Veterans Day: Community Comes Together to Support Navy Veteran Jason Eagle’s Family

Jason Eagle’s Journey and Community Support

Jason Eagle served in the U.S. Navy for 14 years. A decade ago, he began to feel numbness in his leg and hands. He developed tremors, which led him to seek medical help. In 2015, doctors diagnosed him with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), a rare autoimmune disease affecting the nervous system. The condition forced him to end his military career.

In honor of Veterans Day, the 4 News Now Extreme Team, Veterans Community Response, and Horizon Credit Union helped Eagle and his family. They replaced the worn sidewalk outside their home in north Spokane. They also built a shed, split firewood, and did yard work despite the rain and cold.

Eagle, 54, expressed gratitude for these efforts. His condition limits his mobility, and he often needs a wheelchair or cane. The old sidewalk made it difficult for him to access his wheelchair van safely. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs had repaired the van, but the damaged sidewalk forced him to exit into the street.

Eagle’s wife, Candace, shared that the new sidewalk will protect her husband’s electric wheelchair and reduce the risk of falls. It will also make snow removal easier. The old sidewalk’s loose rock complicated clearing snow and created safety hazards.

Crews excavated and poured concrete for the new sidewalk and shed foundation. They completed various tasks to improve the Eagle family’s home environment. Jason Eagle noted that “the little things” would significantly impact their lives.

Mark Peterson, who started the Extreme Team 16 years ago, said their mission is to handle major projects to allow families to focus on smaller tasks. The team often collaborates with Veterans Community Response. Travis Alexander, a team leader, mentioned that every effort helps create a positive difference for the families they serve.

Jason Eagle has fond memories of his Navy career. He enjoyed traveling and working as a fire controlman, where he fired large weapons and supported counternarcotics efforts. He was deployed five times, including a land deployment in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. His oldest son is now in the Navy, while his two younger sons attend school in Spokane.

Eagle is currently pursuing an associate degree in firearm technology, aiming to become a gunsmith. He already holds degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering. The Navy believes his CIDP developed due to exposure to jet fuel at an airfield.

Jason’s condition is not curable, and he receives bi-weekly infusions for treatment. He practices activities like weaving to maintain hand coordination. Despite his challenges, he values his retirement, spending quality time with his family, which he missed during deployments. He acknowledges the difficulties in his life but remains thankful for the positive aspects.

Eagle stated, “I’ve had a tough life, but I’ve had a lot of good things that balance it out.”