Honoring Service, Appreciating Freedom: NCTA Students Reflect on Veterans Day
CURTIS, Neb. — The freedom to pursue an education, choose a career, and build a future carries a responsibility to remember those who have helped protect it. This Veterans Day, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture expresses its gratitude to the men and women who have served our country, including three students whose military experiences bring leadership, perspective, and a commitment to others to the NCTA community.
For Wyatt Ozenbaugh, Morgan Ekhoff, and Tonya Craghead, service has shaped how they approach their education and their future. Their experiences also remind a what military service requires, from time away from family to the discipline and dedication of preparing to serve whenever called.
Wyatt Ozenbaugh, a sergeant in the Nebraska Army National Guard’s 1075th Transportation Company, has served for three years as an 88M heavy equipment operator. At NCTA, he is studying Agronomy and Agribusiness with an Ag Chemical Applications Certificate and will graduate in December 2026.
A campus ambassador and a dependable student willing to lend a hand, Wyatt brings his commitment to service into his daily interactions at NCTA. He said his military experience has taught him to listen more attentively, respect others, and take purposeful steps toward his goals.
He chose NCTA for its small campus, relationships between instructors and students, and opportunities to learn through experience.
“This college is one-of-a-kind in my view, and it has been an amazing experience here,” Wyatt said.
For him, Veterans Day is rooted in gratitude for the opportunities Americans enjoy and the people who have helped preserve them.
“To me, it’s about thinking how good we actually have it from those before us and those still serving,” he said.
That appreciation extends to the personal sacrifices behind military service, including time away from loved ones and memories missed while fulfilling a commitment to the country.
Morgan Ekhoff, a Veterinary Technology student, served in the Nebraska Army National Guard from March 2020 through March 2026. As a 68W Combat Medical Specialist with the 2-134th Airborne Infantry Regiment based in Bellevue, she trained to provide emergency medical care, trauma treatment, and battlefield medicine in support of fellow soldiers. She now remains in the Individual Ready Reserve.
Ekhoff said her service strengthened her discipline, accountability, teamwork, and ability to remain calm under pressure. It also reinforced her desire to care for others, a purpose she plans to carry into veterinary medicine.
“As a medic, I learned the value of being there for people during some of their most difficult moments,” Ekhoff said. “While my military role focused on caring for people, my long-term goal is to serve animals and their owners through a career in veterinary medicine.”
She plans to continue her education and eventually attend veterinary school, with a particular interest in large animal and equine care.
Her connection to NCTA also spans generations. Both of her parents attended the college, and during her first year, she lived in the same room in Traditional residence hall that her father and one of his friends had occupied years earlier.
Family tradition influenced her military service as well. Her grandparents’ service helped inspire her decision to join, and Veterans Day gives her an opportunity to reflect on their example.
“To me, Veterans Day honors all those who answered the call to serve, regardless of when or where they served,” Ekhoff said.
She also hopes people recognize the families behind each service member.
“Behind every service member are family members who make sacrifices and provide support throughout training, deployments, and other military commitments,” she said.
Tonya Craghead, a student in NCTA’s online Veterinary Technology program, served in the U.S. Air Force for six years as a maintenance liaison for KC-135 aircraft before separating from the military in 2020. Her service took her to Texas, Idaho, and Germany, along with a deployment to Qatar.
Craghead came to NCTA after hearing positive things about the college from people who taught at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Her love of animals and interest in their care made Veterinary Technology a natural choice.
“I wanted to do something I genuinely enjoy and could see myself doing in the future,” she said.
Her military experience taught her the value of hard work, discipline, and adapting to unfamiliar situations. Those lessons continue to support her as she works toward a new career.
“One thing I took away from my time serving was learning how to adapt to different situations and environments,” Craghead said. “I feel like that will help me a lot in college and wherever life takes me next.”
For Craghead, Veterans Day is also about the lasting connections formed through service. She often spends the day with fellow veterans, sharing stories and enjoying the company of people who understand that part of her life.
“Serving isn’t always easy, but you meet some incredible people and build friendships that stay with you long after you get out,” she said. “Veterans Day is a good reminder of what we were all a part of and something we can always be proud of.”
Together, these students remind the NCTA community that military service leaves a lasting influence. The lessons they bring to their education strengthen the community around them and will continue to shape how they serve others in their careers.
This Veterans Day, NCTA thanks Wyatt, Morgan, Tonya, and all who have worn our nation’s uniform. Their willingness to serve helps protect the freedoms that allow others to learn, work, and pursue their goals. Their stories invite each of us to pause, listen, and express our appreciation for that commitment and for the families who support it.
NCTA also invites the community to help recognize those who have served. Beginning November 4, past and present service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserves, are welcome to stop by the Education Center and add their names to NCTA’s Wall of Honor.
Those unable to visit campus may email Taylor Klintworth at tklintworth2@unl.edu with their name and branch of service to have their names added to the wall.
On November 11, NCTA will treat past and present service members to lunch in the cafeteria or Chandie’s Castle, or a specialty drink at Chandie’s, as a small thank you for their service. The college will also recognize current NCTA students who have served through features on its Facebook page.
Community members are encouraged to share this invitation with the service members in their lives. NCTA would be honored to welcome them.
The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) in Curtis is a two-year institution within the University of Nebraska system, dedicated to developing the next generation of agricultural professionals and veterinary technicians. NCTA offers specialized programs in Animal Science, Agronomy, Ag Equipment, Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Education, Equine Industry Management, and Veterinary Technology—all grounded in a practical, career-focused approach to learning by doing.
Online Link: https://ncta.unl.edu/news/honoring-service-appreciating-freedom-ncta-students-reflect-veterans-day/