Robert Jaso S Living Obituary

Greg Sporre CSR 309 3/2/07

Robert Jaso’s Living Obituary

Having the pleasure to meet Robert Jaso reiterated the fact as to why I have so much respect for anyone who has served to protect the rights of every person in this country. Here is a young man who has been taught some great values as he has come from a family dedicated to service. Reigning from Portage, IN, he joined the National Guard in 10th grade, after his father who was a recruiter had signed him up. Six years later, he stands proud of his experiences of 1+ year helping rebuild the city of Mousel, Iraq and providing the rights and freedom that you and I share everyday as Americans. While in Mousel, he would become a Sergeant in the demolition unit, where he would manage squads of men whom were much older than him, and these men trusted him with their lives. Moreover, he would have a large part in the long process of filtering out insurgents (of 75 interrogated, 33 would be arrested) to make a difference for these struggling people. THAT IS LEADERSHIP. But it was his experience with the people of Iraq that had a profound impact on his thinking and how he views the world today. One can tell his sense of compassion when he tells of stories of helping secure schools for the children of Iraq to get the same education that we have, or aiding in giving vaccinations to the same struggling children. Perhaps it was the thumbs up that he received from the Iraqi people while there that reminded him as well as you and I that the U.S. is changing things for the better for a country that has struggled with violence for years. Few people in one’s life have stories that truly touch you, and I assure that if you could spend 10 minutes with Mr. Jaso, he would have the same impact as he did on mine.

Now back in the U.S., it is evident that Robert has taken a lot of his experiences and applied them to what he does now. As a junior in Financial Planning, it is obvious that that same work ethic and drive that could be seen in Mousel is here in West Lafayette. If you meet Robert, you can tell that his entrepreneurial spirit comes out. You will also see the incredible amount of drive and motivation that he has. Here is a young man who is looking to get out and take on a completely new opportunity. His main goal is making sure that he lives his life to the fullest everyday, as he would be disappointed if he “didn’t get to live before he died.” Mr. Jaso has an “overachieving wealth of love” to give to anyone who would like to meet him.

In conclusion, it is truly an honor to have met this distinguished young man. Having the chance to pick his brain reminded as to what is important in life, and how truly lucky we all are to live in this great country. Mr. Jaso told me of a story of how as he was riding in uniform to training, he noticed an American flag in the road that was being ran over by several cars, and one of his biggest regrets in his life was not stopping to pick it up to protect it from being completely ruined. I would invite all of you to have the same respect and passion for this great country as Mr. Jaso has, and never forget those who have served this country to give you and I the many rights and freedoms that we have.