by Stacey Kolozs

Created on: April 02, 2010

Last night a friends three children went to bed and all was well in their world. This morning they woke up to the news that their father was hit by a drunk driver and killed.

This man who chose to consume alcohol and then get behind the wheel of his car escaped with minor cuts and bruises. Isn’t that usually the way it happens? He kills a man who is doing nothing but driving home from work.  The man he killed was an upstanding guy who served this country in our military at home and overseas. He had a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Forensics, and a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice.  He was an MP from 2005 until his death; and from 1990-1993 a Combat Medic in USAR; 1993-2005 served in Mortuary Affairs.  He earned the Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) X2; Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) X5; Army Achievement Medal (AAM) X6 and then some.  He was inducted into the Quartermaster Corps Venerable Order of St. Martin.  Jason served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (2007-2009); Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003); Multinational Force and Observers Sinai on Egypt-Israeli Border (2004); Operation Noble Eagle-Human Remains Recovery at the Pentagon 9/11 (Sep-Oct 2001); Operation Hurricane Andrew Relief (1992).

This man who killed him shouldn't have even been on the road that night.  He was supposed to be in jail.  A judge, in his infinite wisdom, delayed his incarceration until May.  Now three young children have to grow up without their father. A man who left not only a kitchen remodel in process, but a life in process. Yet the drunk driver is unscathed.

Death, whether expected or not, is never easy for those left behind. When it’s unexpected, it’s that much harder. Well-meaning people will tell you that in time you’ll feel better. That time heals all wounds. That’s bullshit. Time doesn’t make it better. Time doesn’t heal the wounds.  My dad will be gone 10 years this year and it still hurts. It’s not better. All the passage of time does is help you to deal with the pain and the anger.

I hope the passage of time is kinder to his children. I hope they can learn to not define their lives as before and after. They have learned far too early that life is unfair. RIP Jason.

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