Flags For Jarrod: An Update From Jarrod’s Mom

By Rachel Belle

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to Flags For Jarrod: An Update From His
Mom

When Kim and Gary Lallier didn’t hear from their son
Jarrod on Father’s Day, they were confused and worried.
Twenty year old Specialist Jarred Lallier was serving in
Afghanistan, but he always called his family to check in.
The next day they got a knock on their door in Spokane.
Their son had been killed when men disguised in Afghan
police uniforms shot down his unit.

Family friend Carla Anderson says her family lived next
door to the Lallier’s in Seattle, and their kids grew up
together. She wanted to do something to comfort the
family.

“I had heard that the flags would be at half mast in
Jarrod’s honor and I thought ‘What I can do, I can drive
around Seattle and take pictures of the flags at half
mast. Maybe that would comfort Gary and Kim.’ I thought,
it’s a shame that there’s going to be flags at half mast
all over the state and they won’t be able to experience
the affection and the honor that the people of the state
want to give Kim and Gary at this horrible time for them.”

So we took Carla’s idea and passed it on to you. We
asked the Ron & Don Nation to take photos of flags at
half staff on Monday, July 2 and email them to us, so we
could pass them on to the family. We received hundreds of
photos from all over Western Washington, from Bremerton to
Blake Island, Bothell, Camano Island, Lakewood, Everett
and everywhere in between.

“I just want to say, on behalf of our family, that we
were very touched and it made us all cry at each photo
that we saw,” says Jarrod’s mom, Kim. “It just made us
realize that he isn’t forgotten and people do remember the
sacrifice he gave to our country. I just want to thank
everyone. It was touching to our family and was honorable
to our son, Jarrod. Thank you.”

Kim spent July 2 at her son’s memorial service in
Spokane, the day before his 21st birthday.

“We just hope his memory won’t die. He had an amazing
memorial service here in Spokane, over 1400 people came.
Just that it even went over into the Seattle area makes us
glad that everyone is remembering.”

Along with the photos of the flags, came messages like
this one from Andrew in Kent:

I cried when I heard your son’s story on the radio,
so I had to go buy a flag for my house and do this today.

I know that nothing I say will make much difference but I
hope the thoughts and prayers of others ease your pain.
God speed and Thank you.

Joan Ann Brown wrote:

My son PFC Scott Jones is currently on deployment
to Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne. I cannot imagine
your overwhelming grief concerning the loss of your son.
Please know you are in our constant prayers, and there is
many of us who are thankful for the service your son gave
to our nation. God bless you.

Linda says:

My father’s birthday is in fact July 2nd, the day I
took this photo. So, perhaps in heaven, my father CMSGT
Jeff & Jarrod can salute each other & celebrate
together while we carry them in our hearts here on earth.

“Before he left to be deployed, he left a letter with
my brother-in-law in case something should happen to him,”
Kim said. “So my brother-in-law gave it to my husband and
I. In it Jarrod said, ‘I always felt called to serve our
country and I’m thankful for everyday I’ve had on this
earth. Whatever should happen know that I’m doing what I
felt called top do.’ That is the last communication we’ve
had with our son and it will stay with us forever. One of
our last memories of our son is him caring and reaching
out even after his death.”

We’re turning our “Flags For Jarrod” photo gallery into
a photo book for the Lallier family. Click here to
view the online photo galleries.