by Samantha Crawford

A man that is not only a loving husband and a role model to his son, but also an exemplary individual of the New Jersey Air National Guard, Jason Pagan is this week’s Warrior of the Week.

The 33-year old joined the Air Force in 2002 and was stationed in Japan for two years. When he came back to the United States in 2005, he was transferred to the New Jersey Air National Guard reserve, and later offered his current staff sergeant position of the 177th fighter wing out of Atlantic City.

When he came back from Japan, he joined the reserves. However, he wanted to become fully active, and decided to take action to do so in 2007, said wife, Kim Pagan.

“All he ever talks about is defending our rights and defending our freedom,” said Kim. He loves it because “he has opportunities he wouldn’t have had.”

He has been able to fly out to Japan, Texas and Arizona…not to mention fly in a fighter jet.

Jason now works out of Atlantic City, which means he's apart from his wife and his 3-year-old son, Jayden, for two days a week.

“He sometimes feels defeated that he has to go away from his family but when people tell him thank you, he remembers why he does it,” said Kim. “It means a lot to him.”

Fortunately, the option to video chat makes time apart between father and son a little bit easier.

When he’s not in Atlantic City supporting our country and the country’s efforts, Jason can be seen doing martial arts or using the smoker he received for Father’s Day to make his wife and son a three-course dinner.

 

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