This day has passed by in a blur, much like it did seven years ago.  I’ve been thinking all day, but nothing I could write seems quite adequate.  This marked a sad anniversary for thousands of families who lost loved ones that day.  I remember going to religion class that day (in college).  We all sat there in silence for about five minutes before our teacher simply said “I do not think anyone has the heart to be here right now.”  And we all left as quietly as we had sat.  One or two kids at the school lost a parent that day.  We went to a candlelight vigil that night.  I just remember a lot of silence.  I remember watching the news each day with the glimmer of hope diminishing that anyone else might be rescued.  My heart breaking when they reported having to stage live rescues for the dogs so they wouldn’t become so discouraged.

I just wanted to take a moment to remember all of the people from the Trade Centers, the Pentagon, the flights that went down, and all of their families.  I can’t begin to imagine, but I hope these people have learned how to live again.

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Meet Jacob M. Thompson. From North Mankato, Minnesota. 26 years young. He has two older brothers, and graduated from Mankato West High School in 1999. He loved fishing, as close as a nearby creek, and as far as Canada and the Gulf Coast. Jacob was awarded a Purple Heart after an injury during his first deployment from November 2004 to October 2005. However, he gave his Purple Heart to another young man that he believed deserved the heart more than he did.

In addition to the Purple Heart, Thompson had also received two Army Commendation medals, two Army Achievement medals, two Army Good Conduct medals, a National Defense Service medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and an Expert Infantryman Badge. After his first tour of duty, instead of bringing back stories of death and destruction, this young man brought back images of soldiers playing with Iraqi kids, children going to school, and women running businesses. He saw the good, the happiness, moments of light in the midst of war. “Mom, Dad, you have no idea all the good that’s happening,” he said.

When Jacob reenlisted for a second tour, his father Charlie Thompson recalled saying to his wife, “This may be the year we get the telephone call.” The end was in sight, Jacob was scheduled to come home in about a month, but on August 6th, 2007, Jacob, along with three soldiers, went home forever. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), of Fort Lewis, Washington. The men suffered wounds when an improvised explosive device detonated in Baqubah during a house search.

“He’s my hero,” his father said.

I feel humbled to have the opportunity to thank Jacob for his sacrifice. To thank his family for supporting their son’s decision to join the fight for our freedom. To look at this picture and see someone barely a year older than me, with gentle eyes and a heart of gold, who laid down his life protecting our country. I would have been honored to know him. Though I live on the other side of the country and have met Jacob only through a single photograph, I will join his family and friends in remembering him.

Click here to help remember the soldiers that gave their all. By name.

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