By Emily Cano
Anthony “Tony” Loween’s life is characterized by service. Service to God. Service to his country. Service to his community. Service to his family. “Service is what life is all about,” said the American activist Marian Wright Edelman. For 21 years, Tony served his country in the United States Army. He worked in communities to recruit students for military service. Now that he’s retired from military service, he serves his family by supporting his kids, who are living at home.
Tony (Class of 2002) transferred to Crown College in 1996. He took a break and then returned to finish his education degree. Before his final year, he took the Army oath of enlistment to serve his country by defending “the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic …” Unknown to him at that time, he would be defending the US against foreign enemies within a couple of years.
He was working as a school bus driver the morning of 9/11. He made it back to his Faith Village apartment in time to watch the second tower fall. Infuriated at what was happening, he wanted to go right then. But he did the “responsible thing” and finished his degree. After graduation, he left for Basic Training and Infantry Advanced Individual Training. His follow-on assignment was with the famed 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
With the 101st, he deployed to Iraq at the beginning of the invasion. He was able to be a light, giving devotions and prayers to those questioning their faith. Tony said, “When your people are hurting … you are able to inject the gospel and live out your faith. People see that.” His light was needed in that dark time. His unit was ambushed and took hostile fire. He ended his tour earning an Army Commendation Medal with Valor, demonstrating heroic service to his country and unit.
After this overseas tour, he changed positions a few times and moved around the US, living in Minnesota, South Carolina, Nebraska, and Iowa. Even though he was a “grunt” in the Army, he found it satisfying. However, he eventually switched to recruiting others into military service. This work was also fulfilling as he was able to help kids find their way, and at the same time, help the Army. But eventually he switched gears again and joined the officer corps, where he could have an even bigger impact. Toward the end of his career, he had one of his favorite positions as the Officer in Charge. He loved being in leadership at Troop Command and helping the soldiers in his unit.
His family demonstrated leadership and military service. Tony followed in the footsteps of his dad, uncles, and great-grandfather in military service. He passed on that legacy to his oldest son, who is in the Iowa National Guard and is deployed to the same country as Tony had been two decades before.
As November 11 nears, the Loween family is part of those for whom the national observation was created. The purpose of Veterans Day is to recognize and thank service members — whether they chose or were required to serve — for their sacrifices and contributions. Jackie Robinson said, “A life isn’t significant except for its impact on others’ lives.” Crown College thanks Tony and all the other veterans for their significant impact on the lives of others. He and his family have sacrificed so much, and America is better for it.
