Army Spc. Menke was assigned to the 38th Military Police Company, 38th Infantry Division, Indiana Army National Guard, Danville, Indiana. He died of wounds sustained when debris from an improvised explosive device that was detonated on an overpass fell onto his vehicle. Jon was an honor roll student at Madison Consolidated High School and played on the school's football and track teams, won the sculpture award from the art department but during his senior year he turned to theater after undergoing hand surgery. In March 2004, Jon decided to join the Indiana National Guard and after graduating from high school in 2005, he moved to Indianapolis and attended IUPUI and Ivy Tech. Jon was activated in February 2008 at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and was first sent to Kuwait. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge. His loves include music, playing the guitar and banjo, art, theater, working out and bicycling. Today, everyone who watched him perform in "Beauty and the Beast" his senior year remember his booming voice that wowed audiences. Jon was a great kid who transformed into a remarkable adult.
Army Spc. Menke was assigned to the 38th Military Police Company, 38th Infantry Division, Indiana Army National Guard, Danville, Indiana. He died of wounds sustained when debris from an improvised explosive device that was detonated on an overpass fell onto his vehicle. Jon was an honor roll student at Madison Consolidated High School and played on the school's football and track teams, won the sculpture award from the art department but during his senior year he turned to theater after undergoing hand surgery. In March 2004, Jon decided to join the Indiana National Guard and after graduating from high school in 2005, he moved to Indianapolis and attended IUPUI and Ivy Tech. Jon was activated in February 2008 at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and was first sent to Kuwait. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge. His loves include music, playing the guitar and banjo, art, theater, working out and bicycling. Today, everyone who watched him perform in "Beauty and the Beast" his senior year remember his booming voice that wowed audiences. Jon was a great kid who transformed into a remarkable adult.
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