Boots On The Wire, War Not Left Behind

Local Soldiers Plan Trip to Honor Friend
WOWT News
By: Brian Mastre
Feb 09, 2015

“The last memory I have is of us throwing our boots on the wires,” said Hanson. “It's sort of a military tradition when you get out of the military – that you throw your boots on the power lines.

When you're on the battlefield, veterans will tell you that bond with your team is inseparable. But when you come home, it can be a struggle to fit in the slower pace of real life. Even more so if you've suffered a traumatic brain injury. Some local soldiers want to honor one of the men they came to respect serving in Iraq.

“He was one of the first people I met at Fort Bragg,” said Kyle Hanson of Omaha.

“He was one of the first people to take me around and show me the ropes. He quickly became one of my best friends,” said Jenna Vaughn of Lincoln.

Their friend – their fellow soldier, Specialist Jessie Lee Tolbert's final resting place became the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

He was 26.

“This man who was full of life,” said Vaughn. “He had the best smile and biggest blue eyes, and he was always there for his friends with a go-get-them attitude of honor that a lot of people don't get to see.”

“The last memory I have is of us throwing our boots on the wires,” said Hanson. “It's sort of a military tradition when you get out of the military – that you throw your boots on the power lines.

Last time I saw him, he was full of life. He said he'd catch us later – we had a beer and he got out of Dodge.”

Kyle Hanson and Jessie Tolbert provided base defense. They patrolled together as part of the 2-59th Field Service Company. They spent 13 months in Iraq.

“None of the phone numbers for him worked anymore,” said Kyle, “And so I went online to look for him – and I didn't find a phone number – but his obituary.”

Kyle knew his friend suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“It was often the topic of conversation when we would speak,” said Kyle.

But he thought Jessie was managing it best he could.

Friends acknowledge that on December 30th, 2012, he ended his own life.
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