Patriotic stories · Patriot 250 · Tad Steckler
Still There at Dawn
The True Story of the Flag That Inspired America’s National Anthem
The life behind the stories
Service, leadership, and hard-earned wisdom.
Master Sergeant Tad Steckler, U.S. Army (Ret.), is a Soldier’s Medal recipient, author, and co-founder of Gateway Legacy Publishing.
The Soldier’s Medal recognizes heroism involving voluntary risk of life outside actual conflict with an enemy. This recognition is part of the service experience Tad brings to his writing. Read the Army’s explanation of the Soldier’s Medal.
Tad brings a career shaped by service, responsibility, and leading alongside others to GLP’s work. His perspective helps keep the publishing house grounded in stories that build character, honor lived experience, and invite readers to move forward with courage.
He is the author of Coming Home Takes Time, an illustrated story for military and veteran families about reunion, big feelings, honest communication, and rebuilding connection after a parent returns home.
Tad is also a de Fleury Medal recipient, an honor recognizing contributions to Army engineering, and a Sergeant Audie Murphy Club inductee. The Fort Hood Sentinel named Staff Sgt. Tad Steckler among the Soldiers inducted at the Phantom Warrior Club on April 24, 1996. Read the archived induction notice.
Together with Robyn Loveland, J.D., he helped establish GLP around a shared conviction: meaningful stories can preserve wisdom, strengthen people, and build bridges between generations.
A book for military families
Coming Home Takes Time
A warm illustrated story about learning each other again after a parent returns home.
Explore the bookThe path
The values that shape the work.
Service
A career in the U.S. Army shaped by commitment, responsibility, and care for the people beside him.
Leadership
Model It. Build It. Release It. Set an example, develop people, and give others room to lead.
Character
A belief that meaningful work should help readers develop courage, judgment, resilience, and empathy.
Legacy
A commitment to preserving hard-earned wisdom and carrying it forward through stories.
From Tad’s experience
Coming Home Takes Time
A story for military families learning each other again.
This warm illustrated story gives military and veteran families a gentle way to talk about reunion, big feelings, honest communication, and rebuilding connection after a parent comes home.
Written by Tad Steckler, Coming Home Takes Time carries lessons earned through service and life into a story created to help families move forward together.
Published books by Tad
Service, family, and shared traditions.
Patriotic stories · Patriot 250 · Tad Steckler
The Flag That Says Thank You
Abie Learns the History of a Military Farewell
Patriotic stories · Patriot 250 · Tad Steckler
The Promise in Our Words
Understanding the Pledge of Allegiance
Military families · Tad Steckler
Why Can’t They Come Over?
A Veteran Family’s Story About PTSD, Understanding, and Belonging
Patriotic stories · Patriot 250 · Tad Steckler
When America Sings
Why We Stand, Remember, and Carry the Promise Forward
Start a conversation
Reach Tad at Gateway Legacy Publishing.
Questions about the publishing house, a title, school or bulk orders, speaking, or media are always welcome.