Memories of a Green Beetle

The following was contributed by Vera Valentine, a friend and fellow counselor from Jamin's Camp Elim days in High School.

I met J.B. at Camp I think in 98', and am a couple of years younger than he was. I remember once, being so happy to get picked up by the shiny green beetle and ride safely (I do also remember feeling so safe with him at the wheel) up to camp for a training week I think. I don't remember much of that weekend except for that in a fairly rough game of "full contact" spoons,
J.B. managed to rip a hole through a new shirt of mine. We were both very surprised but I assured him not to worry, it was only a small hole and told him it could be repaired.

On the way home J.B. pulled off the highway to I think some castle rock outlets. I was not sure
what he was doing but soon figured out that he was determined to repair the "damage" he had done to the silly cotton shirt. He would not refuse taking me to choose another top to replace the one he had accidentally pulled. Once I figured I could not convince him to change his mind, I reluctantly went with him inside. We chose a sweater that I still wear today. I will not forget that gesture.

He probably never told you, but after leaving the store, we bumped into a well known receiver for the Denver Broncos. Poor J.B. had no idea who he was, but as a side note, I am a huge fan and will never forget that day. Meeting the bronco was just a bonus I guess.

I'm sure there are so many more meaningful stories than mine exemplifying his generosity and kindness, but I just wanted to let you know that I was glad to have known your son and thank you so much for raising such a wonderful young man.

Look at that smile! :)

We have heard a number of comments over the last month and a half about Jamin's smile. It was without a doubt . . . beautiful. Genetically speaking he was blessed. His teeth were perfectly straight without ever needing braces, they were blindingly white, not too big or too small and, thanks to Jamin's meticulous dental hygiene, without a single cavity (thanks in part to a wonderful family dentist that was kind enough to attend the memorial service in Denver). But, above all else the best part of Jamin's smile was that he knew how to use it. It was hard to catch Jamin without it spread wide across his face. No matter how you were feeling it always had the tendency to brighten a person's day because you knew that behind those brilliant set of teeth was a sincere person who genuinely cared for others.

I don't know if others noticed this but it always cracked me up whenever I had to stand next to Jamin in a picture because someone had once told him that your best smile is when you look like you have just come out of a really good laugh. Well, Jamin latched onto this idea and ran with it so in every photo opportunity that I had with him I would always catch him shaking ever so slightly out of the corner of my eye because he had just figured out a way to make himself chuckle (and of course whenever he laughed his whole body was also involved). The funniest thing though, is that whenever we had family photo shoots Jamin would try his fail proof smiling technique and yet somehow he was always the one person in the picture that had his eyes closed or was unknowingly doing something else that ruined the family portrait. Ha, ha.

One other funny story I will recall in regards to Jamin's smile . . . I mentioned earlier that Jamin had no cavities. Well, that was not entirely true. He apparently did have one cavity but only as of last August. I found out about it when Parker and I went to visit him in Germany. I forget what brought it up in conversation but somehow or another it came out that Jamin had in fact gotten the first cavity of his life. He was of course very upset (it wasn't that he was vain about his perfect set of teeth but he was very proud of them) whereas I on the other hand was smiling on the inside. I had taken care of my teeth just as diligently as he had over all these years and yet had managed to make a few of those extra unwanted trips to the dentist. Finally, my brother was going to feel the wrath of the drill and the humiliation of a numb tounge. However, before I was able to relish in my own delight inwardly for too long, Jamin made a comment that was just so typical of him and had me laughing out loud within an instant. He said "I nearly got a second opinion because I didn't quite believe that it was true. I don't know if I trust those guys." Ha, ha . . . yes Jamin you are human and humans do get cavities every once in awhile - even you!

Harvard Memories - from Andrew Goulet

I was the Senior House Representative of Adams House Class 2004 as well as Adams House Committee Chair from'02-'03; also, I have known JB since we shared expos class in the spring of Freshman year. JB was so kind and genuine; it is very hard to lose him, when, in fact, the world needs so many more like him.

JB played an integral role in our tightknit Adams House community and many at Harvard loved, admired, and appreciated him--which he would not have been the type to boast, but which I'm sure you could only have guessed.

I feel very lucky for the good times that I was able to share with JB at Harvard and in Adams and my heart goes out to you, his family, to whom I'm sure he was as wonderful a son and brother as he was a friend to us.

My sympathy,

Andrew Goulet '04

In Christ Alone

Several have asked for the words to a song that we sang at the Denver memorial service. The song says it all...In Christ alone my hope is found! The words and music are by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend. If you google it, you will find several recordings of the song, so that you can add it to your collection!

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found.
He is my light, my strength, my song.
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease.
My comforter, my all in all,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone who took on flesh,
fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
scorned by the ones He came to save.
'Til on the cross as Jesus died,
the wrath of God was satisfied.
For every sin on Him was laid;
here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
then, bursting forth in glorious day,
up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
for I am His and He is mine,
bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
this is the power of Christ in me;
from life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man
can ever pluck me from His hand;
'til He returns or calls me home,
here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand!

The story behind the song

Jamin

This is my dedication to my friend Jamin. I got to know Jamin in 2004 by being his sponsor to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

I met Jamin at the airport in Frankfurt and quickly gave him the low down about active duty Air Force life and what there was to do in the area of Germany. We went on some awesome trips to Luxembourg and Pairs, but soon got caught up in work and other friends.

I guess what I'd like to write about most is his character and what I remember of him.

I unfortunately got the tragic news days after moving to my new assignment in New Mexico. He was at my going away party and seemed more excited about my assignment to the Air Force Research Labs. "Cool man, so you'll be on the cutting edge of technology!"

From the start of meeting Jamin I knew he was destine for great things. He swept through the jobs thrown at him: good and bad! He had integrity and a humble willingness to take on anything. He always did his best at anything I saw him do...and that was a scary thing for us other Lieutenant's. Jamin had crazy skills, endless talent, and what a character!


God only knows why somethings happen. But the way I see it--he left a living testament to greatness. All those good things that he embodied. He now rests with greatness and those who did great things for our country.

He was a good man, searching for his niche in life, and this world is a better place for him.

I miss you brother, see you in heaven.

God bless,
Rueben Amador


(if you'd like copy of Jamin's photos, email me at Rueben_a@yahoo.com)