STURGIS, S.D. – Veterans are a vital part to every community across the United States. Whether they serve for three years or 33 years, Veterans come home and bring that same ethic of service to their communities, strengthening the fabric of our Nation.
Sturgis resident Gregg Harrigton is one such veteran. There’s an old saying that the Military is a family business, and in Gregg’s case, that statement is true.
“I have several Uncles that are World War Two veterans, and we would sit there at my grandmother’s house, listening to their stories at my grandmother’s was just incredible,” Harrington said. “My heroes were those uncles and their friends. My older brother went to West Point, he was in the first class of female cadets that graduated in 1980.”
Gregg grew up on the east coast and went to an all-boys military high school, St. John’s in Washington, DC, where he adapted to the military lifestyle.
“I’ve been wearing a uniform, including Catholic school and elementary school, I’ve been wearing Army greens since I was 13 years old,” Harrington remarked.
Harrington graduated high school and joined the U.S. Army in 1988, serving for more than 10 years on active duty as a Military Policeman and another 13 years in the Army Reserve, while balancing a civilian career as a full-time Maryland State Trooper. He deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom three times following 9-11, leading troops in combat. Following his retirement as a State Trooper, Gregg and his wife, Kaylan, were looking for a place to put down roots, a place that aligned with their values and they chose Sturgis and moved to the city of Riders in January 2021. Gregg has been married to Kaylan, a Chief Warrant Officer 4 in the South Dakota Army National Guard for 22 years. Seeing his former Soldiers succeed is what gives Harrigton the most pride about his military service.
“Seeing my troops that I served with get promoted to Sergeant Major, First Sergeant and seeing them progress is so gratifying,” he said. “They’re just young kids and seeing them progress is better than all the medals on the chest, all the ribbons and rank that I’ve achieved. I’m so proud of all of my former troops.”
Retired First Sergeant Gregg Harrington – another local Veteran bringing his ethic of service and love of country to our communities in South Dakota.
