Our walk today was dedicated in honor of :
Army SGT James L. Wilson, Jr., Age 28 of San Marcos, CA
Died Apr. 3, 2021
Jamie was born in Oceanside, CA May 26, 1992 and passed on April 3, 2021. He attended Advanced Individual Training (AIT) to be a field Artillery Cannoneer at Fort Sill, Oklahoma in 2016. My son served as a Cannon Crew Member and Gunner from 2016-2018 in 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Riley, KS. He deployed for eight months in 2017 with his unit to Poland. Jamie was reassigned to 2nd Battalion 77th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Carson, CO in November 2018, where he served as an Ammunation Team Chief for 6th Section, 2nd Platoon, Alpha Battery. Jamie supported the battery’s multiple rotations to the National Training Center and Joint Readiness Training Center in 2019. In 2020 Jamie played an integral part in the battery’s COVID-19 Response, and he set the example for leaders across the formation by implementing the Army’s People First initiatives – “STEEL.”
His awards include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with Two Oak leaf clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon. In addition to AIT, Jamie is a graduate of the basic leader course, bus driver course and small arms maintainer (U6) course.
Jamie’s passions where cooking, fishing, and people. He stayed back for the holidays so he could cook a big feast for the soldiers that had no family or place to go for the holidays. Jamie was there to help his soldiers – those that had mental issues such as suicidal thoughts. He would drive them around and support them even as late as 3am to try to share and give them reasons why their lives mattered. Sometimes he was successful and sometimes he was not. He was heartbroken and defeated when one of these soldiers took their life. Jamie was also left to pick up after the ones that succeeded.
Jamie took a culinary class in high school. His dream was to have his very own restaurant. He loved to fish, hike, and loved the Colorado Rockies. Jamie loved his family and was such an amazing son. He was extremely caring and respectful of others. He got into wood turning and sent me his very first mini goblet. I also received 2 big goblets the day before he passed.
When he passed away, I went to Ft. Carson for his unit service. There were many soldiers who flew in and told me how Jamie was the last person they would have thought would have taken his life. The told me how kind and caring my son was, and how if it wasn’t for him, they would not be here today.
Places he called home: San Marcos, CA and CO
Resting place is with his mother at home in IL.
It was a great honor to walk 8.76 Miles with Army SGT James L. Wilson, Jr. today. We walked by Holiday Hills Lake and then headed towards town where we stopped in at the Veterans Memorial Park. We read several names on of our brothers on the Memorial Wall. We then headed north and made a stop in at the Centennial Park where they was playing baseball. We then made our way over to the 9/11 Memorial. We had a moment of silence and then headed back towards the house. I want to thank everyone who honked, waved, and saluted in helping us honor this hero. We had 317 honks today. It was amazing. Thank you.
