Special Rememberance

Kirkland, the home of “Operation Iraq: The Spirit of Christmas,” lost one of its own on April 28, 2004, when Army Sgt. Jake Herring died of wounds suffered in an attack the previous day near Mosul, Iraq. Sgt. Herring, a 2001 graduate of Lake Washington High School (where he was captain of the football team), was part of the Fort Lewis-based Stryker Brigade.

We offer heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Jake Herring and to all the other families of military members who have sacrificed their lives while serving our country.

We are honored to have Sgt. Herring’s mother, Susan Sutter, join this year’s effort for “Operation Iraq: The Spirit of Christmas.” Among her contributions, she is sewing palm-sized lavender pillows (known to repel fleas and other bugs) for Jake’s fellow soldiers.