I struggle to find the right words today. I lost this friend to cancer this week. I served with him and was honored to do so. I can’t think of another person that I’ve ever known that cared about people more than SSG James Day. As an NCO, he not only knew my name, but the names of my kids as well. He didn’t just know their names, he knew their goals and dreams and encouraged them throughout their lives into adulthood. He then knew their kids names.

And so, it was not a surprise to me today when I looked at his Facebook page. There are literally hundreds of tributes to this man from both former students and their parents. He changed lives, befriended everyone, and was a light to all. He will be so missed. RIP SSG James Day.