Returned vet Jesse Lorentz discovers life after wartime
From our weekly issue dated May 05, 2010
IVHS graduate Jesse Lorentz (top row, third from right), poses with fellow soldiers near an armoured vehicle in Iraq (Photo provided)
He“s spent most of the past year in Iraq serving his country, but 23-year-old Illinois Valley resident Jesse Lorentz now is looking to get settled back into civilian life.
Lorentz grew up in and around Illinois Valley, and was a student at Evergreen Elementary School, Lorna Byrne Middle School and Illinois Valley High School. He graduated in 2004 and went to Rogue Community College for a year before spending three years majoring in English at Pacific University in Portland.
In October 2008, Lorentz joined the Oregon National Guard. His longtime goal has been to become a police officer, he said, but he lacked the necessary experience and hoped to acquire it through military service.
He shipped out to Fort Sill, Okla. for basic and advanced individual training. His daughter was born in spring 2009 while he was in advanced training, and Lorentz got to come home for eight days and meet her before heading to Iraq in summer 2009.
While stationed in that Middle Eastern nation, Lorentz spent much of his time riding atop Humvees and armored support vehicles as a machine gunner.
“We covered millions of miles,“ Lorentz said.
Missions included participation in convoy escort teams and route reconnaissance and combat patrols, Lorentz said. His travels took him all across Iraq, he said, to areas near its borders with Jordan, Kuwait and Iran. Those trips across barren desert roads gave him a clear perspective on the status of U.S. efforts to rebuild Iraq.
“It“s a lot better there,“ Lorentz said. “It“s nowhere near like it was.“
He said that when U.S. convoys drove through Baghdad, civilians of all ages would wave at them. He added that soldiers would throw Gatorade and food toward the crowds.
“It“s still real life and people still die, but our mission is working,“ he said.
After completing his tour in Iraq, Lorentz and his unit returned, and were at Fort Lewis in Washington state for two weeks of demobilization and reintegration training. Lorentz spent part of the time in Canby taking tests to join the Oregon State Police.
Lorentz, who is on active duty until May 20, was among the soldiers in a demobilization ceremony in Forest Grove. They were escorted by fire trucks, police cars and the Freedom Riders motorcycle group as citizens lined the streets in a sign of support.
Even though he could indulge in some well-needed rest, Lorenz already has begun looking into applying to work at OSP and other law enforcement agencies so that he can begin the next phase of his career. He“s also spending time with his family and contemplating long-term plans to finish his education.
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