America has lost so many of our brightest and best.  

There are those who are of the opinion that the only people who join the military are those who have no other options.  I believe this demonstrates a huge misunderstanding of the heart of a soldier.  True, there may be those for whom the military offers employment and some security when they can’t find it otherwise, but I believe they represent a minority contingent of those who are serving.  

No one is forced to join, and thousands, like Petty Officer Jon T. Tumilson are in the military because it is what they’ve wanted to do for years. There are those among us who are called to be warriors and this is a short tribute to one such hero.  My heart goes out to his family for their loss.  Please join me in remembering this brave young man.

At the end of the article below is a way you can contribute to his memory.  Rest in peace, Petty Officer Jon T. Tumilson.

Nora Puls
______________________________

Christopher Santorelli reported on August 23 for The Blaze:

Petty Officer Jon T. Tumilsonwas laid to rest Friday in Rockford, Iowa, where an estimated 1,500 mourners came to pay respects for the fallen Navy SEAL, including his dog Hawkeye. In fact, Hakeye’s loyalty to his owner at the funeral was visible, creating a heart-wrenching image as he laid down by the casket of his owner during the entire service.”

The article continues:

The 35-year-old Tumilson died Aug. 6, when a rocket-propelled grenade disabled the helicopter he was
in. It crashed, killing 30 Americans and eight Afghans. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart
and the Meritorious Service Medal.

“Hawkeye is/was his loyal ‘son’,” Tumilson’s cousin Lisa Pembleton stated.  ”To say that he was an
amazing man doesn’t do him justice. The loss of Jon to his family, military family and friends is
immeasurable.”

Tumlinson’s fellow Navy SEALS said that Jon was someone with unmatched work ethic and character.

Tumilson wrote a class paper when he was 15 about how he wanted to spend the next 20 years as a Navy SEAL.

“J.T. was going to be a Navy SEAL come hell or high water,” friend Scott Nichols said of Tumilson, who
was born in Osage on July 1, 1976, the nation’s bicentennial year, and grew up in Rockford.

“If J.T. had known he was going to be shot down when going to the aid of others, he would have went
anyway,’ said Boe Nankivel, another friend.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Frogman238 Memorial Fund, First Security Bank and Trust, 201 West Main Ave., Rockford, Iowa 50468, (641)756-3361, to honor Tumilson’s memory.