Big salute to a Wega native

WEYAUWEGA – Erin Tracy was officially commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Wisconsin Army National Guard during a ceremony at Camp Ripley in Minnesota on Aug. 17.
Tracy received her “first salute” from her grandfather, Gary Weiss, a Fremont native, retired dairy farmer, and U.S. Air Force veteran who was stationed in Japan and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Tracy distinguished herself during Officer Candidate School, earning both the Superior Physical Fitness Award for achieving the highest Army Fitness Test score in her class and the General James Sieben Leadership Award, presented to the top-ranking candidate as chosen by both peers and instructors.
During the ceremony, Tracy was pinned by her father Terence Tracy, mother Kathleen Tracy, and young son Oscar Jones. The event was also attended by family, friends, and community members including Kathy Fehl and Ian Teal of Wega Arts—where Tracy has served as a board member since 2019—and John Calabrese, a TikTok creator and storyteller.
Tracy will serve in A CO 173rd BEB, where she looks forward to applying her leadership skills and commitment to service.
“This commissioning is one of the greatest honors of my life,” Tracy said. “I am grateful to my family, mentors, and community for their support, and I am proud to serve both Wisconsin and my country as an officer in the Army Corps of Engineers.”
Tracy lives and works in Weyauwega, where she remains active in community arts and runs an online vintage clothing store.