2008 Woodie Awards
SectionsFallen soldier remembered
Jennifer Hollis
Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: News
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After the burial of Cpl. Jessy Pollard, who was killed on active duty in Iraq on Aug. 22 when the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter he was riding in crashed due to a mechanical malfunction, family and friends are only left with his memory.
But for those family and friends, the memories are ones they say they will never forget.
"He was always a totally crazy, upbeat guy who could always make you smile," friend and former schoolmate Katie Perkin said.
Glendale art teacher, Tracy Bruton, who spoke at Pollard's funeral, said she remembered Pollard for the person he was.
"He was extremely genuine," she said.
Bruton had Pollard as a student in three different art classes. She said he loved to laugh.
"He was really fun loving," Bruton said.
The last time Bruton saw Pollard was at his high school graduation during the student procession.
"(When he saw me) he immediately broke ranks and yelled, 'Bruton!'" she said. "Then he gave me the biggest hug and spun me around."
Senior marketing major Tess Nashed also knew Pollard while at Glendale and from church. She said her fondest memory of him was from a mission trip they took to Venezuela.
"We dressed him up as a clown, full makeup and wig," she said. "He performed for the kids."
Pollard's decision to go into the military, Perkin said, scared some of his friends, but many supported the decision.
"I think we were all scared for him," Perkin said. "But it was perfect for him, jumping out of helicopters, because he was such a crazy guy."
Nashed was concerned when she learned Pollard would go to Iraq.
"It came as a shock when I learned he was going to Iraq," she said. "And more when I learned he wouldn't be coming home."
Friends had different ways that they found out about Pollard's death. Perkin heard when a family member who attended Pollard's family's church called her.
"I'd heard about the crash before I knew it was him," she said.
But for those family and friends, the memories are ones they say they will never forget.
"He was always a totally crazy, upbeat guy who could always make you smile," friend and former schoolmate Katie Perkin said.
Glendale art teacher, Tracy Bruton, who spoke at Pollard's funeral, said she remembered Pollard for the person he was.
"He was extremely genuine," she said.
Bruton had Pollard as a student in three different art classes. She said he loved to laugh.
"He was really fun loving," Bruton said.
The last time Bruton saw Pollard was at his high school graduation during the student procession.
"(When he saw me) he immediately broke ranks and yelled, 'Bruton!'" she said. "Then he gave me the biggest hug and spun me around."
Senior marketing major Tess Nashed also knew Pollard while at Glendale and from church. She said her fondest memory of him was from a mission trip they took to Venezuela.
"We dressed him up as a clown, full makeup and wig," she said. "He performed for the kids."
Pollard's decision to go into the military, Perkin said, scared some of his friends, but many supported the decision.
"I think we were all scared for him," Perkin said. "But it was perfect for him, jumping out of helicopters, because he was such a crazy guy."
Nashed was concerned when she learned Pollard would go to Iraq.
"It came as a shock when I learned he was going to Iraq," she said. "And more when I learned he wouldn't be coming home."
Friends had different ways that they found out about Pollard's death. Perkin heard when a family member who attended Pollard's family's church called her.
"I'd heard about the crash before I knew it was him," she said.
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