About The Jarett Yoder Memorial Fund

Jarett Yoder was a fun, laid back, energetic man who loved to do anything active outdoors, sit around a fire, and of course, fly helicopters. Jarett began the process of achieving his dream of flying helicopters while he was deployed to Iraq from September 2008-2009. He studied so much in Iraq he got made fun of! But, Jarett was not going to give up his dream. After returning home, he continued his flight packet and anxiously awaited a phone call. The day he got the call to go to the flight board, was one that included exciting, scared, and “is this real” type feelings. Jarett thought be failed the boards he was so nervous! Of course, he didn’t. That evening he received an unofficial call saying that he was accepted. We weren’t sure what to do with this information! The days between getting the call in April and leaving for Fort Rucker July 3, 2010 were crazy. Jarett left for flight school to finally fly his helicopters! I was fortunate enough to move to Fort Rucker with Jarett and be able to soak up every minute of his little schoolboy excitement! It was amazing to witness how happy a 24 year-old man could be. During flight school, Jarett also continued to play soccer Saturday mornings, and often went mountain biking Sunday mornings. We traveled to the beach often and tried to experience the Southern culture as much as we could. After graduating from flight school in April 2012, we moved home to PA and Jarett begin his progression with the new unit, 1-104th ARB Bravo Company. During these crazy few months, we knew Jarett was deploying in August, and we were getting married July 7. We had the wedding of our dreams; it was beyond perfect. On August 21, 2012 I watched Jarett get on the white bus to head to Fort Hood for pre-mobilization training. We were lucky enough Jarett was able to come home for a week over Thanksgiving. It was wonderful. I knew that once I took him to the airport on November 28 that I wouldn’t see him again for 9-10 months. I was okay with this, knowing it was Jarett’s dream to fly. Little did I knew that November 28 would be the last day I would be able to hug and kiss my husband. April 9, 2013 at about 3:30pm I got the dreaded notification. In the weeks following I had to determine how I would carry on my husbands memory. I chose to start the Jarett Yoder Memorial Fund. The plans are to have many events throughout the year to raise money to donate to various charities. The charities are determined after thorough research and are based on Jaretts beliefs. I only pick charities and organizations that I know Jarett would be proud to represent. We received so much support and help during such a difficult time, that I hope to be able to help others during times of needs also. My goal is to always make Jarett proud.