Hilton, N.Y. – “He was there like six-months came home for a visit, went back, and then was killed at Christmas,” said Dan Hasenauer as he showed us pictures hanging on his dining room wall of his son Jason.
Jason Hasenauer was killed while serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan on December 28, 2005.
Since his death his three younger brothers have joined the military.
“[I’m] very proud,” said Hasenauer. “They do it for the memory of their brother.”
Dan Hasenauer is a veteran himself, but watching his sons deploy has always been difficult – and more so since Jason was killed.
“You get nervous when they're deployed and you know say a lot of prayers,” said Hasenauer.
Ten years after the start of the Iraq war, he reflects on when his son Jeremy deployed with the Air Force.
“I don't know if it will ever be over,” said Hasenauer about the Iraq war. “Same with Afghanistan, it was tough the stuff he's seen.”
But even as the wars wind down, it’s the lasting affects war has on the men and women who serve and their families that Hasenauer is more then aware of. It is why he continues to reach out and support those in uniform.
“Give them hug and thank them a lot,” said Hasenauer. “That's the biggest thing, thank these kids for what they're doing for us.”
