Military To Name Facility After Fallen NorCal Soldier

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CBS13) – A Northern California soldier who was killed in Iraq is going to be honored by the military in a very large way.

In 2004, Jesse Mizener died while protecting a fellow soldier from a mortar attack. Mizener lived with his wife and children in Auburn before his death. He grew up in Stockton.

Next week, the army will dedicate the Mizener Wheel & Track Facility at Georgia's Fort Benning in Mizener's honor.

Mizener's mother, Rebecca runs an organization called 'Packed with Pride' which sends care packages to U.S. troops overseas.

She posted the letter the military sent notifying her and her husband of the building dedicated to her son. The first paragraph reads:

"Occasionally a Soldier's considerable and unselfish contributions to the United State Army and his country are of the degree that warrants special recognition. Private First Class Jesse Douglas Mizener was a Soldier of that magnitude."

Mizener's wife, Nicole, says he was a good person who always thought of others.

"I feel blessed. I feel honored," said Nicole Mizener. "What he did was incredible. I just very thankful that the military is recognizing him and memorializing him in this way. It leaves a great legacy for my children.

Thanks to the fundraising efforts of a local chiropractor, Nicole and their three children will be there when the facility is named.