Fallen Hero PFC Jeremy L. Drexler, United States Army” title=

PFC Jeremy L. Drexler

July 20,1980 - May 2, 2004
U.S. Army

Jeremy Lee Drexler was born to Karl and Deborah Griffin Drexler in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He graduated from Washburn Rural High School in 1999, enlisted in the Army in November of 2002 and was deployed to Iraq in January of 2004. For Debbie Drexler, the moment she and husband Karl feared most since their son Jeremy was deployed to Iraq came on May 2 of that year. An Army major in full dress uniform accompanied by a chaplain was at the door of their Topeka home. Their son had died in Baghdad when his convoy vehicle hit an improvised explosive device.

States his mother, “Jeremy was trained to be a fighter and he died a fighter. ”Deborah Drexler, whose father was a military chaplain, said her son knew she didn’t want him to go to Iraq, but he felt it was his duty. “He knew how much I loved him and cared for him and didn’t want him to go,” She said. “Jeremy was the kindest fellow ever. He was a very giving person, good hearted. He would give the shirt off his back if it would help somebody. He was the finest young man who ever lived.”

Jeremy’s brothers, Navy Seaman Tim Drexler, 21 at the time, and Marine Lance Cpl. Kenny Drexler 20 at the time, along with the Fort Riley Honor Guard, served as pallbearers at Jeremy’s funeral. Debbie informs me that her husband Karl has since passed away, and her two living sons are still in the military serving our country. She asks that we pray for their safety. Words cannot express our sympathy and gratitude to this family. And it certainly has been my honor to paint this portrait for a very deserving and brave mother.

Portrait sponsored by:
Jerry and Mary Price, Rochester, Minnesota