He joined the ROTC while in high school and upon graduation, enlisted in the National Guard before ultimately joining the United States Army. Staff Sgt. Jessen’s first of three tours in Iraq occurred shortly after Operation Desert Storm when he helped dispose of explosives left over from the war. In 2004, he returned through service in Operation Iraqi Freedom, only to return for a third tour six months after his second was completed.

While serving in a foreign land seemingly worlds away from home, his heart and thoughts were undoubtedly never far from his wife, Carrie, and his 2-year old son, Cameron. Between tours of duty, this battle-hardened soldier was often found changing diapers or handling bottle feedings in the middle of the night. It was the proud duty of a man who loved his family so very much and it was symbolic of his devotion to them. Throughout his time in Iraq, Staff Sgt. Jessen’s role as an explosives ordinance disposal technician ensured that he was often called upon to disarm roadside bombs. Although it continually placed him in the line of danger, he selflessly saw it as his duty to help protect the lives of his fellow soldiers as well as the lives of Iraqi civilians.

Tragically, while serving on a post-blast investigation on March 4th, 2006, he was killed by a secondary explosion in Rawah, Iraq. At Staff Sgt. Jessen’s memorial service, he was laid to rest with full military honors. Hundreds of family, friends and those wishing to pay their respects joined together to remember this young Arkansan and to honor the life he led. Along his funeral procession, members of a grateful community endured the cold weather to honor this fallen hero, many with hands held over the hearts and waving American flags.

At the cemetery, the American flag that had draped Staff Sgt. Jessen's casket was folded and presented to Carrie and Cameron as a token of remembrance of the man they loved and the sacrifice he made on behalf of us all. Although the 28 years that Kevin Jessen spent with us were far too short, I am hopeful that his friends, family, and loved ones find some solace knowing that he touched the lives so many. He set examples of devotion to family and country that we should all follow, and he led an honorable life of love and selflessness that will continue to serve as an inspiration to us all. My thoughts and prayers are with Carrie, Cameron, and all those who knew and loved this fallen hero.