Carrying Her Brother’s Story Forward

Jessica runs in honor of her brother, SPC Jarrod A Lallier, a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne.

Jarrod was funny, easygoing, and completely himself. He had a contagious laugh and a way of making people feel at ease. He loved people, and they loved him right back.

“I look forward to the day I see him in heaven and I get to hear him say, ‘Hey Jess, I missed you!’ and get one of his big hugs.”

Jarrod was also deeply committed to his calling as a soldier. Jessica says he knew from a young age that he wanted to serve. Even when his family tried to persuade him to take another path, he stayed committed to what he believed he was called to do.

“He knew the price. He knew the sacrifice. He knew what answering the call could cost and he said yes anyway.”

Jessica carries that commitment with her as she prepares for her first marathon through the Gold Star & Survivor Endurance Program.

She has always wanted to run a marathon, but says she was too nervous to fully commit. This time, she found a reason to take the leap.

“I feel like if I’m ever going to run one and run one to the end, I need to have a purpose. I need to run for something more than me.”

For Jessica, training is also a way to show up for Jarrod, particularly on the days when running is difficult.

“I honor my brother by showing up, especially on the days I want to quit. I run because he cannot, and I keep pushing because he cannot.”

She carries a card with the names of the loved ones represented in her cohort. During her training runs, she says their names and prays for their training, carrying their stories alongside Jarrod’s.

Her training has to fit around life as a mother of three and an elementary school teacher. During the school year, that often means early morning runs at 4:45 a.m. or fitting in miles between her children’s sports practices. The support of her husband, family, and friends has made the commitment possible.

The wear blue: run to remember community has also become an important part of the experience. Jessica first connected with wear blue through a Gold Star mother in Spokane who had completed the marathon the year before and encouraged her to apply.

Since joining the program, Jessica has been grateful for the people she has met and the stories they carry.

“I have felt lucky to meet the members in my cohort and learn their stories. I am so excited to meet them in person and give hugs!”

For Jessica, being a Gold Star family member means carrying both her own grief and the stories of others who have experienced loss.

“I have a responsibility to speak their names and share their stories.”

That responsibility is personal. Jarrod’s last words in a letter to his family asked them to share his story and live their lives so his death would not be in vain.

Jessica has committed to doing exactly that.

This October, she will take on 26.2 miles in honor of Jarrod and the other fallen heroes represented by her cohort. When training gets difficult, she has a simple reminder:

“This isn’t forever. This is temporary.”

And then she keeps showing up.