thedrifter
08-15-07, 08:48 AM
A red, white, & blue farewell
Sgt. Justin Jenson leaves for 2nd tour of duty in Iraq
By Dwight Otwell Editor
A police escort stopped in front of the United Methodist Church on Valley River Avenue beside a group of flag waving, applauding people.
All of the commotion was for Sgt. Justin Jenson who was handed a flag. He entered the church with his family, friends and veterans from the local Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Marine Corps League.
It was a surprise early birthday party and farewell to the 2003 graduate of Hiwassee Dam High School. Sgt. Jenson was to deploy this week for his second tour of duty in Iraq.
Jenson went into the Marines directly from high school. He is married to Dorothy and they have three children, Tony 6, Isaac 3, and baby Isabella.
Jenson, 22, said that during his first tour of Iraq, he was a cook and prepared meals for 1,000 marines twice a day.
Jenson signed up for another four years in the Marines, knowing that he would be sent to Iraq again. This time, he will be part of a security task force in the vicinity of Camp Fallujah.
"I see it as part of my job," he said. " It makes me a better person. But it is hard to be away from my family. I plan to do at least 20 years (in the Marines).
Debbie Jenson, Sgt. Jenson's mother, said, "It scares me. You listen to the news and it puts a fear into you. The thought of losing your child, one of only two, you hope God will be with him. I only have two children. He is my oldest. I don't want to think about losing my only son. He has three great kids and a wife to come home to. I think nowadays, people have forgotten these guys and girls over there. They really need that support."
During Sgt. Jenson's first tour in Iraq, he was allowed to come home a little early because his father died.
Elmer Colbert, a friend and ex-Marine, said of Sgt. Jenson, "He's outstanding. We're brothers. He's a good, young Marine."
Craig Bentley said of Sgt. Jenson, "He's a great guy - a good person."
A letter from Murphy Mayor Bill Hughes was read to the crowd. Hughes said, "Thanks to you and many others like you, our country will remain free."
Sen. John Snow talked to Sgt. Jenson via the telephone.
Lynn Butts, a family friend, had the vision to have the party for Sgt. Jenson. Her 12-year-old daughter Siera was also very instrumental in the planning. The American flags came from Dollar General in Peachtree, which gave a huge discount.
Ellie
Sgt. Justin Jenson leaves for 2nd tour of duty in Iraq
By Dwight Otwell Editor
A police escort stopped in front of the United Methodist Church on Valley River Avenue beside a group of flag waving, applauding people.
All of the commotion was for Sgt. Justin Jenson who was handed a flag. He entered the church with his family, friends and veterans from the local Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Marine Corps League.
It was a surprise early birthday party and farewell to the 2003 graduate of Hiwassee Dam High School. Sgt. Jenson was to deploy this week for his second tour of duty in Iraq.
Jenson went into the Marines directly from high school. He is married to Dorothy and they have three children, Tony 6, Isaac 3, and baby Isabella.
Jenson, 22, said that during his first tour of Iraq, he was a cook and prepared meals for 1,000 marines twice a day.
Jenson signed up for another four years in the Marines, knowing that he would be sent to Iraq again. This time, he will be part of a security task force in the vicinity of Camp Fallujah.
"I see it as part of my job," he said. " It makes me a better person. But it is hard to be away from my family. I plan to do at least 20 years (in the Marines).
Debbie Jenson, Sgt. Jenson's mother, said, "It scares me. You listen to the news and it puts a fear into you. The thought of losing your child, one of only two, you hope God will be with him. I only have two children. He is my oldest. I don't want to think about losing my only son. He has three great kids and a wife to come home to. I think nowadays, people have forgotten these guys and girls over there. They really need that support."
During Sgt. Jenson's first tour in Iraq, he was allowed to come home a little early because his father died.
Elmer Colbert, a friend and ex-Marine, said of Sgt. Jenson, "He's outstanding. We're brothers. He's a good, young Marine."
Craig Bentley said of Sgt. Jenson, "He's a great guy - a good person."
A letter from Murphy Mayor Bill Hughes was read to the crowd. Hughes said, "Thanks to you and many others like you, our country will remain free."
Sen. John Snow talked to Sgt. Jenson via the telephone.
Lynn Butts, a family friend, had the vision to have the party for Sgt. Jenson. Her 12-year-old daughter Siera was also very instrumental in the planning. The American flags came from Dollar General in Peachtree, which gave a huge discount.
Ellie