Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Memory of Jared Landaker

April 10, 2008 students (Jessica Devoe, Sarah Dickerman, Austin Okeson and Spenser Hunt) from Painted Rock Elementary School in Poway, California laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Memory of Jared Landaker.

The wreath read "Painted Rock. . . Jared with honor and respect".

Guards are changed every thirty minutes in the summer
and every hour in the winter. When the cemetery is
closed, the guard is changed every 2 hours.
The tomb has been guarded every minute
of the day since 1937.

Guards take exactly 21 steps during his walk across the tomb
area. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which
is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

I Am A Marine

The Marines are now my life.
Please help me do what others fear,
And guide me through this strife.

For God and my country
My life I will gladly give,
So the freedoms I hold today,
Will always continue to live.

And so, please, God, protect me,
Out of country or here at home.
Help me through these stressful times,
So I may never feel alone.

"This was Jared's favorite poem and Jared was more than just a marine, he is also my inspiration to lead the life I dream."
Spenser Hunt

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the group gathered in the amphitheater for their own private little ceremony for Jared, at which time Spenser Hunt read Jared's favorite poem along with one he had written for Jared.

Spenser Hunt

"This is a poem that I wrote in honor of 1st Lt. Jared "J-Rod" Landaker."

He also was a Marine,

A pilot,

A Purple Fox.

He was brave.

He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Landaker.

He was lively,

A friend to many,

He flew a helicopter

And he was a warrior.

But the most important thing about Jared is that he is a hero.

This is one of the many ways I choose to remember him. I will remember him every time I thank a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.
Semper Fidelies

Spenser Hunt

See more photos of this event.

Also see Character Counts

Photos courtesy of Dian Self
posted 4/23/08