Speaker at Lawrence VFW Memorial Day service dedicates life to fallen husband

This Memorial Day, Americans across the country are finding ways to honor those who served. One veteran's widow has donated not only Memorial Day, but her entire life to honoring her fallen husband.

"If my husband can give his life for our country, then I can live each day for him, carrying on his dying wish," said Melissa Jarboe.

That wish was caring for his fellow service members.

Jarboe is known as a gold star wife in the military world, but a war widow to civilians. She was the keynote speaker for Memorial Day services hosted by Lawrence VFW Post No. 852. Many assembled at Memorial Park Cemetery Monday morning to express their gratitude and commemorate the men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

Jarboe told her story that began three years ago, when she got a phone call that her husband Jamie was wounded in action, while deployed in Afghanistan.

"After 11 months fighting for his life inside that hospital, the doctor's couldn't heal what that sniper took away," she said.

Jarboe remembers the nurses asking her husband if he regretted his service, he told them he didn't. He said he loved the military, loved his country, and would take that bullet again. As the Jarboe's embraced the end of Jamie's life, they used the rest of his time to plan out the rest of Melissa's.

Her life became devoted to honoring her husband's dying wish by caring for his fellow service members. Jarboe founded the Military Veteran Project, a 501c3 Nonprofit that honors and empowers military veterans.

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