Fallen soldier mourned

Community turns out to honor memory of Jacob Melson

January 20, 2006

MARY AMES/Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA -The pews in the Wasilla Assembly of God Church were filled Thursday with friends, family and other people who wanted to honor the memory of Jacob Eugene Melson, who died in Iraq on Jan. 7.

Melson was 22 years, 3 months and five days old when his helicopter went down, according to Randy Baskett, who read for the family at the memorial service. Baskett said although he has brothers, Jacob's father Mark Melson was, in many ways, closer than a brother to him, and he felt like Jacob's uncle.

&#8220He came and he left because God wanted him,” Baskett told mourners. &#8220Jacob was one of those kids that touched lives with a smile that could light up the world. He was good at what he did and he was good at his job. He was a mentor and a big brother without an organization.

&#8220It was just his nature. At 22, he was an extraordinary young man.”

Melson wouldn't tell his mother what his job was, according to Baskett, because he didn't want her to worry about him. He loved to skateboard, snowboard, ride his BMX and would hang out at Baskett's house and eat his groceries, he told the assembled crowd of more than 200 that came to pay tribute.

Melson's widow, Sarah, was presented with his Bronze Star, for meritorious service with sacrifice, the Alaska Distinguished Service Medal, for an outstanding soldier with exceptional technical skills, and the Army Commendation Medal for his service from July 12, 2001, until his death.

A PowerPoint presentation by Sarah Melson showed Jacob's life from the time he was a newborn, evolving into a toddler, growing into a laughing child, becoming a skinny youth and ending as a proud young man. The photos flowed along with songs, including one with a haunting refrain: &#8220It could be so nice growing old with you. I could be a man who grows old with you. I want to grow old with you.”

Jacob and Sarah Melson met at church, according to Pastor Mark Campbell. On the night of their senior prom, Jacob decided to make his move, Campbell said, and their courtship began from their. Melson had a beautiful singing voice, he said, and he knew the romance was serious when Jacob agreed to sing at church in front of other people for Sarah.

&#8220I'm going to miss him greatly,” Campbell said. &#8220His family started coming to our church when he was about 4 years old. At first, when he was young, he was just a blur with the rest of the kids. But he began to stand out as he got a little older.

&#8220Jacob loved God, family and country. Just before he deployed to Iraq, he came over and we had a talk. He wanted to know his beliefs were his own, and not just something his parents handed him. It wasn't a long talk, but Jacob said he wanted to make sure he didn't come back as an insect. He went on to say that would be a really bad thing in Alaska. He loved being Jake.”

Campbell read from a sermon another pastor wrote but never delivered.

&#8220Live and live well,” Campbell said. &#8220Breathe in and deep. Be present, not in the past, not in the future, in the now. If you bike, pedal hard. And if you crash, crash well. If you experience loss, grieve and grieve well. Every ounce of life you must define as a gift.”

Nine area pastors gathered to pray for Melson's family, gathered in the two front pews.

Melson will be buried at the Fort Richardson National Cemetery today at 1 p.m. Guests should be at the front gate by 12:30.

Contact Mary Ames at

352-2284 or mary.ames@

frontiersman.com.