The Biesinger Family--Jay, Emma, Lauren, Katie Jane and their dad, Lt. Will BiesingerSJHS Staff Writer
What started out as a normal Thursday turned into a once in a lifetime Thursday for Jay Biesinger and his 5th period class. Jay was in for a big surprise, one that he’ll remember for the rest of his life. It all started with a knock on the door.
“Mr. Bake walked in the door and said ‘Can I interrupt?’ Then a man walked in wearing an army uniform. The second he walked in, Jay ran over to him saying ‘Dad, dad you’re back!’” recalled Ian Lindsey, a 7th grader in Jay’s English class. Jay’s dad, Lt. Will Biesinger, is serving in Afghanistan with the Utah Army National Guard. Many others in the class remember the moment as heartwarming, touching, and amazing. “It was one of the sweetest things that I have seen since becoming a teacher,” Ms. Rachel Neeley said. It was a memorable moment for anyone who saw it. There were few dry eyes as the father and son walked off down the hallway together for the first time in a long time.
Jay, his three sisters, Emma, Lauren, and Katie and his mom, Julie, were thrilled to have Jay’s dad, Will Biesinger back. He was taking two weeks R&R, but the family didn’t expect him until later on in the week. “My dad is one of the fun parents,” Jay proudly reported. While Lt. Biesinger was in Utah with his family, he put up a basketball hoop and hung out with his family. When he gets home, Jay has plans to play lots of basketball on the new hoop with him.
“Jay’s dad joined the Utah Army National Guard after the events of September 11th. He is a great patriot, and we are so proud of him,” Jay’s mom Julie proudly stated. “He is my hero, for leaving his family to protect them,” Jay Biesinger happily claimed.
While in Afghanistan, Will does a variety of things such as digging wells, working with the Afghanistan National Army to help fight the Taliban, and helping build schools for children. “Will says that the key to Afghanistan becoming a stronger country is education. Most of the women living in Afghanistan are not allowed to go to school, and then they are not educated to teach their own children. 90% of the people in Afghanistan can’t read. Their lives are mostly about basic survival,” Julie Biesinger explained.
Lt. Will Biesinger with members of the Afghanistan National ArmyThe price that the Biesinger family is willing to pay to fight for our country is great. We are indebted to Will and his family for their daily sacrifices for us and our country. Because of honorable, courageous men like Will, we are able to wake up every morning in a free country and enjoy the blessings of liberty day after day. What would the world be like with out our soldiers, our National Guard, our Navy and our Marines and most of all, without the extraordinary people like Will and his family?
