My walk this morning was dedicated in honor of:
Army Staff Sgt. Jamie D. Jarboe, Age 27 of Frankfort, IN.
Died March 21, 2012 from wounds suffered on Apr. 10, 2011
He was assigned to 4th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas.
A sniper bullet struck Sergeant Jamie Jarboe in the neck on April 10, 2011, while he was on foot patrol in the Zhari district of Afghanistan. His unit, known as the Pale Riders, had just finished securing a southern Afghanistan village when he stood up to check for signs of danger and was shot. After undergoing more than 115 surgeries in 10 months, Sergeant Jarboe, who was paralyzed from the chest down by the bullet, landed in Topeka on Feb. 17th at Philip Billard Municipal Airport. He was transported to St. Francis Health Center, where he died March 21st.
Sergeant Jarboe joined the Indiana Army National Guard in 2005 and volunteered to go to Iraq, where he served a nine-month tour. He enlisted in the Army in 2007 and again deployed to Iraq, where he served a 15-month tour. Jarboe was assigned to Operation Enduring Freedom in February 2011 and deployed to Afghanistan. It was the same month he married Melissa, the “woman of his dreams.”
Jamie Jarboe addressed his two daughters and fellow soldiers via a video recording he and his wife made before his death. “It’s been a long road, just like you guys have had a long road,” he told soldiers. Jamie spoke about wanting to get out of the hospital and made lighthearted jokes.
From Prayers for Sergeant Jamie Jarboe: “A wife, a little girl, a father, a mother, wake up today to celebrate a life of a loved one. A soldier who sacrificed his life for the love of his country. He is remembered for his life and in his death with great honors.”
Jamie was a 2003 FrankfortHigh School graduate.
Another great walk this morning. I was able to honor him with a 10.51 mile walk. I want to thank everyone who honked and waved in helping me honor this hero. You all are just amazing. Thank you.
