Zachary Potter
Sergeant, United States Army National Guard
December 25, 1981 – January 9, 2014
Age – 32
Taylor, MI
177th Military Police Brigade, Michigan National Guard, Lansing, MI
SGT Potter became one of “22 A Day” on January 9, 2014
Zachary served his country by enlisting in the National Guard. As a result of his commitment to his country and the National Guard he served two tours in Iraq with the United States Army. Zachary’s dedication to service did not end after he was honorably discharged from the military. He continued to serve his community by volunteering at Fish & Loaves Food Pantry in Taylor, Michigan, The Millman’s NRG Foundation in Farmington Hills, Michigan and The Michigan Wounded and Returning Warrior Program.
His first deployment was in 2004 and he was stationed near Baghdad, Iraq. He was an MP who helped train the Iraqi police force and also served as a Humvee truck driver. One of Zach’s best friends was injured by a suicide bomber during this tour.
While Zack was in Iraq, his dad and family fought tirelessly to make sure that the men and women overseas were able to get the supplies that they needed. Zack’s dad, Tim, spearheaded an effort to make sure that every solider was able to carry “quick clot” with them. He spent hours and hours, and talked to many people, congressmen, and people alike to support his son and fellow troops. It was a running joke while Zack was deployed, that there was a dad in Michigan causing quite a ruckuses trying to get quick clot to all the soldiers in combat zones.
The second time that Zack went back to Iraq, he volunteered to go. He spent eight months to a year there as the chaplains assistant.
He came home from Iraq in May 2008. He was honorably discharged due to the medical condition of PTS, which he suffered from after he came home from his first tour in Iraq.
Zack Potter lost his battle with PTS, January 9, 2014. He was 32 years old.
One of his fellow soldiers wrote “I was fortunate and honored to have served with Zack in Iraq, in 2007-08 with the 177th. I remember his warm and open personality, one that you really felt from the first hello to the last goodbye. We shared good conversations during Bible reading, when either of us needed to vent about the days events or just to pass some time.
His friendship was honest and gave more than one of us a hand hold in a place that at times could be very chaotic. We cannot forget the pizza parties, to pull in those that had to choose between extra sleep or invest some time in fellowship and Bible study. In my case it was not often enough but was valuable to me none the less. I hope that Zack continues his support of those around him in heaven, that infectious smile, his calming way that touched us all. You will be missed.”
Another recalled fondly “I met Zach during the Iraq deployment with the 177th MP BDE. I was one of the older folks going and not sure of what to expect. Zach had wonderful words of encouragement that helped during the mob process and throughout the deployment. As the Chaplain’s Assistant he had a lot of folks looking to him for guidance. We developed our connection when he realized if he needed to vent about anything he could stop by to talk to me. Whatever he said went no further, and from that action he started calling me mama. I think my age may have affected his choice of nicknames. He would often knock on the trailer door and say; “Mama, are you home, I need to talk”. It became a running thing with us, it even continued after deployment. When I got my commission he told me; “I may have to salute you but I’m still calling you mama”. I saw him last year while I was at work and he still called me mama.”