Dear Editor,
Jeramy Ailes was a student at Rod Kelley Year-Round Elementary
School. I was Jeramy and his sister, Jennifer’s, principal at Rod
Kelley School. I remember Jeramy as rather reserved and never
wanting the attention others desired.
Dear Editor,
Jeramy Ailes was a student at Rod Kelley Year-Round Elementary School. I was Jeramy and his sister, Jennifer’s, principal at Rod Kelley School. I remember Jeramy as rather reserved and never wanting the attention others desired. He didn’t participate in our lunch recess intramural sports activities, nor our student government programs. He got along with everyone, smiling and hung around with his close friends.
Jeramy was a good kid; never a discipline problem, except once. I do remember one incident when Jeramy and two other friends got into mischief as 6th graders. As I questioned them in my office and listened to “their side of the story,” I remember Jeramy standing behind his two friends. As the two friends nervously shared their version, I remember Jeramy saying very little, but he had this mischievous smile on his face. I remember saying to myself, “is he understanding his actions and impact of his behavior,” and “is Jeramy the instigator and the other two following his lead?” They all received some detention.
As educators, we try to instill in our students personal qualities of getting along with everyone and always trying their best. Jeramy exemplified these two qualities. He served his country helping our nation and others in a distant land far from America. He not only tried his best, but gave his best. I, along with our community and nation, am proud of Jeramy Ailes. I wish I could shake his hand and tell him how proud I am of him and to thank him for giving his best.
It saddens and angers me every time an American soldier is killed. I cry each time it’s a soldier I know, like Jeramy Ailes. I pray that the other soldiers from Rod Kelley School and from Gilroy and all over the United States come home safely soon. These images of war brings back memories of my family and friends who served in Vietnam. I don’t want to visit another memorial wall and rub the name of a loved one. Jeramy, I shall remember you as a fine, young man with a smile worth remembering. Thank you for the privilege of knowing you.
Gene K. Sakahara,
Former Principal, Rod Kelley School
