Posted 7:58 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, 2012
The purple heart is an award he never wanted to receive. But UW-La Crosse Alum Jason Church was grateful to be in the company of friends, family and the university community when his father presented it to him Nov. 10 at Roger Harring Stadium. “The majority of the time, people who receive this award aren’t there to receive it,” says Church. “It’s bitter sweet on my end. I guess, in a way, I’m lucky.”
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Jason Church stands on his new legs with help from his mother, father and girlfriend during halftime of the Nov. 10 football game. His father, Col. David Church, presented Jason with the purple heart during the game. Photo courtesy of Jim Lund. [/caption]The purple heart is an award he never wanted to receive.
But UW-La Crosse Alum Jason Church was grateful to be in the company of friends, family and the university community when his father presented it to him Nov. 10 at Roger Harring Stadium.
“The majority of the time, people who receive this award aren’t there to receive it,” says Church. “It’s bitter sweet on my end. I guess, in a way, I’m lucky.”
Church,’ 11, a political science major, lost both of his legs below the knee after an IED explosion in a small village in Afghanistan. Church, a U.S. Army Second Lt., has since undergone 18 surgeries and was fitted for prosthetics. During the halftime show, Church stood up on his new legs before the crowd. Church’s father, Col. David Church, presented him with the purple heart, a combat decoration reserved for those wounded or killed while serving their country. More than 70 UW-L reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets were on the field to support Church.
The recognition was part of a series of veterans-related activities surrounding Veterans Day and UW-L’s Freedom Week, Nov. 5-11.
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Second Lt. Jason Church would eventually like to coach at the high school or college level. He also has ambitions to return to school for his master’s and doctorate degree in political science with an emphasis in international affairs. Photo courtesy of Jim Lund. [/caption]Church chose to receive his purple heart at UW-L because it’s a central location for family and friends. Also he has good memories of playing football and studying political science on the campus. He is grateful to his coaches and professors for the opportunities they gave him to grow.
Organizers of the veteran’s tribute say they are grateful for people like Church who make sacrifices for their country.
“What we do in the Athletic Department involves tough people doing hard things. But it’s not exactly what these men and women do to fight for our country,” says Josh Whitman, UW-L’s director of athletics. “Why we are able to put the flag up and go play our games is because of the freedom provided to us by the men and women of the Armed Services.”
All event donations supported the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization devoted to honoring and empowering wounded warriors. UW-L’s Freedom Week was organized in conjunction with the UW-L Foundation, the Freedom Honor Flight and Logistics Health Inc.
“If you think about it, less than one percent of the population has served (in the Armed Services) and they carry 100 percent of the responsibility for our freedom,” says Don Weber, CEO of LHI.
Marine Cpl. Gauge Griffin, a recent graduate of Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau High School, also sustained major injuries and was honored during the game.
Jason Church benefit slated for Jan. 26 at UW-L
Former football teammates of UW-L alum Jason Church will host a benefit for Church at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, in UW-L’s Mitchell Hall Fieldhouse. Church will return for the event, called No Eagle Left Behind. Admission is $10 and all proceeds go toward Church and his family to help with his recovery. Tickets are available at the door or in advance at locations including, UW-L’s Cartwright Center and both Festival Foods locations in La Crosse.
The event will include a special recognition for Church, guest speakers, music, a raffle, food, beverages and a silent and live auction. To make additional monetary donations or donate to the auctions, contact jasonchurchbenefit@gmail.com.
Jason Church stands on his new legs with help from his mother, father and girlfriend during halftime of the Nov. 10 football game. His father, Col. David Church, presented Jason with the purple heart during the game. Photo courtesy of Jim Lund. [/caption]The purple heart is an award he never wanted to receive.
But UW-La Crosse Alum Jason Church was grateful to be in the company of friends, family and the university community when his father presented it to him Nov. 10 at Roger Harring Stadium.
“The majority of the time, people who receive this award aren’t there to receive it,” says Church. “It’s bitter sweet on my end. I guess, in a way, I’m lucky.”
Church,’ 11, a political science major, lost both of his legs below the knee after an IED explosion in a small village in Afghanistan. Church, a U.S. Army Second Lt., has since undergone 18 surgeries and was fitted for prosthetics. During the halftime show, Church stood up on his new legs before the crowd. Church’s father, Col. David Church, presented him with the purple heart, a combat decoration reserved for those wounded or killed while serving their country. More than 70 UW-L reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets were on the field to support Church.
The recognition was part of a series of veterans-related activities surrounding Veterans Day and UW-L’s Freedom Week, Nov. 5-11.
[caption id="attachment_2752" align="alignleft" width="288"] Second Lt. Jason Church would eventually like to coach at the high school or college level. He also has ambitions to return to school for his master’s and doctorate degree in political science with an emphasis in international affairs. Photo courtesy of Jim Lund. [/caption]Church chose to receive his purple heart at UW-L because it’s a central location for family and friends. Also he has good memories of playing football and studying political science on the campus. He is grateful to his coaches and professors for the opportunities they gave him to grow.
Organizers of the veteran’s tribute say they are grateful for people like Church who make sacrifices for their country.
“What we do in the Athletic Department involves tough people doing hard things. But it’s not exactly what these men and women do to fight for our country,” says Josh Whitman, UW-L’s director of athletics. “Why we are able to put the flag up and go play our games is because of the freedom provided to us by the men and women of the Armed Services.”
All event donations supported the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization devoted to honoring and empowering wounded warriors. UW-L’s Freedom Week was organized in conjunction with the UW-L Foundation, the Freedom Honor Flight and Logistics Health Inc.
“If you think about it, less than one percent of the population has served (in the Armed Services) and they carry 100 percent of the responsibility for our freedom,” says Don Weber, CEO of LHI.
Marine Cpl. Gauge Griffin, a recent graduate of Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau High School, also sustained major injuries and was honored during the game.
Jason Church benefit slated for Jan. 26 at UW-L
Former football teammates of UW-L alum Jason Church will host a benefit for Church at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, in UW-L’s Mitchell Hall Fieldhouse. Church will return for the event, called No Eagle Left Behind. Admission is $10 and all proceeds go toward Church and his family to help with his recovery. Tickets are available at the door or in advance at locations including, UW-L’s Cartwright Center and both Festival Foods locations in La Crosse.
The event will include a special recognition for Church, guest speakers, music, a raffle, food, beverages and a silent and live auction. To make additional monetary donations or donate to the auctions, contact jasonchurchbenefit@gmail.com.