The Jeep community and the *Mission 22 family are incredible. They came together to honor the life of Trooper Christopher Gadd, who was recently killed in the line of duty. Jennifer Derouen, a nurse and member of the Jeep community, shares with Erica about this honoring memorial run and all of the love that was poured out for Trooper Gadd and his family.
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TRANSCRIPTION:
Erica:
This past Sunday from the North end to the South end, the Jeep community and the Mission 22 family, amazing people who raise awareness for our military and how precious their lives are… They all came together to honor the life of Trooper Christopher M Gadd, whose life was taken in the line of duty just recently. Jennifer is a nurse who’s part of the Jeep community, and she is with us this morning on her break. Jennifer, you’re one of my heroes.
Jennifer:
Aw, thanks.
Erica:
Thank you for your valuable time. How did the memorial run go?
Jennifer:
It was so awe inspiring. We had over 135 Jeeps, anywhere from there to 150. Not just Jeeps, but we had modern Mopars, we had Corvettes, we had all kinds of people that wanted to show support for Officer Gad and his family.
Erica:
That just inspires me to my core. Where did this take place, Jennifer?
Jennifer:
We had our South End Jeep Group meet at South Hill Mall in Puyallup, and then they convoyed up. There were Mopars with them, there were Jeeps. There were even several tow trucks that all convoyed up, and they met us at the Ashway Park and ride in Lynnwood. We were there for approximately an hour or so. We were taking donations for the family. We had a flag signing where everybody could sign the flag. We created badge decals to hand out so people could have the badge with Trooper Gadd’s name on it and badge number. After the Lynnwood Park and Ride, we convoyed up to the Kohl’s parking lot in Marysville, for all the Jeep family that came together from even further north. That group had started cooking hot dogs and chips and chili and fed all the masses that showed up. Wow. So, we had people from Anacortes all the way down to, I know there was Chehalis, there was some from over on the peninsula. We had ’em all over the state.
Erica:
What was it like to be a part of that, Jennifer? I assume you were in one of those Jeeps.
Jennifer:
I was, absolutely. It was myself and my good friend, Joe Benham. He reached out to me and asked if I would be the North End liaison and gather people together and try to spread awareness and show support for the family. So, I reached out to my friends and Jeep family, and we didn’t expect it to get as big as it did, and it was very humbling to know how the community will come together at a time like this.
Erica:
You are a busy woman and a nurse, yet you made time to make this very important run happen. Why is this close to your heart?
Jennifer:
This is something the Jeep community feels very strongly about. We support our brothers and sisters in blue. We also do memorial runs for fallen military. We do the Angel Runs when they’re being transported. We do race across America. We try to show positivity and support for everyone that needs it. We live in a difficult world, and if we can bring a little bit of solidarity to each other, why not?
Erica:
Amen. You all are a really tight knit community. The Jeep family is, right?
Jennifer:
Oh yeah.
Erica:
That’s so cool. You don’t hear that about other cars. Jennifer.
Jennifer:
When I bought my Jeep, I had no idea what I was in for, and I am so, so grateful. I have met the most amazing people that always want to help others, teach others… just be there for each other, and it’s amazing. I bought my Jeep right before my husband was diagnosed with cancer and he was supposed to teach me how to off road and do all the fun things that Jeeps can do. Well, then he was diagnosed and he wasn’t able to, and it was the Jeep community that came together and taught me what Jeep life is all about, and helped me through the darkest time in my life. I’ll never drive another vehicle.
Erica:
Oh, Jennifer, thank you so much for sharing your life with me. You guys really are a family. So, at the Memorial Run, what was it like from your window? What were you seeing? How were the people reacting as all of you drove by?
Jennifer:
With the absolute pride. You would see people with their cameras, in the windows of their car as we were driving by, watching all the flags fly in the wind. It gives you a warm feeling and hope for humanity that there are still people that do honor and care for others.
Erica:
And you are one of them. Thank you so much for spending your break today, sharing about all of the love that was poured out for Trooper Gadd and his family.
Jennifer:
Well, thank you very much for getting the word out there, and people know that if they have any needs to reach out to their local Jeep community. We’ll be there for them in droves.
Erica:
I love it so much. You have a wonderful day, my friend. You’re terrific.
Jennifer:
Thank you. Have a good day.
Erica:
You too.
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