JACKSON'S STORY

Jackson was born in Anderson, South Carolina on April 9, 2003. 

His birth name was different, as was his first adoptive name, 

than his current name, Jackson James Forringer. After years of trials and tribulations, through determination and perseverance, 

he earned the title Lance Cpl. Forringer.

Little is known of his infant and toddler years other than his biological parents made poor decisions, were addicted to drugs, and chose not to care for him. Since age 4, he was being raised by a grandmother, as his mother had passed away and his 

father was in prison. Around age 9, his grandmother suddenly passed away and Jackson was placed into the foster care 

system where he spent the majority of his school-age years. 

Prior to his grandmother’s death, while he was in the 3rd grade, 

the Marines came to visit his school. They spoke of a summer camp program for kids to go to Parris Island, South Carolina

and experience a glimpse into the life of a Marine. Jackson was immediately intrigued by the Marines, he was able to participate in the summer camp, and it became a dream of his to become

a Marine. This is where Jackson’s story of determination and perseverance begins.

The foster care system is often a place where, as children get older, there are less opportunities for them to be placed with a family long term. Jackson found himself moved from home to home until he was, in fact, adopted by one of his foster

 families at the age of 11. Unfortunately, this foster turned adoptive family was not what they appeared to be. Jackson found himself in a home with an abusive adoptive father. 

He spent 4 years attending church and various outings with

this family where on the outside appeared like a safe and

loving family. The secrets that took place behind closed doors included verbal and mental abuse, being denied food, locked

in outdoor sheds for days on end, and a series of fabricated mental health labels to create a file of lies.

At the age of 15, Jackson made a decision to run away from

this abusive home. He was later found by the police and 

returned to this home. After more time passed, Jackson ran

away a second time, and a second time the police found him

and returned him to the home. The abuse and neglect got

worse, and Jackson ran away a 3rd time. This time, when the police found him, he refused to get out of the police car. He was 16 years old and was arrested and taken to the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and listed as a runaway. 

Jackson spent several months in DJJ. Throughout that time, he had several court dates offering him the opportunity to return

to the adoptive home. Each time, Jackson chose to stay in juvenile detention center rather than return to that home. Eventually, a space became available at a children’s group home for teens in the foster care system. Since he was a runaway and there was not any family willing to care for him, Jackson was relocated to the children’s home after 3 months in DJJ. 

Jackson was not defeated by this! 

He saw this as his chance to reach his dream, his goal of becoming a Marine. He made a plan to graduate high school while living in the group home, age out of the system, & sign himself up for the Marine Corps as soon as he turned 18. 

Spending time in foster homes, DJJ, and a group home, was

what sharpened Jackson. He was exposed to people who wanted to help others. He had youth pastors, teachers and mentors that prayed for him and encouraged him along the way. Jackson clung to these positive experiences to help him through the times of abuse and neglect he endured. He never wavered on his dream to become a Marine through it all. 

Another major turning point in Jackson’s life was when he met my husband, Todd Forringer. Todd was a mentor to a couple of boys

that were in the group home where Jackson was placed. 

One day, the boys asked Todd if Jackson could come along with

them to play basketball. Todd asked, “Who is Jackson?” and one of the boys replied “He is this really cool kid who just got here.” Todd agreed to take him along and from that day forward, Jackson became an important part of Todd’s life and Todd became an important part of his.  

Todd began mentoring Jackson and getting to know him better. Finally, he introduced Jackson to me and not long after, the rest of our Forringer family. I have always said, “To know Jackson was to love him. He never met a stranger. If you met him one time, he would consider you a friend.”  It didn’t take long for the Forringer family to love Jackson unconditionally, and we made him a part of our family as our foster son. Knowing that Jackson was just waiting to “age out” of the foster system, Todd and I took him into our family with the intent to adopt him before that would happen. After some hurdles with the abusive adoptive father,  we were able to secure a relinquishment of rights from the first adoptive family and move forward to adopt Jackson before his 18th birthday. 

On March 5, 2021, Jackson officially became

 Jackson James Forringer.

Jackson had the family he always dreamed of. Parents who loved him unconditionally, two older brothers, two sisters-in-law, grandparents, cousins and he instantly made new friends at his new school with only a year and a half left before his high school graduation. With all this newfound given opportunity, Jackson remained firm on his love and desire to give back to his country and become a Marine. He is remembered for saying, “Even though I had a terrible childhood, I was blessed with a true family who loves me, and I want to help other kids who are in the same situation I was in.” 

Jackson’s dream to become a Marine didn’t fade over time, it only intensified as he got older. He lived through some very difficult times, he had grit, determination and perseverance. Above all, he had deep loyalty to his family and friends who stood beside him

and fought for him. He had all the qualities that you would find

in a great Marine.  For two years, he was a great Marine! 

Jackson graduated from the Marine Corps Boot Camp on October 15, 2021 at Parris Island, South Carolina. The very same place he visited as a third grader!

 Jackson could have given up. He could have been bitter for the difficult life he was dealt, he could have turned to crime, drugs, and a series of bad decisions when he ran away, but he didn’t! 

Jackson had grit, determination and perseverance and 

he  clung to his faith and his dream.

Jackson lived a whole lifetime in the four years after his adoption into the Forringer Family. God blessed him with a gift to light up a room with his smile, encouragement and support for others, and still find the good in people.

On April 20, 2023, Lance Cpl. Jackson James Forringer lost his

life in a training accident while in deployment training at 

Twenty-Nine Palms, California. He was participating in his

pre-deployment training when a weapon inadvertently

discharged in the back of a military vehicle.  

It was just 11 days after his 20th birthday.  Despite the tough times Jackson endured, Jackson followed his dream of serving

our country! He was proud to be a United States Marine. 

If Jackson were speaking to a group of teenagers today, he would tell them to never give up on their dreams.

The trials in your life may be preparing you for greater things. 

Look for the positive in others. 

Be a positive person. 

Live each day as if it is a gift.

Jackson’s gift of love and his desire to help others

will live on through us all.