Army Specialist Jared J. Raymond

Remember Our Heroes

Army Specialist Jared J. Raymond, 20, of Swampscott, Mass.

Specialist Raymond was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Sept. 19 in Balad, Iraq, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his M1A2 Abrams Tank during combat operations in Taji, Iraq.

Swampscott mourns fallen son
By Peter Gelzinis
Boston Herald Columnist

War came home to Swampscott today, and for several hours this North Shore community held its breath in tribute to Jared John Raymond, the quintessential boy next door who made one last hero’s journey through the broken heart of a town he called home.

Ten days ago, and half a world away in Taji, Iraq, an improvised explosive device went off underneath the tank Army Specialist Raymond was driving. It ended the dream this gregarious 20-year-old kid had so carefully nurtured. Jared Raymond wanted to become a police officer.

Legions of police officers and firefighters guided his flag-draped coffin on a procession to the cemetery early this afternoon, amid the sounds of muffled drums and stifled sobs.

Life in Swampscott stopped as thousands of Jared Raymond’s neighbors raised their hands in salute, placed them over their hearts, or tried in vain to stop the flow of tears.

Swampscott names traffic square after fallen soldier
By Debra Glidden
Thursday, October 5, 2006

SWAMPSCOTT -- The corner of Essex and Burrill Streets is officially named after Army Specialist Jared Raymond, who is the first soldier in town killed in the Iraq War.

Raymond, who grew up not far from the intersection now named in his honor, was killed Sept. 19 when he was responding to an attack on a convoy. According to the Army, an improvised explosive device blew up the tank he was riding in. He joined the Army in July of 2004, less than a month after his graduation from Swampscott High School.His classmates, family and friends described the only child as a kid with a heart of gold and a real hero who wanted to serve his country.

At its meeting Wednesday evening the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to name the intersection "Jared Raymond Square."

The petition to name the intersection was submitted by Veterans Agent James Schultz, who said Raymond should never be forgotten.

Several of Raymond's relatives were present at the meeting when the vote was taken to honor the memory of a native son, who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

Jaclyn Raymond, who is the mother of the fallen soldier, said she is grateful for the outpouring of support she received from the community when she lost her only child.She said the students in town who lined the route with signs and flags between the church and cemetery touched her.

"It was beautiful," she said.

Agnes Raymond was also present to witness the vote that named the intersection of Essex and Burrill Streets after her grandson. She said Jared would have been a little embarrassed by all the attention.

"He never wanted any fuss," she said.

Airman Michael Dunnigan, who graduated from SHS with Jared in 2004, was home on leave for the funeral was also in attendance. He said he was pleased the town chose to honor his classmate in this manner.

"He was a real hero," he said.

Schultz said he would order a bronze plaque and he hopes to have a dedication service on Nov. 11, which is Veterans Day.

Army Specialist Jared J. Raymond was killed in action on 09/19/06.