Melissa Jarboe
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ABOUT

Life can change in a moment’s notice; and so I found out as a military spouse turned wounded warrior spouse in April 2011, when my husband was shot by a snipers bullet in the Zhari District of Afghanistan. The 7.62 bullet from an AK-47 rifle penetrated SSG Jarboe’s spine, leaving him a quadriplegic and paralyzed from the chest down, SSG Jarboe never gave up the fight on the battlefield nor did I as his wife, once they returned to American soil. Jamie & I spent the next 11 months inside 7 different hospitals trying to heal what the sniper so viciously tore apart physically for SSG Jamie Jarboe. It was the fight inside of us, the love for our country and fellow service members that kept our dream of one day going home to Kansas and living happily ever after alive. That dream was shattered on March 10, 2012 when doctors relayed the information that my husband SSG Jamie Jarboe was terminal and needed to be placed in Hospice care for the remainder of his life.

As Jamie and I held one another, we not only embraced the hardships we had endured for the last 11 months of fighting for life, we embraced the reality of the end of a soldier’s life. Jamie asked Me to get a pen and paper to write down what he was about to tell me. He said “We might as well use the rest of my life to help plan the rest of yours.”

“The first thing he told me to write was, I love you and don’t you ever forget that, immediately I began to sob uncontrollable, the second thing was don’t ever forget how much I love you and the girls, tell them every day. Third, keep helping my soldiers and their families, take care of my soldiers and don’t ever let them forget they have our support. Promise me this last request, Melissa." Jamie quietly said. As I looked into Jamie’s eyes, I could see tears, as he said “promise me you will love again, promise me that you will not be bitter or heartbroken because you are the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life and I wouldn’t change this for anything. God gave me you and I have no regrets in my life because it all led me to our life together.” -Insert from Melissa Jarboe’s book "Sacrificed" due in stores spring of 2014.

In months preceding Jamie’s death, Melissa launched the Jamie Jarboe Foundation now named the Military Veteran Project a 501c3 Nonprofit which honors and empowers Military Veterans.

The mission statement of the foundation is:

The Military Veteran Project is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury to assist with suicide prevention for PRE & POST 9/11 Veterans.  www.militaryveteranproject.org

Each day I choose to wake up, give thanks to God for creating such a man to show me what true selfless sacrifice is, what dedication to country meant and open my eyes to a world of caring for others.


Awards & Achievements 


2012 Distinguished Kansan of Year 
2012 Inspiration Award Active Heroes
2013 AHA Moment - Mutual of Omaha
2013 NHRA Honorary Starter
2013 Topeka Business Top 20 Under 40 
2013 Marine Corps League Distinguished Service Award
2013 Kansas Character Recognition Award
2013 Eagle Rare Life Nomination
2013 Military Spouse of the year nomination
2013 5 Hour Energy Amazing People Award
Jamie & I at Indianapolis 500 the day he proposed!
Jarboe Family Photo February 2011
Jamie & I having dinner with Daddy Jarboe in Indiana 2/2011
Last photo of Jamie standing on America soil, the morning of his deployment from Fort Riley to Afghanistan
Sgt Aguilar, SSG Feaster & Jamie Afghanistan 4/2011
The first time Jamie opened his eyes after being wounded in Afghanistan April 10, 2011 - He wanted to see what all he was hooked up, so I took this photo to show him
The view from my chair as I slept next to Jamie's hospital bed in ICU- the doctors say Jamie will never walk again as the bullet shattered his spine & severed his spinal cord.
Each day Jamie would want to see a photo of what he looked like. Each day, I would learn more about his injuries..
No matter how much pain he was in, Jamie would smile & tell me how thankful he was alive.
The spinal hardware in Jamie's back from C6-T5
Jamie & Daddy Jarboe - Daddy was Jamie's protector, even though Jamie couldnt walk or talk, Daddy always held vigil at his bed side.
Look at that smile, I know he was up to something! :)
Stick out your tongue and say BLAAAHHHH -
Yes, Thats right! Jamie let me give him a cucumber facial while he was in ICU.. being paralyzed from the chest down and being able to feel my touch was relaxing, Jamie said.
We barely left Jamie in the hospital alone, Cici & I would be there from 5am-5pm & daddy Jarboe would be there from 5pm-5am to care for Jamie. We had to get creative.. Checkers anyone?
Cici who was only 12 when Jamie was wounded forfeited her 8th grade graduation to come to DC to be in the hospital with us. Each day she made us smile.
CT SCAN, MRI, Xray- you name it, Jamie had it done weekly or sometimes daily.. he was so patient and never mad..
Cici's graduation had to be done in ICU in May 2011 because that was our only option. Jamie told me to go to the gift shop find a card and pull out $50 for our little angel!
Cici & Jamie doing occupational therapy- moving his left arm back and forth -
It was so excited when Jamie was able to be up in his wheelchair! We loved every moment of it!
Look at that SMILE!
Fathers Day June 2011- Magic show in the hospital! Lexi & Cici were so creative! They practiced this magic show for hours the night before!
Loving his smile! He was making fun of his call light ball- he had to bite it because his hands werent strong enough to press it together
Family photo June 2011
Lexi couldnt always stay in the hospital with us, she was so young & needed to play.. here she is saying goodbye at Jamie's hospital window.
Hello creativity again! Cici & Jamie playing catch to keep his arms moving and mobility strong.
First time in his electric wheelchair & what does he do? Gets stuck! :) Mind you this chair weighs about 300 lbs & guess who had to get him un stuck.. he laughed the whole time.. funny guy .. :)
Happy 4th of July!
Daddy Jarboe & Jamie being sneaky! Jamie surprised me with a beautiful jewelry box with two photos of Cici & Lexi..
My poor guy.. No rest for the wicked! With limited therapists in the hospital and with Jamie's injury, I would have to do his PT & OT 3 times a day for about 1 1/2 each time to keep his muscles strong, stretch and flexible.
Even in his sleep he smiles -
Months after his injury Jamie was still confined to his hospital bed, in and out of ICU- his skin was so hyper sensitive sometimes, I couldnt touch him, this was one of our fun photos, I loved almost laying next to him,
Creativity at its finest- to keep Jamie active and moving, I bought him a nintendo ds game to try to play..
Happy Halloween from the Jarboe Family in the Hospital! 2011
Look at this crazy family!
Jamie decided to shave his head- who needs hair when you can't walk is what he said.. Silly guy!
Long days in a hospital a good nap is always needed!
Cici, Jamie & I one of the last times he was up in a hospital chair
Did he just roll his eyes at me? Funny guy after he gets out from surgery!
Sorry honey, no rest! We need to get stretching those legs!
MRI of Jamie's back- see the area where his spine & tissue used to be?
Jamie and my little brother Ken visiting us in the hospital! It was nice to have family there!
This is the amazing Mrs. Cao- a nail salon owner who found my wedding rings after I left in such a hurry.
When we would transfer hospitals- Jamie would have to take a private jet for transport with a medical team on board. Special Thank you to Tricare for helping with the costs for private transport!
Infinite Hero! Jamie giving thumbs up for gift from his aunt Mary Jane!
If you have the faith of a mustard seed, it will grow.. Jamie & I chose long before we married to put God first, spouse second and children third in our life.. we are blessed!
Jamie sitting up for the first time a long time in his wheelchair! Smiling again!
Creative moment 3,364 - who wants to play catch?
What does this button do?
SELFIE - Anyone? ME ME Me!
Hardcore CAVALRY baby!
Look at this over achiever exercising on his own!
Since Jamie could not eat- one day I decided to go buy a ton of snacks for his soldiers and asked him to help me pack the care packages! Creative moment 3,684 - Nailed it!
Some days I can just stare at him sleeping & imagine the day we get to go home!
Happy Family- together!
Apple juice! Mmmmm first thing in 5 months to drink! Happy Man!
Faith, Hope & Love - The greatest of these is Love!
Who wants to be on life support or a ventilator? Not this guy! Jamie's lungs collapsed for the 4th time, he had to have help breathing after he coded.
This is our life- back in the ICU months after his injury- through trial & tribulation, we will triumph!
CSM Cook came to visit Jamie in the hospital on his R&R from Afghanistan- Jamie was beyond happy!
Life support again.. after his 60th surgical procedure, Jamie's lungs collapsed - back on the ventilator
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