Caddo Magnet High School

Posted: Aug 9, 2011 7:18 PM

Jonas Kelsall and Rob Reeves, CMHS graduates, were among the 38 members of the United States military who were killed in a strike on their Chinook helicopter while flying a mission over Afghanistan on Friday, August 5th, 2011.

CMHS English teacher, Jill Mobley Carnie, was one of the few teachers remaining at Magnet who taught both US Navy SEALS.  She has shared some of her memories of each young man from long ago.  In her words:

"Jonas:
1st day of 9th grade: Writing prompt was: Describe yourself in such a way that I would recognize you without having to ask.  Jonas replied, 'I can best be described as looking like McAulley Caulken from Home Alone. I think you will know who I am...' Jonas grew to be a fine young man who left such big shoes to fill...

Jonas was sitting near the stool that I usually sat on. He snatched up the stool and said, "Miss Mobley, what do you think would happen if I put this stool over me?" Before I could reply, Jonas had put the stool over his ENTIRE body, and it got stuck! Another student jumped up to help him, and she pulled the stool off of Jonas. In doing so, the stool pinched Jonas' face. We had to fill out an accident report form. Now, how do you explain that a stool is stuck over the entire body of one of your students?

Rob:

So many memories of Rob. However, there is only one that I feel the need to share. Rob was a character. He was full of life, full of energy, and full of mischief! He was a politician -- for sure!!! He was also an angel. Just like the two sides of a coin. For one assignment, I had my 9th graders tell me about their favorite book/author. In order to demonstrate what I wanted them to tell me, I told them about one of my favorite authors. My example happened to be Madeline L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. At the end of the school year, Rob gave me me an autographed copy of "A Wrinkle in Time." He purchased a hard-back copy of the book, and he wrote to Madeline L'Engle asking her to autograph the book because it was my favorite. She graciously did so, and it remains one of my treasured keepsakes. It always will be. That was an example of the kind of person Rob Reeves was. He will forever be etched into my memory and my heart. His family is dear to me, and I know that he and his mother, Sheri, are in Heaven sharing a funny story and a good laugh at something we will all enjoy hearing one day!

May God bless and keep them both in His arms. I look forward to meeting them in Heaven one day. Until then, I am honored to have taught them both. I feel as though my memories of them both are now privileged memories -- as Rob and Jonas are heroes. Heroes that helped defend my freedoms and heroes that have kept my family and me safe. I will forever be grateful for their sacrifices, and I will do my best to honor their memories in a way that is deserving."