In this recurring special feature, Nonahood News recognizes and honors those everyday heroes who have served or are currently serving our country and making a difference in our community. Those who reside in the Lake Nona and surrounding area are our Nona Heroes. This hero had served for almost five years. He enlisted in the Iowa National Guard five months out of high school. I set out to prove them wrong. And I did just that. When I joined, I was a scrawny kid weighing pounds, five feet 10 inches, and seven months later after training, I was pounds [at] six feet two inches.
The specialist explained the backstory behind why he chose the Army National Guard over any other military branch. The moment he said six months at sea, six months on land, I walked over to the Army recruiter. One of my friends and roommates I lived with was already in the Iowa National Guard in a combat MP unit, so I spoke to his recruiter after that.
He made serving my community and state sound rewarding and used national disasters such as flooding, etc. Then I would be brought onto active army orders. Jackson was able to achieve his specialist promotion twice and was promoted quickly.
He was looking forward to any and every challenge of making sergeant, however his time serving was cut short due to an injury.
Some of his greatest memories were created while at basic training at Fort Benning in Georgia. You learn a lot about yourself and your ability. This has helped me throughout my personal and professional life. Going through the deployment in was a true learning experience as well.
