Captain Jackylin Crystal Merolla – Kiss Country Salutes

Every week, Kiss Country is making a special point to thank all those incredible men and women who have served our great country! We appreciate the sacrifices made by service personnel and their families, this week we salute Captain Jackylin Crystal Merolla. Read her story and show support for Jackylin and her family!

I would like to salute my beautiful daughter, Captain Jackylin Crystal Merolla. Jackylin has always shown courage and determination in her goals. She decided early on in highschool that she wanted to join the military, and after talking it over, we decided going to college first would be the best thing for her. She has had to work hard at the physical part of her job, but has always been able to conquer any weaknesses there. She is a born leader, always putting her fellow soldiers first, whether it be staying up all night making Christmas cookies for her squadron, or checking on their families during a deployment. She goes above and beyond every day in her thoughts and compassion for her flight. Jackylin has served two deployments. The first one, leaving around Christmas time in 2007 for Iraq. As soon as she landed, she got the news that her adoring grandmother had pass ed away, and she was heartsick that she could not be home with her family at that time. She came back from her second tour last year. She had been in Iraq when they told the soldiers there, they would all be going home. Jackylin got in line to board the plane to come home, when they told her, "Oh no ma'am, you won't be going home, you will be headed to Afghanistan." Her family was all ready anticipating her return thinking she was on a plane. You can imagine their dismay when we got the call that instead of coming home, she would be heading for Afghanistan. She hated to tell us, but explained to us that this is what she does and who she is. She is dedicated to our country. She is the true picture of a great leader, caring, compassionate, and tough when need be. Her family is very proud of her as a soldier, daughter, sister, and friend.

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