Strength Forged in Tragedy 

Left: Aaron Hudgins with photo of Jari, Right: Puerto Rico Survivor Expedition

Six years after suffering the worst tragedy of his life, Aaron Hudgins has come to understand and appreciate the event he wished had never happened. “Without it, I wouldn’t be the man I am today,” he says. “I’m just grateful with where I am.” 

Aaron enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard in 1997. In 1999 he deployed to Moore for the F5 tornado disaster response, then in 2000 to Bosnia for peacekeeping operations, and in 2007 to Iraq on a combat deployment. After 13 years in the infantry, he transferred to Oklahoma National Guard Headquarters where he met Jari, who he calls JJ, and later married. 

Hearing the Call of Duty 

Jari was a Staff Sergeant in the Guard with two deployments, to Iraq and Afghanistan. When they married, she was ready to stay stateside for the rest of her career. But, as her unit prepared to deploy again, she felt called to go and trained to become the first woman in Oklahoma to earn the infantry badge. In 2017 however, she broke her hip and femur in a training accident. Her recovery was excruciating. 

“JJ had to learn to walk all over again,” says Aaron. “While she rehabilitated in El Paso, I was busy taking care of the five children in our blended family.” 

When Jari returned home, she lived with chronic pain, walking with a severe limp. It was emotionally draining for a soldier who had only months before undergone grueling infantry training. Then she was told that due to her injuries, she would be medically retired from the Army. She became depressed and in April 2018, Jari died from suicide. 

Aaron’s world collapsed. “The emotional roller coaster that comes with a tragedy like this is unbearable.” For the next few years, he focused on taking care of his children, went back to school for a degree at OU, and retired from the Army. But he knew he needed more help. Then he responded to an email out of the blue from the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) to participate in a survivor expedition. “The whole survivor world was new to me, but I decided to try it.” 

“If Not Me, Then Who?” 

First Lieutenant Travis Manion was a Recon Marine killed by an Afghan sniper in 2007. In 2008, his family formed the TMF, their ethos driven by Travis’ response when asked why he was deploying again; “If not me, then who?” 

The survivor’s expedition changed Aaron. “It was so therapeutic… their focus was on teaching us how to thrive, find meaning, make an impact, and focus on relationships while helping others.” Later, Aaron’s eldest son, Josh, went on a survivor expedition to Puerto Rico. When he returned, he told his father, “We need to form a Travis Manion chapter in Edmond. We need to build a legacy for JJ!” 

One of their first projects was to conduct a remembrance for Specialist James Wickliff-Chacin, a 2010 graduate of Edmond Santa Fe, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2013. “We had the whole Santa Fe soccer team participate in the service where we talked about the importance of character,” states Aaron. James’ mother attended and was moved to tears. She immediately volunteered to help Aaron and Josh set up the TMF chapter. Aaron adds “Today, we have eight volunteers I can call on anytime. Our goal is to focus on youth mentoring and monthly community service projects.” 

Aaron and Josh are driven by their desire to honor Jari’s legacy. “JJ was a proud member of the Caddo nation, with a warrior spirit and a desire to serve,” Aaron says. “That’s how I want the world to remember her and why I’m doing my part to serve Edmond.” 

To learn more go to travismanion.org

Browse By Story Category

Advertise Your Business

Outlook readers are a dynamic, diverse audience of active consumers.

Advertise  >

The Edmond Outlook is the largest local, monthly magazine covering 50,000 homes with free, direct-mail delivery.

About Us  >

Browse Recent Issues

The Edmond Outlook is a monthly full-color, glossy magazine devoted to the Edmond area. Each exciting edition captures the vibrant personalities and interesting stories that define and connect us all.

View All  >