I was able to attend Jake's funeral, and the outpouring of love and support was evident in the amount of people who filled the small church that day. People continued to enter the chapel, and I remember frequently looking around me to determine where all these people were going to sit. There was a line that wrapped around the building and into the parking lot before I had even gotten into the building. As hard a day as this was, I prayed that the amount of people there would bring some sort of peace to Jake's family. The funeral was a beautiful tribute to the life of our hometown hero. Before Jake was a soldier, he was a bright-eyed little boy that would give anything to make people laugh. Heidi shared with me one of her favorite Jake quotes, "Second grade. The best two years of my life." Jake never liked school and had repeated second grade, not for lack of intelligence, but the lack of attention. When Jake was interested in something, he excelled at it. When he wasn't interested, you could forget it. Growing up Jake played every sport there was, but...baseball was life. He also loved his Colorado Rockies and went to games any chance he could. His mom says, "He had a love and enthusiasm for life that was infectious. It was rare to be around him without smiling, and this was true for everyone he knew. He never met an enemy until he entered the battlefield, because everyone was his friend."

Jake's mom recalls his extensive interest in the military from a young age. She says she's been vacuuming up little green army guys for years! Jake was always fascinated by World War II and shared with Heidi that "There will never be soldiers like them again." He had so much admiration and respect for World War II veterans. Fast forward many years, and it just so happened that where Jake is buried he is surrounded by World War II veterans. The government chose where Jake was going to be buried but we all know this was no coincidence.

Heidi recalls that from the moment Jake could hold a pencil, he was drawing. She remembers, "Teachers sometimes complained about his constant doodling in class, but some teachers realized they could use this love for drawing as an incentive, and in these classrooms he thrived. He was a published artist in elementary school when the superintendent chose a piece of his artwork to be on his stationery for the school year. While deployed, his talent became apparent and he designed deployment shirts for his platoon." Ironically enough, while in college, Jake failed an art class. In utter shock, his mom asked how? Jake shared that this class had due dates for all the assignments and he said: "You can't rush creativity."

Jake was truly a light in everyone's life. Heidi shares that the thing she often misses the most is Jake walking through the door with a big smile on his face ready to make her laugh. He was very emotionally intuitive as well. He could read people and always knew when something was wrong. Heidi recalls multiple incidents where she had a rough day, and no matter how well she thought she could hide it, Jake always knew. Jake loved dogs. Dogs were of equal value to him as were people. It didn't matter where he went, if someone had a dog, he would be on the floor with it. He loved his dogs Max and Molly and in many reunion videos, it was clear to see they loved him too and were very aware of his absence. He often told Heidi that he loved seeing the dogs they would run into in Afghanistan because even for just a fleeting moment, they would help him forget about the war.

Jake and his mother Heidi were active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints and I know Heidi credits a lot of her strength to her faith. After trying out many different churches, Jake and his mother were invited to the LDS church by a friend many years ago. 15 minutes into their first church service, Jake leaned over to his mom and said, "Mom this is where we're supposed to be." In 2006, Jake and his mom were baptized and confirmed members of the church. From that day forward, Jake was always involved and that involvement continued all the way through high school and college and on into the military. Heidi shares, "Jake was a boy who always believed in God and had a relationship with Jesus Christ. His Christ-like attributes (or gifts) were forgiveness and repentance. When he did something wrong, he was quick to repent and move on, trying to be a better person."

Jake was often surrounded by friends and would ask his mom to have friends over every day. Heidi says that Jake really never wanted to be alone and was his happiest when he was surrounded by friends and family. He truly was a people person. Heidi says that his mission in life was to live the spirits of everyone around him and that is definitely what he did.

"You must be needed elsewhere for something extremely important because I know how much we need you here. You will always be the sunshine in my life, even in memory. That's how much you shine on. I love you with my whole heart my son, that is why it hurts so deeply."

One of the most profound quotes I've read from Jake's mother. I have been blown away by her strength and her understanding of Jake's role in this life. Jake's gold star family has been doing amazing things since his passing. His mom Heidi frequently volunteers her time at the VA Hospital helping Jake's brothers and sisters in arms. According to Jake's commander, "“Never one to complain, Jake’s smile and presence kept his squad and platoon’s morale high. A devout Christian, Jake’s strong personality and unwavering faith helped steady his buddies in stressful or lonely times. Also, a prankster and practical joker by nature, his sense of humor enabled others to laugh at him, and in turn laugh at themselves in tense and anxious moments. This soldier seemed to defeat fear with his mere presence. A rarity for someone so junior in rank, but very senior in heart and courage. PFC Wykstra was a great soldier, but he was an even better human being. I hold him in the highest regard as a professional soldier, and a person. His service to this nation - exemplary. His training proficiency and aptitude – the top 1%. His potential for future responsibility and leadership – without bounds. His notoriety, attitude, and laughter among his peers – infectious. His squad mates loved him – and he them.”

I leave you with a quote from Jake that was discovered by his mom among his things.

"We live to die but we die to live again."

I plead with you to remember the true reason we recognize Memorial Day every year. Remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Remember their families, who have to go on without them and wake up every morning without their loved ones. Remember that they are the real reason that this holiday exists and it is our sacred duty to remember them. Jake, I hold the gift your mother gave me in your honor very close to my heart. I am forever indebted to you for your sacrifice.

Thank you, Jake.