58-year-old Jerry Jerome Jackson served his country honorably in the United States Marine Corps. But his life tragically ended homeless and alone, frozen in a rudimentary shack in a park in St. Paul, Minnesota. The community banded together, though, to give the veteran the farewell he deserved.
Jackson suffered from schizophrenia. And though he had friends that wanted to help, tried to help, it was to no avail. Jackson had places to stay, homes that he could live in. But he had trouble keeping in touch with the people that cared about him, refusing help from anyone, and his mental illness got worse over time. He was, however, a frequent visitor to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. And where they couldn’t help him in life, his community rallied around him to remember him well in death.
After Jackson’s body was found and identified, a local funeral home volunteered to donate their services for free. The church arranged for music and a memorial service. And the Marine Corps buried Jackson with full honors at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, complete with an Honor Guard. Jackson’s only surviving family member, his brother, Don Jackson, also a veteran, was there to say goodbye to his brother as well, receiving the folded flag in recognition of his service. And while Jackson’s friends and loved ones attended the service and funeral, dozens of strangers showed up to honor his life as well. For his brother, there was only one way to describe it. “This is overwhelming to me,” he said. “It’s overwhelming.”