Mission Complete: Jaime Jaenke, Iowa Falls Iowa June 13^th & 14^th, 2006

“Where ya from?”. This question almost always comes up when 2 military service members meet for the first time. To answer this question, a person only needs to pick a point on an American map. Some may say, “Home is where the heart is”. For a sailor, soldier, airman or marine, “home” has a special meaning. Home is what keeps a service man or woman going onward during long deployments. Home is sometimes what they think of when facing great danger. Family, close friends, co-workers and schoolmates occupy the minds of troops during what little free time they may have. Going home means the job is done and it is time to rest.

For Petty Officer Jaime Jaenke, home was Iowa Falls, Iowa. Through out her 29 years, she had lived in different places in different states with her parents Larry and Susan. The farming community of central Iowa was their true home. Jaime’s dream of raising fine Arabian horses and becoming a nurse were both well on their way to being fulfilled. Her skills and compassion as a trained EMT demonstrated her caring and giving personality. If this alone were not enough, Jaime took her sense of duty, honor and commitment to the next level by enlisting in the US Navy Reserve as a medical specialist. Assigned to the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 25, more commonly known as “Seabee’s”, Jaenke became a hospital corpsman performing similar duties to an EMT. She was deployed to Iraq along with her shipmates in March of 2006 and had completed 25 successful escort missions. The world lost this wonderful woman on June 5^th when her vehicle was struck by an I.E.D.  in the Al Anbar province. Another Midwesterner and Seabee, Petty Officer 1^st Class Gary Rovinski from Roseville, Illinois was also lost.

Jamie’s father Larry, expressed great interest in having the PGR participate in honoring his daughter. Stating that “she’d really enjoy seeing that”, referring to a motorcycle escort, the wheels were set in motion. When the suggestion was given to Mr. Jaenke for the PGR to provide a motorcycle escort from the airport in Des Moines to Iowa Falls, he became excited saying, “That’d be great”.

The escort missions are a little tricky to plan because there are so many more variables to consider. When a fallen hero is returned home from the Middle East, they usually come in to Dover, Delaware. From there, they are flown to the service member’s home state normally using the largest airport in the area such as O’Hare in Chicago for Illinois and Des Moines for Iowa. Initially, Jaime was expected in DSM on Monday the 12^th. The flight was delayed 24 hours to 5:55pm on the 13^th. The visitation mission was cancelled due to this. A question of airport security left some doubt as to where the PGR could assemble when the mission was first planned. This issue was resolved, but only shortly before the flight was scheduled to land. The aircraft arrived early and a quick round up of Riders was done. Thank you Riders for reacting quickly to a changing situation. We must also thank the DSM Police for help getting us out of the airport as a group and the county deputies of Polk, Story and Hardin Counties for their assistance in getting us to Iowa Falls quickly and safely. For the last leg of the trip between US 20, Alden and Iowa Falls, a fire truck joined the motorcade that included LEOs, the coach, Mr. Jaenke and his sons, the Navy Honor Guard and finally the PGR. An exact count was not taken, but an estimated 30-40 motorcycles had the honor of escorting Jaime and her family home.

As the motorcade entered the outskirts of Iowa Falls, a remarkable site was seen. Ball games were temporarily halted; people came out of their homes and businesses. Children, teens and elderly folks all lined both sides of the road. Some held American flags, most rendered honors by saluting or holding their right hands over their hearts. All were solemn and still as the coach passed, then stopped in front of Linns Funeral Home. Riders parked at the elementary school across the street. Several PGR members and local citizens were already in place, flags in hand. Joined by the escort Riders, IFPD blocked off the street and allowed the PGR to come forward very close to the Navy Honor Guard. This was a very emotional moment as Jaime’s casket was removed from the coach and slowly taken into the funeral home.

A mission debrief was performed and feedback was taken for two different ideas regarding the Honor Mission the next day. A quick reconnaissance of the staging area was done and ideas were exchanged over a shared meal at Dairy Queen. A BIG thanks goes out to Chuck “Hummey” Humested for all you did!

The day of the Honor Mission began with threatening skies overhead. Riders from the north endured more than just the threat of liquid sunshine. Being the hearty souls they are from the great white north, they pressed on to arrive safely at Wal Mart in Iowa Falls. The manager of this store was kind enough to let the PGR use a portion of their parking lot to assemble and begin this phase of the mission. Thank you Wal Mart for supporting us while we support this family. More and more Riders arrived from all directions covering untold distances. An SUV was set up by “Reco” with cold bottled water donated by Hy Vee, final plans and coordination’s were made, assistant RCs were briefed and the stage was soon set.

The mission brief began and approx 11:40 am, slightly earlier than posted to allow for questions and more detailed explanations of procedures to follow. With the mission brief completed motors were running at 11:55 and clutches released at 12:00 noon. Capt Mc Daniel of the IFPD personally led 90 Riders from Wal Mart to the north side of Estes Park. This was the final staging and parking area before the church. Twenty-five “lead bikes” were designated to escort directly in front of the coach during the procession to the cemetery in Alden. The remainder of Riders would depart from the services early to post a “tunnel of flags” near the entrance to the cemetery.

Riders dismounted, assembled flags and preceded on foot the front to the Methodist Church where services were to be held. In the middle of Main Street lies a shaded, grassy median, which was perfect for the PGR to form up and display their flags. Everyone was in place right on schedule so Riders were encouraged to take a break and return to the Baptist Church adjacent to Estes Park for refreshments prepared by the ladies of the church. Thank you ladies.

The long line of flag bearers was greeted and personally thanked by so many individuals. Friends and neighbors, Navy NCOs and officers, even members of the Jaenke family took the time to go out of their way and show their appreciation for the PGR. Skies darkened further, winds picked up and raindrops could soon be felt. Soon, the funeral director appeared at the door of the church offering the PGR the opportunity of coming inside out of the rain. When this option was given to the individuals on the line, the PGR stood fast! Knowing in their hearts that our service members have endured much more difficult conditions, Riders felt that a little bit of rain was an easy burden to bear.

A short service had been planned so Riders were being reorganized to detach the majority to Alden Cemetery and assemble the tunnel of flags. While this task was under way, an urgent message was received from Alden. Cemetery workers reported being harassed while preparing Jaenke’s final resting place. Assuming these were protestors, phone calls were made to pre-planned county and state LEOs in the area. Prior examination of the cemetery area revealed a gravel road extending west past the cemetery entrance. LEOs were asked to place these individuals 500 feet down this road in accordance with Iowa law. Riders were rebriefed on the situation and reminded of the mission statement. Focus on the Honor Mission and ignoring any protestors was stressed. Hummey then took charge of this phase and proceeded to Alden. When LEOs and Riders arrived at the cemetery, no protestors were found. It is unknown as to exactly who the people were when the site was being prepared or where they went. No other, disruptions occurred from then on.

Some time passed after the expected conclusion of services. This time was spent quietly visiting among the ranks. Veterans of several generations were able to share a few moments of brotherhood during this period. The time did come to do what we all came to do. That is to honor, respect and accompany this brave woman and her family to her final resting place. The coach and other motorcade vehicles were readied, the PGR prepared and each individual braced for an emotional moment. Slowly, mournfully, the minister first appeared in the door of the church, followed by the Navy personnel with Jaime’s casket, her daughter Kayla, father Larry and Mother Susan. Little 9-year-old Kayla was absolutely beautiful in her white lace dress, white gloves and long, wavy blonde hair. Walking beside her was her grandfather Larry, tall, strong, impressive looking in his black suit and matching black cowboy hat. One could sense the deepest sorrow, yet the greatest of pride in this family. It could easily be seen as to where Jaime got her strength, pride, compassion and love just by the way this family carried themselves. These traits have clearly been passed down to Kayla as well.

When the motorcade was ready, the 25 Riders were released to their bikes to prepare for the ride to Alden. A missing man formation was comprised of 5 Army personnel in uniform. Motorcycles of all types carrying large flags rounded out with the remaining escort. IFPD once again did a superb job in getting the procession under way. The PGR fell into the formation behind the military vehicles and in front of the coach. Passenger pegs were down at this point on machines so equipped. Despite road construction and damp pavement conditions the procession made it safely down the 10 miles to Alden. People lined the streets and roadways the entire way. Construction workers, firefighters, citizens and children stood with hands over hearts, holding flags and rendering honors. Upon reaching the cemetery the tunnel of flags was a sight to behold. They were placed on a slight uphill grade so they presented an ascending cascade effect. Hummey did an excellent job in setting this up.

With such a small and congested cemetery, it was important to keep the motorcycles out of the way once halted. A road farthest opposite of the entrance was chosen to park and dismount. The PGR was formed up just to the rear and left of family canopy as Riders from the tunnel of flags joined the ranks. Navy personnel performed flawlessly as they laid their shipmate to rest. Family and close friends released red, white and blue balloons into the air. Taps was played, the Flag folded and the 21-gun salute were all performed to the highest military standard. The PGR stood quietly in the background echoing the commands of the military. Little Kayla sat solidly as she was presented with her mother’s Flag.

Now came the time to say goodbye. Mr. Jaenke and his family departed the area. The PGR was wished a safe ride home and dismissed. Final handshakes and hugs were exchanged. Jaime Jaenke is home now. This mission is complete. It’s time to ride home.

Ride safe,

Preach

90 bikes were counted, with many riders dealing with torrential rains to get to this mission. What do you say, when first a grandfather, then a father, of a fallen hero walks the avenue of flags and thanks you for coming? Rain isn't any wetter than tears.  And once again, church ladies refused our thanks for their cookies and coffee, and instead insisted on thanking us for being there. 

Each mission seems to have a special memory.  I'll always remember the image of the family member, who upon leaving the graveside service for her loved one,  turned toward us, and blew us all a kiss.

And then there were the two young ladies, who stood quietly with the flag bearers remaining at the church,  to honor their classmate's mother.  See their picture, along with the other


Mission photos at the link below. Please feel free to copy and keep any that you wish.


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Rest in Peace, Jaime.  It was our privilege to stand watch.