It was January of 2010, when my husband, just a PFC then, came home and said, "Well, I met our new NCO today. He seems pretty cool. You wouldn't believe how he introduced himself to our company." Apparently, Jeff, a really small framed guy of Asian decent, addresses the company something like this, "My name is SGT. Sherer, and for those of you wondering, since I'm Asian; NO I dont drive a little rice burner race car. I drive a big ass F250!" Like he was trying not to be mistaken as anything less than an extremely 'hooah' soldier. Here, only for work and preaching the good word of the Army. He wanted to be taken seriously, he was driven, he was the first to show, last to leave and would have nothing to do with anything that might get him into trouble.
So, my husband goes on to tell me he is outside at the appointed 'smoking station' and some cocky E4 comes up and tries to tell him he cant smoke there and to get on the ground for push ups. SGT. Sherer, overhearing this (and never meeting Dave personally before) steps in and in not so many words, tells that E4 right where to go, that he had given Dave permission to smoke there. The E4 walks away, with an, "I'm sorry Sergeant, I didn't know," and Jeff lit one up too. It was at that spot him and Dave became good friends. That major pinpoint in Dave's life, in OUR lives, that seemed so insignificant at the time, but that I know led to the greatest friendship I have, and one hell of a headful of sweet memories. That single point in time, where he stood up for my husband and really seemed to yank on my husbands heart. I asked my husband to be sure to invite him over for dinner one night. We were looking for a decent person with out the drama to become friends with anyway. Jeff sure seemed to fit the bill.
Day after day, Dave came home and told me Sgt. Sherer said no, nope sorry babe, SGT. doesnt wanna have any friends and wont get involved with other privates. Which, in knowing Army 'code', is just as well. Your CO's frown upon fraternization with anyone below you in rank.
One day, I was dropping my husband off at the company, and saw Jeff getting out of his truck. I called him over to our truck and asked him to dinner, which finally, he agreed to. Then simply walked away with a smile.
Our lives for the next year and a half were full of Jeff Sherer, and all of his little crazy ways, his empty beer cans all over my house, him passing out drunk on our couch, putting hot sauce on all my dinners, ruining them, and long talks of girl trouble and "Nikki, what should I do? What do you think?" Nevertheless, all the guys were deployed in April of 2011, something we all dread. It is just inconcievable to me that God would put so special of a person in our life. Our son will always know his "Uncle Jeff" and will be told so many stories for many years to come. Jeff may not have been in our life for long but put simply- he was iN OUR LIFE...and for a reason.
When I said goodbye to Jeff for deployment, he didnt want anyone there, didnt even want me to go, but since my hubby was leaving too, HE had NO choice. I saw Jeff outside smoking and Dave and I walked over so I could say goodbye. He was on the phone with another soldier, so I quickly snapped a picture with my phone, hugged him, said love you Stud, and walked away... thats the last time I saw him in person. Jeff I have SO many memories of you and I know you live on. In the words of your cousin Amanda...you are, and always have been "larger than life"... I miss you. We will see you in Arlington in December. XO.
