The Plank Family

Growing up in a family with a long history of military service, U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Jason Plank served his country for four years. Influenced by his family and the events of Sept. 11, 2001, Plank enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during his senior year of high school.

During his service, Plank was deployed to Iraq, Fallujah and the Al Anbar Province. Each deployment opened Plank’s eyes to the harsh realities of war, and he is still haunted by the death and destruction he experienced. Even so, Plank bonded deeply with his fellow Marines.

In 2004, during Plank’s deployment to Fallujah, a mortar struck near Plank while he was on patrol, knocking Plank unconscious. A few weeks later, Plank and his unit took part in the Battle of Fallujah, fighting enemy insurgents in door-to-door combat. During that battle, Plank witnessed the deaths of many friends and fellow Marines. Plank lost more friends during his third deployment to the Al Anbar Province, where his unit often
came under mortar attacks and gunfire as they patrolled the cities of Al-Diwaniyah and Ferris.

As a result of his time in combat, Plank suffers from severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), migraine headaches due to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and tinnitus. He was honorably discharged in 2006.

Plank was awarded a Combat Action Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two stars and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, among others.

Jason reconnected with Chelse, who he had first met in high school, after his second deployment. The couple married soon after he returned from his third deployment, and today they are the parents of two children. They currently live in Nampa, Idaho, but work in Meridian, where Jason is employed by a building supply company, and Chelse serves as a paraprofessional at a local elementary school. They are active in their church and enjoy hiking, camping, swimming, and completing home improvement projects as a family.

Operation Finally Home is proud to partner with Lennar in providing U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Jason Plank and his family with a mortgage-free home in Meridian, Idaho.