My friend and colleague, Erin J and I have been in touch tonight about her brother Clayton. I know many of you are devoted praying folks and I am asking you tonight and in the weeks ahead to keep Clayton and the Jarolimek family in your prayers.
Clayton is a US Naval Academy graduate. Following his graduation he chose then to go into the Marines. On Monday, he was seriously injured in Afghanistan. The injuries are to his face and eyes. The swelling is severe and they have not been able to perform surgery. It is a miracle that he is alive. Everything is too soon to know what the next steps are. Please pray for Clayton, his medical team, his wife (they just married in January) and the entire Jarolimek family. Please also pray Clayton gets transported in a safe and timely manner back to San Diego so he can receive the best medical treatment and needed surgeries. His family also will then be able to see him again.
I have previously spent time with Dawn and Craig Jarolimek. They are the most proud parents of Clayton and his accomplishments. As a parent I cannot imagine what they are going through right now. The entire Jarolimek family are outgoing, fun loving and the genuinely kind people you want to visit with each time you see them. Dawn was one my first visitors to our prairie home as she made a special point on work road trip she had to come visit me. They are thoughtful, hard working people who tonight are thankful their only son is alive but anguished over what the future holds and what the next steps are for him in days ahead.
Often you hear a “wounded”, “seriously injured” or “killed” soldier headline in the news and you have no connection to who they really are. But tonight, there is a North Dakota boy thousands of miles away that is no longer just a headline name to you and he needs your uplifting prayers.
Thank you in advance for praying for Clayton.
You can read the Grand Forks Herald article by clicking here to learn more about Clayton, his injuries and read what his family members shared.
Katie, this precious Marine, his wife and all of his family are in my prayers. As a Marine Mom, it is so very hard to hear of these thing happening. And then to find out he is a close friend of yours makes it so much harder. The Lord is in control and we will all pray,believing Clayton will be healed. Please pass our love and concern on to the family if you speak to them. God Bless our Marines, all military and God Bless America!!! Dorine
Thanks Dorine. Your comment made me cry. You are such a wonderful Marine mom and thank you for always praying.
Katie: I know that you don’t know me but I love to read your blog each day. M Luiken is my sister in law and that is how I connect with you. We will be remembering your friend, Clayton in our prayers. We too have family serving in the military (son just retired from the AF -29 yrs, and a daughter still active in the AF) so I can readily relate. God knows and loves His own and we will continue to pray! Yes, God bless America and so thankful for those who serve to protect our great nation!
Katie: I know that you don’t know me but I love to read your blog each day. M Luiken is my sister in law and that is how I connect with you. We will be remembering your friend, Clayton in our prayers. We too have family serving in the military (son just retired from the AF -29 yrs, and a daughter still active in the AF) so I can readily relate. God knows and loves His own and we will continue to pray! Yes, God bless America and so thankful for those who serve to protect our great nation!
Katie: I know that you don’t know me but I love to read your blog each day. M Luiken is my sister in law and that is how I connect with you. We will be remembering your friend, Clayton in our prayers. We too have family serving in the military (son just retired from the AF -29 yrs, and a daughter still active in the AF) so I can readily relate. God knows and loves His own and we will continue to pray! Yes, God bless America and so thankful for those who serve to protect our great nation!
Katie: I know that you don’t know me but I love to read your blog each day. M Luiken is my sister in law and that is how I connect with you. We will be remembering your friend, Clayton in our prayers. We too have family serving in the military (son just retired from the AF -29 yrs, and a daughter still active in the AF) so I can readily relate. God knows and loves His own and we will continue to pray! Yes, God bless America and so thankful for those who serve to protect our great nation!
Katie: I know that you don’t know me but I love to read your blog each day. M Luiken is my sister in law and that is how I connect with you. We will be remembering your friend, Clayton in our prayers. We too have family serving in the military (son just retired from the AF -29 yrs, and a daughter still active in the AF) so I can readily relate. God knows and loves His own and we will continue to pray! Yes, God bless America and so thankful for those who serve to protect our great nation!
Is he in the hospital in Germany? that is where maggie is as an Army nurse…they get all the wounded from Afghanistan….
Thanks for the comments ladies. Always appreciate your prayers and reading this blog. Katie, I read on Erin’s FB page that Clayton made it to Germany last night and was able to call home. She talked to him today. So YES he is there now and if Maggie is there too…that would be amazing. I’m going to tell Erin.
thanks for sharing, Katie! I am praying for Clayton. Very small world—I read the article you linked, and I know Erin Jarolimek! I was college roommates at St. Cloud State with Erin’s best friend, Ginger. Erin is a load of fun–love her!! Praying things are well with the Jarolimek family.