Jackie L. Larsen
 |
| Age: |
|
37 |
| Hometown: |
Tacoma, WA. |
| Date of Death: |
7/17/08 |
| Incident Location: |
Balad Air Base, Iraq |
| Branch of Military: |
|
Air Force |
| Rank: |
.TSgt |
| Unit: |
9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, Calif. |
| Unit's Base: |
Beale Air Force Base, Calif |
|
You did not have to know Technical Sergeant Jackie Larsen well to know that she was a tough and competent NCO. Within the first few days of arriving at Beale, I knew I wasn't walking into my office; I was walking into her office. And if I had any thoughts of not taking care of her paralegals, I had better think again. It made me like her instantly.
Being a tough and competent NCO is an achievement in itself, but I have had the honor of serving with many such Airmen. It is rarer to find a person who, while tough when required, could also reach out and touch others with gentleness and compassion. It was a side of Jackie that many who worked with her never got to see. For those of us that saw Jackie with her mother, we got a treasured glimpse into the warmth and tenderness that lay beneath. For those Airmen to whom she was a mentor, they experienced that compassion -- often mixed with her signature toughness -- in a way that they will honor forever.
Jackie was truly a dedicated servant, to her Nation and to her family. She wasn't flashy about it; she simply saw what needed to be done, and went to work. Last spring, our office received a tasking for one of our paralegals to deploy. The young NCO who was tasked to go downrange had deployed 12 months earlier and was married to a CE troop who had already deployed twice in the last 18 months. That couple had precious little time at home with their 3-year-old daughter. Although Jackie had no children herself, no one needed to tell Jackie what to do. She volunteered to deploy to let that young family spend time growing together.
Last fall, Jackie also had the chance to visit her extended family in the Philippines. To see her face light up as she described the mountain village her family came from was priceless. She talked with a glowing smile about the way the entire family played together -- the children from every home bounding from place to place. It was clear that she had found a place where she could feel at home. It is a great comfort to me that she had glimpsed a future beyond the Air Force that would nurture her in the same way that that she had served others for so long.
Jackie Larsen was a hero to me from the moment I met her for the way she looked out for her folks. As I grew to know her, she became even more of a hero as I learned of the fierce dedication and compassion that lay just beneath her tough exterior. As I honor her ultimate sacrifice, in the service of her Nation and her Air Force, it surely places her among the greatest heroes I have ever known.
11/07/2011Rhonda St Romain
Jackie and I met at Fairchild AFB in 1999 and instantly became friends. She was one tough cookie and I loved that about her. She taught me to "grow a back bone" I remember working very late one night and she showed up at my office with dinner. That was one of the many many great memories I have of her. She loved my family as her own and we loved her the same. Our Walmart trips were some of the best times in my life. we would go to walmart and putter around and look at everything. We shared a love for Shoes!! we would normally close it down. I got to see that funny, gentle, compassionate side of her. She was an amazing person and friend and I Miss her so very much! It was an honor to know her! Fly with the angels my friend and I will see you on the other side!!