Army Veteran Recalls Chance Meeting with Rev. Jesse Jackson

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Retired Army Sergeant First Class Willis Wilson and his wife Yolanda recounted their chance encounter with the late Reverend Jesse Jackson in a South Carolina hotel lobby in 2020. The couple, who have done ministry work on Fort Benning for nearly three decades, spent over three hours speaking with the civil rights leader, who encouraged them to continue serving their community.

Why it matters

The unexpected meeting between the Army veteran and the renowned civil rights activist highlights the connections between military service, faith-based community work, and the ongoing fight for equality and justice that defined Rev. Jackson's life and legacy.

The details

While on a trip in 2020, SFC (Ret.) Willis Wilson and his wife Yolanda were having breakfast in a South Carolina hotel lobby when they were surprised to encounter Reverend Jesse Jackson. The couple spent several hours speaking with the civil rights leader, who commended Wilson for his long military career and discussed the Wilsons' nearly 30 years of ministry work on Fort Benning. The Wilsons were deeply impacted by the conversation, which touched on themes of unity, justice, and equality that were central to Rev. Jackson's life and work.

• In February 2020, the Wilsons had a chance encounter with Rev. Jesse Jackson in a South Carolina hotel lobby.
• Rev. Jesse Jackson passed away in February 2023, prompting the Wilsons to reflect on their memorable conversation with the civil rights icon.

What they’re saying