Major General Tackett served in uniform for over forty-eight years (Almost a half a Century), including over 15 years as West Virginia's Adjutant General, the longest serving Adjutant General in the nation and in state history. He led the West Virginia National Guard through one of the most tumultuous periods in history, deploying nearly 11,000 Guard members overseas for Federal missions and directing the guards response to more than eighty state emergencies.

Senator Jay Rockefeller spoke at the General's ceremony. Below is the senator's speech:

Throughout his four decade long career, General Tackett has built the West Virginia National Guard into a nationally respected outfit that is always ready to answer the call to help, wherever it comes from. General Tackett has always taken the path that was best for the troops and for the state of West Virginia. He sought only what was best for our State and the nation. For that, we owe him our gratitude. I've been fortunate to call Allen a friend for many years and I doubt anyone who has watched his tenure can dispute the change he has made to the Guard. By extension, he has made West Virginia a better place to live and to work. He also has the unique ability to unite people of different backgrounds around a common goal. Most importantly, he does not believe in the words, "it can't be done".

General Tackett's modernization efforts have become an economic engine for communities throughout West Virginia that partnered with the Guard on more than $1 billion in construction projects. In the last 15 years, his leadership has been directly responsible for a tenfold increase in federal money to West Virginia military programs. This has resulted in the creation of more than 1,000 new full-time jobs since 1995.

He cares about people and his compassion is part of who he is. Not everyone sees the respect and honor he has paid to his folks in quiet ways, but I have shared so many exchanges where his true personal connection was evident. I remember his genuine interest in and connection with individuals, honoring them, their needs, and their families. He has seen off every unit prior to their deployment with special instruction to see that they return home, and he has frequently visited our men and women at Walter Reed Medical Center when they returned from combat wounded. As a former Governor of this great state, who had the privilege of serving as the state's Commander-in-Chief, I appreciate just how integral General Tackett's leadership has been to West Virginia.

General, I want to extend my deepest appreciation to you and Sallie Pat for all you have sacrificed for our Country and for West Virginia. You mean so much to this state. Your legacy lives on in the lives that you've touched and the remarkable Guard unit that you've built.