With the Little Rock Air Force Base located in Jacksonville, you might not think Bryant would be home to many military families. We are, however, very fortunate to have over 300 military children in our Hornet community.

The Jones Family is part of Bryant Elementary. Jenna Jones, a paraprofessional at the school, is mom to two boys, Barrett and Brody. Husband and father, Aaron, is a staff sergeant in the Army National Guard, which he joined in 2000.

Staff Sergeant Jones’ role in military service is one that has fortunately enabled his family to stay in the same home and the children at the same school. He is typically away one weekend a month and two weeks during the summer for annual training at Ft. Chaffee. SSG Jones has been deployed several times, including Iraq in 2004 and 2007. His training as an Army medic allowed him to not only take care of American soldiers but help the Iraqi people during his time in their country.

When the boys were 5 and 2 years old, SSG Jones was deployed to Djibouti, Africa. Jenna says, “It was a very hard year, because we all missed Aaron. He missed many firsts: first year of school, first lost tooth, potty training. But the best is when he comes home and all is right in our world again. And we get to make up for lost time by showing him everything we have learned while he was away.” 

With Aaron abroad, the Bryant Elementary team stepped in to help the family. “They supported us and loved us. I had friends check on us almost daily, to see if we needed anything—from mowing our own lawn, to making dinner, to watching my boys so I could have a break.” 

SSG Jones’ responsibilities in the Army National Guard also include responding to natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods stateside. In fact, he was one of the very first medics who landed at the Super Dome during Hurricane Katrina to provide medical care. Jenna says, “Aaron is often away from our family during these kinds of events. He is handing out blankets and food on the freeway during snow storms, or out protecting other families.”

The Jones family is very proud of their serviceman. “One of my favorite stories is when Aaron rescued a young girl about the age of 13 in Iraq. She was the only surviving member of her family and had suffered serious injury to her jaw. She could hardly eat, so the soldiers were taking her to the hospital for surgery. The young girl would not leave her donkey, all she had left of her family. The troops spent hours trying to get a donkey in the back of a Humvee so she could receive much needed medical treatment.” 

Bryant Schools wants to thank the Jones Family for making Bryant their home and for the sacrifices they make for our freedom.