Remembering Staff Sgt. Jason Dahlke

While Memorial Day is behind us, it is never too late to give tribute to our fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

News 3’s Meredith Ley ventured out to Fort McAllister today---as a local ranger was remembered in a very special way.  

 Ready. Set. Go!

It’s the third annual energy adventure challenge.

David Ackerman is the organizer and owner of Energy Oasis.

“It’s kind of a unique event where people kind of go all over the place. And find a certain amount of check points and kind of race at their own pace”

It’s the kind of course that is perfect for the military and for men like staff sergeant Jason Dahlke. And now because of him, David gave it a new name.

“I didn’t know Jason very well, but there was such an excitement for these kinds of things.”

Jason was a ranger assigned to the 1^st battalion, 75^th ranger regiment at hunter army.  He was killed in action back in 2009 while supporting operation enduring freedom in Afghanistan at just 29 years old.

Jason’s family says that as a ranger, he loved to run, kayak and bike. As a matter of fact, he won the first annual Energy Adventure Challenge. Now, David says it only makes sense to rename it in his honor.

“Everything he did in life, was this, and it’s our way of kind of keeping his spirit alive.”

Jason’s father, Rodger, couldn’t be more proud. He says family members race today in his memory.

“I think its fantastic, I think its what Jason would have liked.  Nicky--Jason’s wife is in the race---with Jason’s younger sister. The two of them are competing as a team. Jason’s brother in law is in town from Seattle for the race also.”

His sister is even using his bike that helped propel him in to that first place position back in 2009.

It’s a bitter sweet time for all of the Dahlkes. Rodger enjoys hearing stories about his son.

“The team that came in second place to Jason the first year, was actually his captain from his last deployment. And they are here today in the race trying to win. He said they were coming up here to the same spot and they thought they were going to win… and there is Jason sitting at the picnic table drinking a beer…he had been here for five minutes!”

Its events like today that will help keep Jason’s memory alive for years to come.

“We will be here every year for sure.”

Nearly 30 people took part in today's event in honor of Jason.