By Rich Herrera @RBIRich

May 21st is just another day for most people, but for one family in California it can never be just another day. For them May 21st is a day that rocked their world to it’s foundation and their world would never again be the same. May 21st 2009 is the day they lost their son Major Jason George USMA Class of 1994. To his family he was their son, to the American people he is a hero, to me he is friend, a fraternity brother, and someone I will always be in awe of.

Jason George was always special even before he wore a uniform. He was one of the best our nation had to offer. But he was also a normal person, he was a lot like you and me. He walked next to us, he went to school with us, he ate lunch with us, but there was always something about him that set him apart from the rest of us. He was a Scout like many of us who joined in grade school. We all put on that uniform and neckerchief. The difference he excelled and became an Eagle Scout while the rest of us got bored after a while and went on to do other things in our youth.

He and I went to school together at Cal Sate University Bakersfield. He joined Sigma Pi and we became fraternity brothers. He was a pledge and became an initiated brother and and then a leader in the house. He was a special young man back then and went on to bigger and better things after we parted ways. He went on to get an MBA at The University of Michigan after graduating from West Point. He served eight years of active duty including a tour overseas in Bosnia. When I found out what he accomplished I was blown away. To me, he was just a kid that I played softball a few years ago, and now he has became a West Point Graduate. The whole time, Jason was just Jason, he was a kid with a smile that would light up a room. He was just like the rest of us, but there was something special that separated him from you and me.

The when I found out the news hit me like a bolt of lightning. Jason was killed on this day May 21st 2009 in Bagdad Iraq. He had been recalled to duty after serving his 8 year commitment. Because he had his MBA from Michigan, the Army wanted him to help rebuild Iraq after the fall of Saddam. He was chosen to be part of a unit that was there to help the local people who had been ravaged by the years under the Iraq rulers and were still feeling the effects gulf war. His assignment was to help rebuild the local market place in Bagdad. Did he have to be there? I don’t know. He has already finished his 8 year obligation, but our country asked for his service once again. He was called back to active duty to help people half a world away. Some people might have tried to get out of it. But not Jason, he put his life in Chicago on hold and did his duty.

I have been told as an officer in his unit he wasn’t supposed to be nor required to be out in harm’s way. But knowing Jason, I have no doubt that he never let that idea cross his mind. I can see him in my mind’s eye shrugging his shoulders with that great big grin as he went off to work that day. He was there to do a task and that is what he was going to do. He was out with his men meeting with locals, when he met his fate.

He was killed with three other servicemen in his unit, along with some innocent Iraq civilians, people he was working with, who were just trying to live their daily lives. His life was taken by a suicide bomber who attacked them without notice. I often wonder what through his mind when that moment came. In the flash of an instant a special life was taken, and the world was a less special place.

I have thought of him often since that day. I have cried and smiled at his memory. I have though of all things I wanted to say to him. I have thought about how angry I am that is life was taken senselessly. I have thought about how cool it would be to have one more beer with him. I have thought him and how I would have loved to tell him about my family and how proud I would have been to introduce him to my son who wants to go to West Point one day. I would love to tell him how cool it was to go to the Army Navy game in Philadelphia. I would love to tell him how proud I am of him and how much I love him.

The other thing I would like to tell him about is the legacy that our loss, of our dear friend and brother has created. It has been created by those who knew him and cared about him. From his classmates at West Point to his Sigma Pi Brothers. From those who knew him as young man in California, to those who went to college at CSU Bakersfeild and Michigan. For all of us that knew him, we will never forget him and the person he was in life and to the fallen hero he became . He made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his all for his country while serving others trying to make a difference in the world. He showed us what Heroes are made of. He made us proud to know him, and he keeps us all united in his memory not only on this day, but all days since then and through eternity. GOD BLESS Jason we miss you, we honor you, we thank you and we LOVE YOU Dear Brother.