Thank You Story; Soldier Finds Her Home by Following Her Dreams

Tara Anderson has always been a musician and will always be a soldier. For her, joining the military was just something that was in her genes. Her great-grandfather served, her grandfather landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day in WWII and her father served in Vietnam. However, Tara did not discover her call to service right away. She had a passion for performing music. But while attending a local college fair where she was looking to pursue her passion for music, Tara discovered a way to bring her call to service and her passion for music together in the Army band. Tara recalls, “I went to a college fair looking to see what colleges had for music, and a recruiter (Army) pretty much sprinted after me, ‘Saying, hey, hey, we have a band.’ And that was kinda all it took.” Tara auditioned for the Army Band at 17 while still in high school, made the cut and joined the Army five days out of high school.

Tara spent the next 6 years serving the United States and fellow soldiers in the Army. She completed her basic training in South Carolina, her AIT in Virginia and was stationed in Fort Hood. During her 6 years of service, Tara had the opportunity and honor to play for several military dignitaries, Sergeant Majors and the Command Sergeant Major of the Army. Equally important, Tara was an integral part to boosting soldier moral and honoring the fallen who had paid the ultimate sacrifice serving our country. “This unique experience has made me who I am today”, said Tara.

Life after service has been an adventure for Tara. She is still passionate about playing music and now has children to share her time with. Finding a new home that could support this lifestyle was a very important step in her new journey. So, when Tara started looking online for her new home, she knew exactly what she wanted. Her new home needed to be in a safe area, but also affordable. Tara recalls that although she knew exactly what she wanted, that it did not make finding the right home any easier. Luckily, while researching rentals and veteran benefits online, Tara stumbled upon Homes for Heroes and decided to check it out. She registered online, and within hours she was connected to Homes for Heroes lender and fellow veteran, Shane Tibiatowski. For Tara, this connection was a godsend. 

Homes for Heroes lender, Shane Tibiatowski not only played a big part in helping Tara make her new home a reality, he was also her biggest supporter. Tara recalled meeting Shane and their connection, “Shane is a veteran. We have a separate mindset. I can’t really explain it. We just take care of each other. They (Shane and his wife) took really good care of me when I needed it at the worst part of my life. Where I was just thinking, I can’t do this. They told me, ‘I better get on it, or they are going to kick my little but.’ It was good for motivation, because they were there for me 100%.”

Working with Shane Tibiatowski through Homes for Heroes, Tara found the house that she was looking for. Her new home sits in a quiet and safe neighborhood in Fargo, ND. Her new home also fits right into her budget. Now Tara can focus on the simple things in life she enjoys like, composing new music and listening to her classic favorites like, “Georgia on My Mind.” Tara can also use the extra savings she earned through Homes for Heroes on her two children. Tara states, “It’s (Homes for Heroes) just incredible. I am really big into gratitude. Giving thanks where it is needed or deserved. I would sing the praises of Shane and his wife, till my last dying breath. Because I never had a doubt that they were there for me 100%, They took such good care of me.”

Tara, we are honored to be able to serve you and be a small part of your new journey! May you and your children create many fond memories in your new home!