Amores Honored as Hero: Kiwanis President Richard St. Dennis awards a plaque to Korbin Amores as his mother, Jennifer and his sister, Violet Amores look on. Korbin and Violet are children of slain Marine Sgt. Jason Amores, of Lehigh Acres, who was killed in January in Afghanistan. Jennifer is Amores’ widow. The award was presented to Korbin in honor of his father. Kiwanis Club photo

The Kiwanis Club of Lehigh Acres honored “a true Home Town Hero,” on July 13 citing the death of Sgt. Jason Amores by presenting is wife Jennifer and her children a Kiwanis 2011 Home Town Hero Award.

“Amores died protecting the freedoms he so dearly loved far away from home and his beloved family in a place called Sangin, Helmand Province, Afghanistan on Jan. 20, 2011. He was 29, the father of two children – Korbin, 9 and Violet, 4. Both Jason and his wife Jennifer grew up in Lehigh Acres, Fla.,” said Richard St. Dennis, president of the Kiwanis Club morning meeting, who presided.

Amores was awarded The Bronze Star with Valor for heroic service in Afghanistan from October 15, 2010 to January 20, 2011.

On December 2 and 16, he came face to face with the enemy, and bravely led his Marines, resulting in a tactical victory, St Dennis said.

Also for his actions on January 20, 2011, when his squad came under small arms fire, he bravely exposed himself to enemy fire directing his Marines as stated in a citation from Lt. Gen. T.D Waldhauser.

Sgt. Jason Amores

He said in the citation that as Amores gave his life for his country, ” he continued to demonstrate the superb leadership that made him stand out among his fellow Marines as an exceptional combat leader.”

The citation continues: “By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Sgt. Amores reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.”

The Lehigh Acres Kiwanis Club had held an earlier Heroes Night a few weeks ago and Amores’ family was unable to attend to receive the award.

The guest speaker for this latest event was Tom Scott, a member of the Lee County Board of Education. He spoke about budget cuts in the school system and also addressed transportation issues, said Damon Shelor, a past president of the Kiwanis Club.