As I write this, Jason is about 14 months shy from 21 years of service for the United States Navy. He will be officially retired in March 2023. Jason joined immediately after September 11, 2001. He served with the Marines infantry(FMF) , Navy Seals (EXW) and the Surface Navy (ESW). He served and fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in two different tours to Iraq, Operation Afghani Freedom (OEF) one tour with the Marines and one much later with the Seals (2012). Besides the several combat tours, he was on three other deployments to Africa, European Tour, and Kuwait, While serving, he saw a lot of things he probably would like to unsee, and beyond that suffered two Traumatic Brain Injuries. His tour with the Seals in Afghanistan he learned not to tell me too many stories. The little that I remember, he said he was in a firefight everyday, and on multiple occasions in immense danger. He was written up for a bronze star during that deployment, and the administrative ppl on one side lost the paperwork. That last combat tour to Afghanistan, he was determined to get home, as I was pregnant with Ella.

Jason by trade is an Independent Duty Corpsman, meaning he works independently like a PA, to coordinate care, diagnose, treat, and triage patients. He could even give medication, do trauma care procedures, or basic dental work. When he had orders to sea, there are no drs. Aboard. Jason fills in as the provider for all at least 300 sailors aboard. All of this given all this training, does not translate to the outside civilian world. He says he wants nothing to do with patient care in the next phase of his career. He liked to joke that he will buy a food truck or restaurant, or generally be Mr. Mom and watch TV all day. All I hope is that he finds something he enjoys doing, whatever that might be.

I remember my first initial impression of Jason, when we met in 2009. I was from a military town, and I did not want to be another local damsel whisked off her feet by another military guy. As I got to know him, once he showed me a glimpse of the person that he was…he grew on me. Despite many roadblocks. Whether it was his girlfriend showing up unexpectedly to the bar, his car getting impounded, being lit on our first date, or meeting his friends for the first time and being absolutely appalled….there’s too many good ones to choose from. The point is, I slowly fell in love with him ….I used to tell others it was his cooking that won me over. At this point both of us had already experienced life to some degree, We wanted similar things. We were married by 2011, after living in 4 states in three years time. Once we were married, a few months later I was pregnant and he was away. I waited, I did well. Until Ella was born and I didnt.

August/Sept 2012–I became very ill mentally very quickly after our first daughter Ella was born. I went from Mania—Psychosis very quickly. My memory is a little spotty from that time, but what I do recall… Is that Jason had just come home from that difficult Afghanistan tour with the Seals. He was caring for a newborn and trying to process returning home, to his wife who was going insane. I went to get treatment, I knew I had to and Jason helped get me to the point to help me see that. That treatment was not the best initially—I was sedated for weeks…weeks turned into months. After two months of no progression I was transferred to Sheppard Prat, where I got better in two-three weeks. Reflecting back I remember how hard this time was on him, but he stuck by me. I will never be grateful enough for his patience through all that. Back Then, I didn’t understand how I deserved so much from a partner. Back then, that relapse nearly destroyed me and it took years to recover. Through it all, Jason was there, beside me, encouraging and supporting me as I got better.

2013-2016- We moved from Va Beach, to Lakehurst, NJ for shore duty. For the first time un many years, I had Jason home on a normal work schedule. As soon as we moved to NJ about a month later, Bailey passed away, which hit me like a ton of bricks. We wouldn’t have another dog until Chloe in 2018. In February, 2016, Hazel Joan Grant was born in Toms River NJ. NJ was lovely, the seasons were beautiful and being right in the shore was also lovely. I most enjoyed being so close of a drive to NYC.

2016-2019 We moved from Shore Duty in New Jersey, where Hazel was born, back to Virginia. When we came back to Virginia, Jason had orders to a ship- the James E. Williams. He excelled, made Chief, gave countless mentees advice, single-handedly helped promote both of his baby docs two levels of advancement. He never bent to the will of others, practiced what he preached, and lead by example

2020-2021: We faced new challenges as everyone did with the pandemic. We also moved to Jacksonville, FL for Jasons final duty station. Jason is stationed at Mayport, FL Base, and we live 45 min inland. It’s quite a commute, but Jason never complains about it. We have also had the challenge of being a couple and family that is somewhat together all the time (Thanks Covid). Surviving this together admittedly is almost harder than all of those years apart. We will be fine, its just a period of time that we will get through. We always do and have always proved resilient.

I have always been proud of Jason for his success in the Navy, even more so I was proud of the person he has become. Of the father he is to our girls, of the loving person he is. I will always be proud of him for many reasons. When I think of his naval career, and what he sacrificed time and time again. I have only one thought. He is my hero….and always will be. His love saved me in so many ways. I am thankful for everything he has done for the girls and I. Although he is a little off the map, especially when it comes to his humor, all of his little flaws would never equate to this amazing man. So as we begin this next chapter of retirement, I hope he realizes how much he has left a lasting imprint on the world…and on my world. I love you Jason Grant, and as the girls lovingly call you, Chief Mr Sneeze Daddy.