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America has lost so many of our brightest and best. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n There are those who are of the opinion that the only people who join the military are those who have no other options. \u00a0I believe this demonstrates a huge misunderstanding of the heart of a soldier. \u00a0True, 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. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n No one is forced to join, and thousands, like\u00a0Petty 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. \u00a0My heart goes out to his family for their loss. \u00a0Please join me in remembering this brave young man.<\/em><\/p>\n At the end of the article below is a way you can contribute to his memory. \u00a0Rest in peace,\u00a0Petty Officer Jon T. Tumilson.<\/em><\/p>\n Nora Puls Christopher Santorelli reported on August 23 for The Blaze:<\/p>\n 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\u00a0Navy\u00a0SEAL, including his dog Hawkeye. In fact, Hakeye\u2019s 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.”<\/p>\n The article continues:<\/p>\n The 35-year-old Tumilson died Aug. 6, when a rocket-propelled grenade disabled the helicopter he was \u201cHawkeye is\/was his loyal \u2018son\u2019,\u201d Tumilson\u2019s cousin Lisa Pembleton stated. \u00a0\u201dTo say that\u00a0he was an Tumlinson’s fellow Navy SEALS said\u00a0that Jon was someone with unmatched work ethic and character.<\/p>\n Tumilson wrote a class paper when he was 15 about how he wanted to spend the next 20 years as a Navy SEAL.<\/p>\n \u201cJ.T. was going to be a Navy SEAL come hell or high water,” friend Scott Nichols said of Tumilson, who “If J.T. had known he was going to be shot down when going to the aid of others, he would have went
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\n in. It crashed, killing 30 Americans and eight Afghans. He was posthumously awarded the\u00a0Purple Heart
\n and the Meritorious Service Medal.<\/p>\n
\n amazing man doesn\u2019t do him justice. The loss of Jon to his\u00a0family, military family and friends is
\n immeasurable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n was born in Osage on July 1, 1976, the nation\u2019s bicentennial year, and grew up in Rockford.<\/p>\n
\n anyway,\u2019 said Boe Nankivel, another friend.<\/p>\n