Teague of Clarksville, Tennessee. While they do not have children, they have one Corgi – Riley, and will welcome a new Corgi puppy into the family on July the 30th. His hobbies include Boating, Family, Fishing, Football, Golf, Skydiving, Snorkeling, Softball, and Caribbean Vacations.
FYI –
On Memorial Day, Scotty, although far away from Kennedale, watched the Annual Memorial Remembrance Service held at Kennedale High School for fallen hometown heroes, David Helm and Mike Rivers who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the Vietnam War. Somehow, he said he never knew the Kennedale Alumni marked every Memorial Day for many years, remembering these schoolmates and sharing stories about them. He was so moved that he contacted Kennedale Alumni President and asked if he could order two Rotary Flags to be placed at their Memorial Marker in front of the High School at the allotted patriotic holidays the Rotary deploys the flags. KISD Superintendent, Chad Gee was very much OK with this idea.
We thank Scotty for his service to our country, his loyalty to Kennedale ISD and his hometown.
We all wish you the very best.
