On the debut episode of Northern Michigan Hometown Heroes, 9&10 News web producer and Air Force veteran, Jessica Selissen is joined by Jack and Valerie Diener.
Jack and Valerie Diener are residents of Boyne City and the parents of Private First Class Jackie Lee Diener II.
Diener gradated from Boyne City High School in 2009 and enlisted into the U.S. Army in March of 2011. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York as a Cavalry Scout.
He passed away on November 21, 2011 in Kandahar Province after insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.
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Diener was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal for his service during Operation Enduring Freedom.
During the first episode Jessica talks to the Diener’s to learn more about who their son was before he enlisted.
It was important to his family for people to know that while Jackie loved serving his country, there was more to him than just the Army.