Jason L. Paton, Army, Staff Sergeant -- Rest In Peace

Jason L. Paton, 25

Army, Staff Sergeant

Based: Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

Supporting: Operation Iraqi Freedom

Died: August 22, 2007

Multaka, Iraq

Engaged

Gender: Male

Hometown: Poway

High School: Poway High (Poway)

Burial: Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego

Paton's mother, Kim Bilbrey of Poway, spoke briefly to her son on Monday and, as usual, he was talking about what he would do when he got home.

“He said he was very excited about getting married,” Bilbrey said.

Her only son was to have been back in Hawaii last month, but that was delayed when ... U.S. deployments were extended ... as part of the troop surge that began early this year.

Paton's decision to enlist in the Army after graduating from Poway High School in 2000 surprised his mother, but his decision to stick with his men did not.

“He was surfing one day at Black's and he just decided to join the Army,” Bilbrey said.

Once in the Army, Paton thrived, graduating from Airborne School and Ranger training and making rank quickly.

“You could see in Jason's personality a sense of duty to country,” said Wayne Branstetter, Paton's high school wrestling coach.

Despite the cachet of elite schools and the combat tours, Paton never changed when he can home to Poway.

“Everyone wanted to be around him. He was just so much fun. His laughter was contagious,” said Liz Reese, 25, who had known Paton since they were both 11.

“I want people to remember his strength, his devotion. How everyone was drawn to him,” Bilbrey said. “He was a happy person. He would do anything for people. He was a tough kid who had done a lot.”

Read more about Army Staff Sergeant Jason L. Paton here and here.