We vowed to never forget the first local slain in Iraq. Now's our chance to honor that vow
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Marine Corps Cpl. Jonathan "J.R." Spears would be 39 years old these days.
Tragically, Spears saw little more than half of those years. The 2002 Tate High School graduate and football player was killed in Ramadi, Iraq, by a single gunshot on Oct. 23, 2005, on the last day of a six-day patrol with India Company, Third Battalion, and Seventh Marine Regiment. It was Spears' second tour of duty in Iraq.
He was only 21 years old.
Spears was the first U.S. service member from either Escambia or Santa Rosa County to die in the war, according to the Department of Defense.
During Spears' 15-mile funeral procession from Cantonment to Barrancas National Cemetery aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, local folks lined the roads - saluting or hands over hearts - to pay tribute to the young Marine. In eulogies, in our prayers and in our hearts, we vowed as a community to "never forget."
We get to honor that vow to remember Spears by simply showing up at the Cpl. Jonathan J.R. Spears Memorial Softball Tournament beginning at 8 a.m. on Oct. 7 at Exchange Park in Pensacola. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Jonathan Ross "J.R." Spears Memorial Endowed Scholarship at Pensacola State College, established by his family in 2008. (Scholarship preference is given to Tate High School graduates (Potential scholarship recipients must submit an essay titled "What America Means to Me").
The tournament will be a coed slow pitch softball double elimination tournament with eight teams.
Team registration is $200. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
J.R.'s father Tim Spears remembers that after his son's death, the family received countless letters of condolence, many of which included cash or checks.
"They were from people around the world and I'd say about 75-to-80 percent of the letters had cash or a check - I don't know why, but we ended up with quite a bit of money." That money and other contributions established the scholarship fund.
J.R. Spears was the oldest child and only son of Marie and Tim Spears. The couple's two daughters, Jessie and Jenny, were only 11 and 9 years old when their brother was killed in a faraway land.
Marie Spears died in 2008.
The losses have, as you can imagine, impacted Spears to his core and irrevocably.
"Day to day, you know - I think everybody's learned to cope with things in their own way,'' he said wearily. "But yeah, it's always there with us. There are certain days that are worse than others. I don't really say you learn to go on, but you just find ways to get through."
Related: Community pays tribute to fallen Marine J.R. Spears
At Spears' Cantonment home, a crisp, almost-new U.S. flag flaps sturdily outside. Inside, a display cabinet showcases numerous memories of J.R. - pictures of the handsome Marine in uniform, a flag that his fellow Marines in Iraq flew at a makeshift memorial service for their fallen friend and comrade, numerous gifts sent by well-wishers, including a football from Florida State University legend Bobby Bowden and a pair of boxing gloves from Pensacola great Roy Jones Jr.
"My patriotism and love of country is still strong,'' Tim Spears said. "My son was just one of thousands of sons and daughters who lost their lives doing their jobs for this country. It does upset me when I see people trying to destroy this country. That does upset me quite a bit. But I'll tell you, he felt he was doing the right thing and loved being a Marine."
The Spears family is organizing the softball tournament with the assistance of John Hills, who is member of the local Marine Corps League that is named after Spears.
"I feel we all need to remember J.R. and all those who sacrificed their lives,'' said Hills, who did not know J.R. "We need to honor him and remember him and that's why we wanted to do this. We hope the community comes out."
To register for the tournament or for more details: 703-228-9874 or email john.g.hills88@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Cantonment Marine Cpl. Jonathan Spears memorial softball tournament
