Meet the troops: Sgt. Jeff Jackson

Sgt. Jeff Jackson

A former instructor who trained soldiers on Bradley Fighting Vehicles at Fort Lewis near Tacoma, Jackson, 40, of Lapwai, was attached to Delta Company’s 1st Platoon, 2nd Squad when the 116th was activated earlier this year and has spent months in intensive training.

He has family around Lewiston and Lapwai, and is engaged to be married.

During his two-week leave earlier this month he and his fiancée, Sylvia, tried to move up the wedding plans, “But it didn’t work out.” They are planning a wedding for his half-tour leave next spring.

So instead, Jackson and Sylvia drove the backcountry around Lawpai. He was hunting, the story went. Really, he said, he didn’t try for deer or elk. It was more like he was hunting for memories and images of Idaho’s fall beauty.

“We brought binoculars and a camera. She’s sent me pictures,” he said. He spent time with his three children, his sisters, a brother, and his mom.

The Nez Perce Tribe, of which Jackson is a member, held a ceremony for him as he returned to his unit. There was drumming, the singing of an honor song and the presentation of an eagle feather.