Virginia Soldier killed in Iraq honored by NASCAR fans

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Virginia Soldier killed in Iraq honored by NASCAR fans
By Maj. William Thurmond
May 17, 2005


RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY, Va. (Army News Service, May 17, 2005) – Prior to the start of Saturday’s Chevy American Revolution 400, NASCAR fans paused to honor the memory of a hometown Soldier killed fighting in the Global War on Terrorism.

In a poignant and touching show of respect, the sold-out Richmond crowd stood and was led in the pledge of allegiance by the Soldier’s mother, Viola Jackson.

“My daughter lost her life in Iraq on May the 20th, 2004, said Jackson. “I was asked to come here and I wanted to stand up for her.”

At age 18, Army Spc. Leslie D. Jackson is the youngest American to die in Iraq.

She enlisted and deployed shortly after her high school graduation from Richmond’s George Wythe High School. In school, she demonstrated outstanding leadership potential, leading her high school’s Junior ROTC Battalion of more than 200 cadets.

Spc. Jackson was killed in Baghdad, Iraq, when her military vehicle hit an improvised explosive device as it was returning to Camp Eagle. Jackson was assigned to A Company, 115th Forward Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Before the pre-race ceremony, Virginia Sen. Henry L. Marsh III presented Viola Jackson with a joint Virginia Senate and House of Delegates Resolution that read in part:

“… (Spc. Jackson) viewed the Army as a way to further her education, and in correspondence to relatives and friends before her death, she described long days and episodes of mortar fire, her fear and maturation from a "little girl" into a full-fledged Soldier, and how she had learned to accept the responsibility of looking out for her own life and the lives of her fellow Soldiers.”

Asked how she felt about her part in the pre-race event, Jackson said she felt good to be able to represent not only her daughter but all Soldiers serving around the world.

“I am proud of my daughter and I’m proud of all of the Soldiers,” said Jackson. “I think they’re doing a marvelous job.”

Jackson also had advice for anyone considering a future in the military.

“Just be careful. If it’s what you want to do, then go for it.”