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Monday, May 31, 2010

Brothers In Arms, Part 2


Reposting for Memorial Day
Update: My little brother is now in the Army, serving as a Scout; not deployed yet, praying he never will be!

See "Brothers In Arms, Part 1" HERE


Jesse Daniel Tillery

Of the three stars on the back of Martin Tillery's hat, one of them would now be colored gold. This gold star would indicate the death of the Tillery's youngest son, Jesse Daniel Tillery. Jesse, Jim, and Jared were all serving in the U.S. military in Iraq, until one day when a roadside bomb hit the amphibious vehicle Jesse had been driving.

Jesse loved to read. Even as a young child he would read about military history. World War II was one of his favorite topics because it was the war in which his
grandfather had fought. His parents thought he would become a sailor someday because he often read books about shipwrecks.

Not long after Jesse started school did his parents realize that he was very interested in history. He was not only interested in the military, he was fascinated by it. When he reached high school, there were certain historical events t
hat he knew more about than his teachers did.

Jesse did not take the time to play sports when he was in school; he focused on his friends and family. Tyler Hamel was a boy that Jesse had been friends with throughout elementary school. Unfortunately, they began to lose touch after sixth grade. Tyler and many other people who knew Jesse, described him as genuine and down to earth. His father said, "Anybody who knew Jesse liked him."

Jesse often helped out on Tyler's dad's farm as he was growing up. Dave Hamel operated a small farm in Vesper. Jesse would help bale hay and plant trees during the summer. The Hamel's knew Jesse very well. Dave once described him as very respectful and very polite.

Tillery graduated from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids in 2005. Since he was not very athletic, he began getting in shape for boot camp. His mother was very proud to see him at his boot camp graduation. Jesse shipped out for training at Camp Lejeune in August of that year.

Jesse soon became a member of the 2nd Division of the United States Marine Corps. He enjoyed driving the vehicles and he was good at it. Unfortunately, this interest of his led to his death on December 2nd of 2006. A roadside bomb struck the vehicle he was driving. He was the 64th Wisconsin service member killed in Iraq. Jesse will be in the hearts of those who knew him, forever.

Written by: Mariah Anne Urban
Marshfield Senior High

Jesse was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

A tribute to Jesse, written by his father and shared at the memorial service:

A Tribute To Jesse
~~~~~~~~~
At nineteen years,
we give you tears.
You went to war,
on far off shore.

You gave your life
to plant a seed,
of peace and hope
for those in need.


God took you home
at His embrace,

to share with you
a heaven's place.

The pain in heart
will get no less.
We'll always love
our son Jess.

By Martin J. Tillery


Please remember all of the men and women serving here in America and around the world, and the families that support and love them. I really hope that my brother will not have to go to Iraq again, or Afghanistan for the first time, or some other place that could be dangerous. However, I know that it is his duty if called to do so, and he is well trained to be in any situation. I can not help but worry, he is my brother, and I love him!


(I commissioned this painting for my mom. It shows all three of my brothers in their basic training/boot camp photos, and one of me.)


4 comments:

  1. Glad you wrote in...Praying that the Lord will always be with you no matter what the future holds.
    Isaiah 43:1-3a But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour...
    Prayer BearsMy email address

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  2. Know that I'm here praying as always!
    John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
    Prayer BearsMy email address

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  3. Continuing to lift up prayers!
    Psalms 61:1-4 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
    Prayer Bears
    My email address

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