My walk today was dedicated in honor of:
Air Force A1C Elizabeth N. Jacobson, Age 21 of Riviera Beach, FL.
KIA Sept. 28, 2005 during Operation Iraqi Freedom
Airman Jacobson was a well known and loved member of Team Goodfellow. Her bright, smiling face started the day as hundreds of people were greeted by her at the South Gate. She was known as a person that always stepped up to any challenge and helped anyone in need. When the call for volunteers to deploy came, she was the first to raise her hand.
Just three months into her deployment to Camp Bucca, Airman Jacobson earned a position as a member of the off-base convoy support team. This team was comprised of only the best; those that displayed the utmost courage, skills and core values. While providing convoy security in Safwan, Iraq, an improvised explosive device exploded near the vehicle, killing her and the driver instantly.
Born March 26, 1984, Airman Jacobson enlisted in the Air Force on Dec. 9, 2003. After completing Security Forces technical school, she was assigned to the 17th Security Forces Squadron here at Goodfellow AFB where she performed duties as an installation entry controller and patrolman. There have been many memorials named in her honor.
Here are just a few:
· In 2006, in a short, but poignant ceremony, a large memorial rock, donated by the United States Air Force Security Police Association was unveiled with a plaque featuring Jacobson’s likeness etched on it. The memorial is ever present in front of the Security Forces squadron as a constant reminder of her sacrifices.
· The Physical Apprehension and Restraint Training facility at Lackland AFB is named after her. More than 6,000 new Security Forces Airmen receive their initial and follow on training in this facility each year.
· The Air Force has established the Elizabeth N. Jacobson Award for Expeditionary Excellence which is given to an Airmen for outstanding performance during a deployment. In 2008, one of our own, Senior Airman Nathan Escobar earned the award for his heroic efforts while deployed.
· A street on Ali Al Salem Air Base running from entry control point Echo 4 to the Republic of Korea Air Force compound was renamed Jacobson Avenue in her honor.
· The Goodfellow south gate was named in her honor. As thousands of people pass through the Jacobson Gate each day, a plaque on the front of the guard facility remind us of her sacrifice.
While the memory of Airman First Class Elizabeth Nicole Jacobson will forever live on through these amazing memorials, thousands of patriots like her continue to serve our great country in dangerous situations every day. Goodfellow alone has 138 warriors deployed all over the world today.
I urge you to reflect each time you come through the Jacobson Gate on those like Airman Jacobson who are sacrificing so much for our freedom. Go one step further and think of the families of those that are deployed. Take a few minutes to call them and show them that we are not just saying words when we say, we are “Team Goodfellow”.
We had a great walk this morning. We walked up to the war memorials down town. On our walk this morning we met a gentleman on a bicycle. He ask if he could take a photo and I said he could. He was traveling and headed back home to California. I wished him a safe trip. I want to thank everyone who honked and waved this morning to help me honor this hero.
She will not be forgotten !
