'He lived a good life and he touched so many other lives'
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GIG HARBOR, Wash. -- The fighting in Afghanistan took a tragic turn for a Gig Harbor family when staff Sgt. Orion Sparks died in a suicide bomb attack late last month.
The Gig Harbor native's mother is now speaking out about her son and what a good person he was.
Jan Hurnblad Sparks said her 29-year-old son was an adventure seeker who made friends easily and had an infectious smile.
"He was a good kid, I'll tell you. Good kid. He wanted to go from the word 'get,'" Jan said.
Orion and fellow soldier Sgt. Jonathan Gollnitz were killed in separate suicide bombings on September 26. Jan flew to Joint Base Dover with her two other sons to be there when Orion, who was called Orin, was returned to U.S. soil .
"I can't say it's a good feeling, but what I felt is honor to call Orin my son," she said.
Jan said the love for her son is greater than her grief, and that's why she wanted to share his story.
"He lived a good life and he touched so many other lives that I wanted to do this in memory of him," she said.
She wanted to share part of a poem her son wrote as a fifth grader that she believes speaks to his character.
"Learn how to solve problems peacefully in your own life," the poem reads, "because peace begins with you in your own backyard."
Those lines came from a boy who grew up to be a 6'6" tall soldier. His size was intimidating, but Jan said his Army buddies called him "the gentle giant," and that's how she'll remember him.
She said Orion wanted to come home after his 10-year stint in the Army, which included three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was due to get out in just a few months.
Orion was a cavalry scout and jumpmaster with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team based out of Germany.
Funeral services are still being planned.
The Gig Harbor native's mother is now speaking out about her son and what a good person he was.
Jan Hurnblad Sparks said her 29-year-old son was an adventure seeker who made friends easily and had an infectious smile.
"He was a good kid, I'll tell you. Good kid. He wanted to go from the word 'get,'" Jan said.
Orion and fellow soldier Sgt. Jonathan Gollnitz were killed in separate suicide bombings on September 26. Jan flew to Joint Base Dover with her two other sons to be there when Orion, who was called Orin, was returned to U.S. soil .
"I can't say it's a good feeling, but what I felt is honor to call Orin my son," she said.
Jan said the love for her son is greater than her grief, and that's why she wanted to share his story.
"He lived a good life and he touched so many other lives that I wanted to do this in memory of him," she said.
She wanted to share part of a poem her son wrote as a fifth grader that she believes speaks to his character.
"Learn how to solve problems peacefully in your own life," the poem reads, "because peace begins with you in your own backyard."
Those lines came from a boy who grew up to be a 6'6" tall soldier. His size was intimidating, but Jan said his Army buddies called him "the gentle giant," and that's how she'll remember him.
She said Orion wanted to come home after his 10-year stint in the Army, which included three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was due to get out in just a few months.
Orion was a cavalry scout and jumpmaster with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team based out of Germany.
Funeral services are still being planned.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your son. I was in Germany visiting my nephew's wife when she received a call from her husband. Orion was a good friend of my nephew and his wife. We met with another soldier's wife from Orion's unit as well. Your son was very loved by many in his unit. Praying for peace in your heart.
Such a sad story. I am so sorry for the loss of your precious son. Thank you for your sacrifice, I pray your fond memories of him will help to ease your pain.
Sad... he was due to get out soon too...Â
A son to be proud of, for sure. I'm glad she still has two more!
@plantfann Do you think having two more sons makes her grief any less for the loss of this one? What an insensitive comment IMHO.
Thank-you for the ultimate sacrifice.R.I.P. Sgt Sparks.God Bless you.