Farewell, Jason

Jason Dane Hovater

August 10, 1983 - July 13, 2008

Last Sunday our country lost one of its best.

Army Weapons Specialist Jason Hovater was killed in action in Afghanistan early Sunday morning, July 13, 2008. His body was laid to rest today with full military honors in the Tennessee Military Cemetery in Knoxville.

Some of the soldiers with him said he died trying to save his friends. Apparently he was in a safe location, saw three of his friends in a dangerous spot, grabbed his gear and went to help them, sacrificing his life in the process. Jason is truly a hero.

This hits close to home for me. This isn't simply another East Tennessee soldier killed in action (and each soldier lost is a great loss). Jason was a soldier with a passionate love for the Lord and a personal acquaintance of mine. I went to church with Jason at New Covenant Fellowship for about three years. While we weren't close friends, I still knew him and have been truly saddened and touched by his passing. I still can't fully wrap my mind around the fact that he's gone.

And I can attest that everything I've heard about Jason in the various reports and tributes following his death is true. Jason loved the Lord, he loved Jenna, he loved his family, he loved music and worshipping the Lord, he loved his country, he loved to laugh and make others laugh, he flat out loved life. And he was full of life. I think that's one of the things that seems so hard about his death. One can't help but ask, "Why?" He was so full of life and had so much going for him. The only answer to that is simply to trust that God has his reasons. He is worshipping in the very presence of the Lord at this very moment. I firmly believe that.

As a news intern at WBIR, I was able to help behind-the-scenes in the initial story we did on Jason's death. While it was sad and sometimes difficult to work on a story on Jason's death, it was also a privilege to be able to help show people who Jason was and help them see that Jason wasn't just another Army number. It was our hope that our story would show people the real Jason. It was and is my prayer that God will be glorified through Jason's life and death.

Here are some links to learn more about Jason and his story:
"East Tennessee soldier's body returns home"
"Friends and family say goodbye to soldier killed in Afghanistan"
"Hundreds gather to lay to final rest fallen Lake City soldier"
"East Tennessee soldier killed in Afghanistan laid to rest"

I also want to encourage people to watch this interview with Jason's wife, Jenna. I thought Jenna did an absolutely outstanding job with the interview. I am so proud of her. I can't even begin to imagine the pain she is going through right now, but she's standing strong and clinging to God to help get her through. My prayers are definitely with her and Jason's entire family.

Farewell, Jason. You are a hero. Although it seems to us that your life was cut short way too soon, you made a difference here and you will be greatly missed. I will see you again someday.