FAIRBORN — Motorcycle riders participated in a memorial ride to raise money and to honor a fallen military hero from the Miami Valley on Saturday.
The 9th Annual Fallen Hero Memorial Ride honored Army Specialist Jesse A. Snow, who was killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2010 at the age of 25.
Jesse’s father, John Snow, is a retired United States Air Force Chief Master Sergeant. Snow recalled the final conversation he had with Jesse on Veteran’s Day in 2010. Jesse had called before heading to tell Snow that he loved him and to tell his mother, brothers and sister that he loved them as well.
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“The last thing I said to him was ‘keep your butt down and don’t be a hero.’ And he never listened to me anyway,” Snow said.
The men his son served with told Snow that Jesse was responsible for saving the lives of three soldiers in the moments before he was killed during an ambush.
Jesse was posthumously awarded a Silver Star Medal, the military’s third-highest honor of valor. Jesse was also honored posthumously by then-Gov. John Kasich with the Governor’s Courage Award.
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TJ Snow, chaplain of the CMA Resurrection Riders, said it was very important that the ride honors local heroes like Jesse Snow.
“The importance of it is that we, as Americans, understand and realize that there are people out there that are sacrificing their lives for our freedoms,” Souza said.
Souza said it was important to show Snow and his family how grateful they were for his son’s sacrifice.
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Snow was asked about the current situation in Afghanistan, where is son served, and he said that he believes American troops did not fight in vain. While it may not be immediately, Snow said he believes America planted a seed and gave an insight into what freedom feels like.
“I think you will see, maybe not now, we’re too impatient, but in years to come I think you will see things pan out over there and hopefully in other countries,” Snow said.
Prior to joining the military, Snow said his son contemplated becoming a firefighter. During the memorial run today, money was raised to go towards a scholarship that is in Jesse’s honor and is for those who want to pursue a career as a firefighter.
Each biker in Saturday’s ride got a salute from Snow as they departed from the La Quinta Inn & Suits on University Blvd. in Fairborn.
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