Editor's note:
I didn't know Jacob Hutchinson personally, but I can read the papers. I know you can, too.
I know we once wore the same patches on the same uniform. I know that, in 2010-2011, he deployed to Eastern Afghanistan with Iowa's 2nd Brigade Combat Team (B.C.T.), 34th Infantry "Red Bull" Division. He was assigned as a member of 2/34 Brigade Special Troops Battalion (2/34th BSTB), and was injured in a May 18, 2011 bomb attack while on vehicular patrol with three other soldiers, also injured, of Iowa's Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment (1-133rd Inf.).
I know that friends of mine have this week called him both a friend, and a fighter. They call him "Hutch" and "Doc." They use the latter term out of respect, and familiarity, and love.
I know that we are losing too many of our soldiers, our veterans, our friends. You expect death in war. You do not expect death at home.
In this moment, I don't know what to else to do but to note his passing by reprinting his obituary. Pray comfort for his family and his friends. Pray for soldiers fighting the same fights. It does not seem like enough, I know. But it is something.
Memorial donations in Hutchinson's name may be made to:
I didn't know Jacob Hutchinson personally, but I can read the papers. I know you can, too.
I know we once wore the same patches on the same uniform. I know that, in 2010-2011, he deployed to Eastern Afghanistan with Iowa's 2nd Brigade Combat Team (B.C.T.), 34th Infantry "Red Bull" Division. He was assigned as a member of 2/34 Brigade Special Troops Battalion (2/34th BSTB), and was injured in a May 18, 2011 bomb attack while on vehicular patrol with three other soldiers, also injured, of Iowa's Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment (1-133rd Inf.).
I know that friends of mine have this week called him both a friend, and a fighter. They call him "Hutch" and "Doc." They use the latter term out of respect, and familiarity, and love.
I know that we are losing too many of our soldiers, our veterans, our friends. You expect death in war. You do not expect death at home.
In this moment, I don't know what to else to do but to note his passing by reprinting his obituary. Pray comfort for his family and his friends. Pray for soldiers fighting the same fights. It does not seem like enough, I know. But it is something.
Memorial donations in Hutchinson's name may be made to:
The Center for the Intrepid*****
3851 Roger Brooke Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78234
OBITUARY: JACOB A. HUTCHINSON
Sgt. Jacob A. Hutchinson, 24, formerly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died on April 22, 2014 in Bloomington, Ind.
A memorial service with military honors will be held 2:00 p.m. Sat., Apr. 26, 2014 at the First Lutheran Church officiated by the Rev. Steven Knudson. Visitation is 5 to 7 p.m. Fri., Apr. 25 at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids. Inurnment will take place at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, near Van Meter, at a later date.
Jacob was born March 7, 1990 in Ames, Iowa. He received his associate of arts degree. He served honorably as a combat medic in the Iowa Army National Guard. He sustained an I.E.D. injury while deployed to Afghanistan. He was awarded a Purple Heart medal and a Combat Medic Badge for his service, caring for his fellow soldiers who were also injured. He spent nineteen months at the Center for the Intrepid in Texas, where he underwent more than 20 surgeries. He was a good soldier and took great pride in serving his country.
Jacob enjoyed socializing and was often the life of the party. He never met a stranger, and counted many as his close friends. He enjoyed going to the shooting range, loved working out, and training his dogs.
He is survived by his mother, Sela Gonlubol of Cedar Rapids; sister Maya Gonlubol of Cedar Rapids; maternal grandmother Charlotte Kirkegaard of Osage; aunt Sarah (Mark) Campbell of Osage; uncle Scot (Kenny) Kirkegaard of Dallas, Texas; aunt Ayse Gonlubol (Greg Guthrie) of Beaverton, Oregon; uncle Ali (Lale) Gonlubol of Florida; cousins Christian, Simon, Chloe, Kemal, and Leyla; ex-wife and friend Alexandria Young of Cedar Rapids; his beloved dogs Brownie and Nito; as well as girlfriend Alanna Blake of Bloomington, Indiana.
Jacob was preceded in death by his step-father Ahmet Gonlubol; maternal grandfather the Rev. Anton Kirkegaard; and paternal grandmother Munire Gonlubol.
Sgt. Jacob A. Hutchinson, 24, formerly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died on April 22, 2014 in Bloomington, Ind.A memorial service with military honors will be held 2:00 p.m. Sat., Apr. 26, 2014 at the First Lutheran Church officiated by the Rev. Steven Knudson. Visitation is 5 to 7 p.m. Fri., Apr. 25 at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids. Inurnment will take place at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, near Van Meter, at a later date.
Jacob was born March 7, 1990 in Ames, Iowa. He received his associate of arts degree. He served honorably as a combat medic in the Iowa Army National Guard. He sustained an I.E.D. injury while deployed to Afghanistan. He was awarded a Purple Heart medal and a Combat Medic Badge for his service, caring for his fellow soldiers who were also injured. He spent nineteen months at the Center for the Intrepid in Texas, where he underwent more than 20 surgeries. He was a good soldier and took great pride in serving his country.
Jacob enjoyed socializing and was often the life of the party. He never met a stranger, and counted many as his close friends. He enjoyed going to the shooting range, loved working out, and training his dogs.
He is survived by his mother, Sela Gonlubol of Cedar Rapids; sister Maya Gonlubol of Cedar Rapids; maternal grandmother Charlotte Kirkegaard of Osage; aunt Sarah (Mark) Campbell of Osage; uncle Scot (Kenny) Kirkegaard of Dallas, Texas; aunt Ayse Gonlubol (Greg Guthrie) of Beaverton, Oregon; uncle Ali (Lale) Gonlubol of Florida; cousins Christian, Simon, Chloe, Kemal, and Leyla; ex-wife and friend Alexandria Young of Cedar Rapids; his beloved dogs Brownie and Nito; as well as girlfriend Alanna Blake of Bloomington, Indiana.
Jacob was preceded in death by his step-father Ahmet Gonlubol; maternal grandfather the Rev. Anton Kirkegaard; and paternal grandmother Munire Gonlubol.
Thoughts and prayers for his family and friends..RIP.
ReplyDeleteWords could not express the thanks for sacrifice and service. My heart goes out to family and friends in these times of sorrow and may he now dance amongst the angels.
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