today i wish to highlight the life of lieutenant jacob fritz. jake, as he was known to his friends and loved ones, grew up on his family's farm near vernon, nebraska. while attending dawson vernon high school, jake thrived and stood out as a model student sms he was an all-around athlete and played the baritone in the honor banged. he was also passionate about helping others in need and he regularly devoted his time to organizations that combat substance abuse inne in verdin d around the state. his former principal described him as a great kid, student, and athlete. the principal recalls, if i had a school full of jacob fritzes, i wouldn't have had anything to do. when jake entered his senior year in high school, his focus remained on his commitment to helping others, and he began pursuing a career in the u.s. military. his mother, nola, recalls his dream of serving his country, which inspired -- was inspired by his grandfather, a retired air force officer. karen metzger, a family friend, recalls that jake wanted to have a career in the army and