The Thirty-Eight Twelve Memorial Foundation Acknowledgements
If I (Eric) were to say that I did all of this myself, I would definitely be lying. All of us have worked together on all of this, with Debbie making suggestions to the website and doing a lot of leg work back home, and Misty helping to spread the word by email and other means. Those are just two examples of how we, as a family, have come together to make our dream of making Jason's memory everlasting. What has been encouraging are the other folks who have contributed time, money, and other things. I want to recognize as many of them as possible here.
To Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ: Thanks for using our tragedy to bring us closer together and helping us use this for good. Thanks for keeping me humble. Thanks for grieving with us. Thanks for saving us. Thank you for keeping Jason company until we arrive. Thank you for holding us close when we needed it most. Thank you for being that I AM.
Debbie: Naturally, you do this because Jason was one of your babies. I am very grateful that you are willing to work as hard as you do to keep his memory alive. It cannot be easy, I know that for certain. Everyone should know that you are the real driving force behind this foundation. We love you!
Wayne, Misty, Richard, and Jackie: I love having you guys as brothers and sisters-in-law. You guys make it incredibly easy to want to work hard on all of this, and are incredibly fun to be around.
Aunalie, Jamey, and Kristopher: My (Eric) wife and kids for putting up with many a late night working on this and for your help. If Aunalie hadn't spoken up at certain times, we would not have gotten some of the donations we did.
MSG Rich Parsons: Pap...Homer's Dad...don't think we forgot that you served in this war, too.
Bruce Hooley: Thanks for being a friend. Thanks for giving your opinion on things. Thanks for despising Eric Wedge, which has caused me many a moment of loud laughter. Seriously, without much of your encouragement, kind words, and all the work you have done on our behalf, I don't think we would be nearly as successful as we have been. For a Buckeye, you're better than alright in my book!
The Walkers: You know who you are. Those of you who spent time at the track walking for Jason's memory, those who worked the concession stand, those who stood with us in our moment of need. We thank you!
The Patriot Guard Riders: Thanks for being there to help us for the most horrible week we have ever experienced.
Yusuf "Joey" Frosh: Thanks for giving me ideas and helping with the design of this website.
Shelly Poe: Thanks for helping so much with our fundraiser.
Terry and Bobby Bowden: Ditto.
To the Mountaineer Fans Who Give a Damn: Thanks so much for your kind words. I still have some of your emails saved in my inbox at BGN.com. For the jerks, frankly, I had much stronger words, but if your time comes, then you will know how it feels.
Mrs. Dixon: Thanks for helping me understand what life was going to be like in the months following the funeral. Thanks for sharing your son, PFC Christopher Dixon, with the world.
Finally, thank you to #3,812, little brother, our hero...words cannot express how much we are indebted to you for your selfless sacrifice. Until we see you again, please know we love you and that we cannot wait to see you again.