NEW GLARUS (WKOW) — It’s been four years since Larry and Jen Jackson last saw their son, Ben, a 20-year-old airman that died overseas. Now, the foundation they started in his honor has helped reunite more than 250 service members and their families.
Just before Ben died, he made one last surprise visit home to see his family.
“Ben had not been home in 14 months, and he reached out to Larry and said, ‘Hey, I really would like to come home and surprise Mom, can you help me out?'” Jen said. “Because Larry travels for work, he had the miles to be able to help him come home, and it was a beautiful thing.”
Little did the Jacksons know it would be the last time they saw their son. He died six weeks later while serving in Japan.
His mother Jen said she still remembers his impact.
“You know, there are people that you immediately just trust and pour your heart to, and you’re like, Why did I just do that?” Jen said. “That was Ben.”
Soon after Ben’s death, Jen and Larry started “The Ben Jackson Foundation,” an organization that provides financial assistance to service members so they, too, can come home to their families like Ben did.
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