Jonathan David Hall was so intent on serving his country as a medic that he enlisted the help of his East Brainerd grandfather, a 40-year military veteran, to get into an elite Tennessee National Guard "active first" program.
For seven months, Pfc. Hall, who grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, lived with his grandparents, Jan and Don Priddy. With Mr. Priddy's help, he prepared for his enlistment, military testing and eventual acceptance as a medic. On Valentine's Day he was deployed to Afghanistan with the U.S. Army's 3rd of 187th Infantry Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky.
Pfc. Hall, 23, was fatally injured April 8 when an improvised explosive device blasted his vehicle.
His grandparents and family will lay him to rest Monday in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
"He loved Chattanooga," said his grandmother Wednesday, struggling not to cry.
Tennessee Army National Guard Capt. Jim Ridings helped Mr. Priddy get Pfc. Hall in uniform, signing him up first in the Tennessee National Guard. Recruits commit to 36 months of full-time Army service, then they can opt to return to the Guard or re-enlist in the Army.
"Very few qualify for the 'active first' program because it has a higher standard," Capt. Ridings said. "He was dedicated to becoming the best he could be ... and his focus was to help other people, whether that meant treating blisters on their feet or patching up open wounds."
Mr. Priddy said he often worked with his grandson to help prepare him for the Army and for combat.
Pfc. Hall loved the service and talked about making the military a career, his grandfather said.
"Even on this patrol, he volunteered to go because he wanted to be with his men. As it turned out, he was the one who did not survive the attack," Mr. Priddy said.
Pfc. Hall had signed an organ donor form, and his organs were given to six people.
"He gave life even in his death," Mr. Priddy said.
Pfc. Hall's funeral arrangements will be announced by Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home in Clarksville, Tenn. Online condolences may be made at the funeral home's Web site: www.neal-tarpley.com.