Fotos from Jenny 8/24/03
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Jennifer Jerow
ENG 1010-31994
Michael Carey
Narrative Essay

On that early morning of 25 November 2003, I was the convoy commander of a supply mission which included going outside our base into harm's way. It started off to be a mission as usual but, it became a dramatic and life changing experience. We loaded up our trucks with food, water, and other supplies to re-supply the soldiers outside the gate. I gave a safety briefing and all the soldiers got into their trucks. There were three vehicles in our convoy and I was in the middle truck with the most fire power. Everyone made sure we were all able to communicate with each other and our command post. We started our engines and began our journey that had become so routine that we had become passive about the danger that awaited us that foggy morning. As we passed outside the gate, we loaded out weapons in preparation for anything that came our way. We drove for about thirty minutes and realized that none of the Iraqi people were out which, was not a good sign. We made it to the first military checkpoint and waved to our fellow soldiers as we continued on our journey. It was not long after that when we ran into disaster.

I looked over at my driver and said, "This seems eerie that there is no one around this morning." He agreed and we became skeptical about what may happen before we would get to our final destination. All of a sudden we heard two big explosions, our truck was shaking and the front windshield of the truck was blown out and they were started swerving. I quickly looked at my G.P.S. to retrieve the grid coordinates, called them into the command post to request reinforcement. I then radioed all the vehicles to assess the damage and all the vehicles reported no bodily harm. They told us to go onto our final destination and they would send infantry out to secure the area. Every soldier's heart was racing but, we had to have the courage to move out of harm's way to our final destination.

After reaching our destination and unloading the supplies, it was time to make the journey back to the base. I was terrified about the trip home because I was scared to be attacked again. As we came up on the explosive site, the infantry had already secured the area and one of the infantry soldiers came up to our truck and said, "You guys were lucky because only two out of the three explosives went off and the third one would have caused fatal injuries." My heart dropped and tears began to run down my face as I realized how lucky we had been.

There is not a day that passes that I do not think about what if the third explosive went off. This personal experience has caused me to be grateful for human life and that each and every day is a gift to be cherished.

Jenny Update:
Rec'd.: Monday, Jan. 26, 2004
SGT. Jennifer Jerow returned home to Maryland on December 28th. After a short visit with family and friends she reported back to duty at with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. She will be getting ready for the return of the rest of the division that will arrive over the next several weeks. Her ten month tour in Iraq provided her with a greater appreciation for what we have in this country and an understanding of the meaning of freedom.

"Welcome back Jenny"

Jenny Update:
Rec'd.: Monday, Oct. 20, 2003

Today, Jenny visited 6 classes at Northern High School & discussed various aspects of the war in Iraq. She was also interviewed by the school newspaper and was on a live broadcast of the school TV network.

Jenny Update:
Rec'd.: Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003

Jenny has been invited to speak to students at both Huntingtown Elementary and Northern High School. She has had many experiences that most young people will never have and they have made her a better person. She has a greater appreciation for the USA and the people who served in the armed forces before her. She is ready to go back and complete her "MISSION".

Sgt. Jenny Jerow would love to hear from people in the states. Her e-mail is: jennifer.jerow@us.army.mil

Jenny Update:
Rec'd.: Monday, Sep. 29, 2003
Sgt Jennifer Jerow will return home for R&R beginning on October 15. She is with the 101st Airborne Division. It was quite a shock to her and the other soldiers that their six month deployment orders had been changed to a year. She felt very lucky to get a chance to be one of the first in her company to come home even for a short time. She plans to visit Huntingtown Elementary School and Northern High School. Her brother Sgt Robert Jerow will be leaving for Iraq in February.

Jenny Update:

Rec'd.: Monday, May 19, 2003

Jennifer is now in Mosul, Iraq. The attack helicopter unit is on a peace keeping mission in the region. She expects to be back in the USA by late September.

Life has improved for the unit because they now operate out of an airport that has normal buildings. They also have access to internet so they are able to write home on a regular basis.

Jenny Update:

Thursday, April 10th
Sgt. Jennifer Jerow arrived safe & sound at Baghdad International Airport.

Jenny Update:
Rec'd.: Sunday, March 02, 2003 11:25 AM
Subject: Jenny Jerow n Kuwait

Jennifer arrived in Kuwait yesterday and will be there for for the next several months. We do not expect to hear from her for several weeks.

Jenny Update:
Rec'd.: Friday, February 07, 2003 12:23 AM
Subject: Jenny Jerow Deployed

Last year Jenny spent six month in Afghanistan and she now will be going to the Middle East. The 101st Airborne Division, 3rd Aviation Battalion was given orders to deploy to the Middle East on Thursday. They are a rapid deployment unit so they could be on their way by Sunday.

Kudos to Sgt. Jennifer Jerow, Member of POST 206.

Jennifer Jerow was just promoted to Sgt., she was the youngest person to join Post 206 at age 17. Sgt. Jerow spent last Mar. - Aug. in Afghanistan & received her combat ribbon.

Way to go Jenny!!