Freedom Friday-Jesse Kelly

Jesse Kelly

Honoring a patriot is so exciting and rewarding. This is probably one of my favorite days of the week. It is with great enthusiasm that I introduce you to Jesse Nolan Kelly, born of Steubenville, OH on July 20, 1981. The name in itself rings strong and noble. He lived in Toronto, Ohio until he was about ten years old, then moving on to Bozeman, Montana. Kelly had the All-American childhood of a boy, playing with G.I. Joes, toy guns, and pretending to be cowboys and Indians. Like many American boys Jesse also enjoyed hunting and fishing. When times were bad, or slow, fire works on the fourth of July provided for entertainment. When times were good they were able to make it to the amusement parks for extra fun. He played baseball and basketball in junior high and high school, but according to Jesse, he was awful. Jesse said, “I was skinny, slow, uncoordinated, had big feet, and was terrible.” He did have fun playing however. He had an older sister, Mickey, that he rivaled with, who is now an attorney in Oregon. His Dad was in the construction business and worked very hard. His mother stayed at home holding the fort down. Jesse recalls living the good life as a child, the American dream. He was a Christian and went to church early on in life and was baptized around the age of six or seven. He remembers his parents teaching them about personal responsibility and being the best that you can be. He says he remembers his parents telling him that, “Character is what you do when no one is watching”. Jesse began to backslide a little in his faith during his high school years and while he was in the Marine Core. Though he cannot remember the exact moment or date, he vividly remembers in 2003, about a week before the war was declared and before they crossed the enemy lines, his faith would be reestablished. Speaking with a chaplain, Jesse realized his separation from God and recommitted his life to Christ. Like most boys his hero growing up was his father. To Jesse, his father was the biggest and most powerful person in the world. Love, admiration, and respect resounded in his voice as he spoke of his father. I could sense a respect that he carried for him, both then and now. While his father was his hero, his mother probably had the greatest influence on who he is today. In Jesse's own words, “My mother was really special. She had the biggest heart of anyone I know. She taught me what kindness really is”. Jesse does not recall a strong desire for any specific career while growing up. He was always interested in business. He went to Montana State University for one year after high school. Feeling as though his life needed some straightening out and getting put back on the right track he was pulled to the Marine Corps. He had always had a natural boyish draw to the military as this was evident in his G.I. Joe and toy gun collection days. His parents supported him but were naturally afraid for his safety, as any parent would be. One of the hardest lessons Jesse has learned is that you never have truer friends than the ones you fight with in battle. Unfortunately he also experienced the devastating loss of some of those true friends. This is a great example of John 15:13, “Greater love has no man than this, that one lay down his life for his brother”. Going to war is difficult enough in itself as it presents many opportunities for fear and the unknown. For Jesse one of the most difficult missions he went on was on the first or second day into the war. His team was seizing an oil field and they came across some Iraqi Republican Guard troops who had taken a five year old girl. In front of Jesse and his team, the Iraqi Republican Guard shot the little five year old girl in the chest and left her lying there in the road, knowing the Marines would reach out to her and assist her. It was at that pivotal moment that Jesse came to the realization that these men were horrible animals. His team of course picked her up and brought her to medical assistance. To this day he does not know the status of the precious girl's life. Jesse did not get to experience many desirable tours around the world during his service, but his favorite place is the beaches of Okinawa. He enjoyed the beautiful water and scenery. Everywhere else, according to him, was a dump. Kelly served and completed for years in the Marine Corps with an honorable discharge. After proudly serving his country Jesse moved on to work in the family construction business in Tucson, AZ. Managing multimillion dollar infrastructure projects for state and local governments, his duties included: estimating, scheduling, budget analysis, and human resource management. Jesse began leaning in a different direction other than the construction business when the current administration started passing reckless legislation and radical bills, such as the $787 billion Spending Bill, with his son's money and that of his future grandchildren. Jesse, quite differently than most, went to prayer as he seriously considered running for office. He went to his wife, Aubrey, who is also his best friend and confidant. They prayed together and discussed the possibility of him running for office in great detail before making the final decision. He recalls sitting on the couch and watching the news in astonishment as the Spending Bill passed. It was then that the final decision was made. It was time to stop these people. Although George Washington is Kelly's favorite all-time president, Ronald Reagan provides a model example for Jesse as he enters the political arena. Jesse always loved America and thought it was a great country. Now, he knows it is the greatest nation. He says that a government who is taking care of you ends up controlling you and that is not American. I asked Jesse if he will allow God to lead him in his decision making as a politician. His response, “Absolutely, it is who I am, how can I deny that? It is in line with what I believe”. Kelly promises to listen to the voice of the people when voting on and passing legislation. In his own words, “We're fighting for you. We're gonna take our country back, take heart”. He is not certain if he will make a career out of politics or not. His main goal is to defend his country and to get it back on the path it needs to be on. He has no idea where God will lead him next. Jesse Kelly is involved with his church and enjoys every moment he can get with his family. He greatly enjoys the time he gets to spend with his wife and best friend, Aubrey. They met in college and he proposed to her ten months later. She was there on a gymnastics scholarship. Aubrey is his best friend and he brings everything to her in confidence. Jesse says that their marriage and life get better every day. Without Aubrey, who is willing to stay at home and manage the household and the family, he would never be able to do what he is doing. I don't know about you, but this sounds like a very wise man. One that recognizes that behind every strong and good man, there is a stronger woman. I think he is going to do a fantastic job, based on his previous performances. He seems to realize when he is getting off track and understands what it takes to get back on. He is not ashamed to seek guidance from our Heavenly Father or from those wiser than him. He is not too proud to find strength and support through his wife. Jesse has served and protected our nation with heroic efforts and true honor and patriotism. He seems to have a sense of foresight and knowledge of the effects of reckless government and legislation. Learning from history and standing firm to the Constitution, Jesse Kelly is a true patriot and all-American. God bless you Jesse Kelly and good-luck. May God bless you and may God bless America.