As the Kings Crossing saga was unfolding two years ago it began to envelop the residents of Penn Daw Mobile Home Park on Shields Avenue in Mount Vernon District. Caught within the conflicting interests of the developer to enlarge the project, the concerns of nearby community residents and the Mount Vernon Council of Citizens' Associations, and potential sale of the land by the park owner, mobile home park residents seemed to be without a voice.
But, within their midst was one mobile home owner who was no stranger to adversity and challenge and who also possessed the organizational skills and drive to bring them together to speak with a concerted voice for their rights and interests. That was Jerry Ireland, a 31-year-old native of Lincoln, Maine, who settled in this area following his last duty station at The Pentagon following a decade of service with the U.S. Army.
He, along with several other residents of the mobile home community, formed The United Voice of Kings Crossing Community Association. They elected Ireland their president and, through his tenacity and determination, he gained them a seat at the negotiation table and directed their voice.
Although he was not at The Pentagon on 9-11 — he arrived four months after that fateful day — he had lived through his own 9-11 crisis. On that day in Milwaukee, Ireland was taking his first son, Tyler, then 22-months-old, to Milwaukee Children's Hospital for his third heart surgery.
Six hours after his birth on Dec. 19, 1999, Ireland and his first wife were told the baby had hyperplastic left heart syndrome. In layman's terms, the left side of his heart was missing.
Five days later, Christmas Eve, Tyler underwent the first of three open heart surgeries. That was followed by the additional bad news that he also suffered from cystic fibrosis. "There was absolutely no history of that in either my wife's or my family," Ireland said.
Following the third heart surgery, Tyler had a massive stroke and the medical team gave him no more than six months to live, according to Ireland. He was also removed from the heart/lung donor list because of his negative prognosis.
But, Tyler beat the odds and has been going through therapy ever since. "You can hardly tell he ever had a stroke he has progressed so well," Ireland said.
Today, 7-year-old Tyler spends the school year in Milwaukee with his mother and where his doctors are located. His summers and other vacations times he joins Ireland and his second wife Kimberly. They have been married nearly four years and have a 7-month-old son, Aidan.
Following his three and a half years at The Pentagon Army Operations Center as an Intelligence Analyst, Ireland joined the mortgage brokerage organization Freddie Mac in Tyson's Corner where he works in corporate records management. "This gives me the opportunity to work with many different people throughout the company," he said.
Kimberly, who studied law at Suffolk Law in Boston, Mass., is a native of West Hartford, Conn. She is presently a fulltime stay-at-home mother.
"The experience I went through with my first son taught me that there are a lot of things more important than material gain. There are a lot of people struggling everyday. That's why it's necessary to be active in your community," he said.
"I think there is a trend for more young people to become involved in community activism," he said. Now enrolled at Strayer College, Ireland is about 18 months away from getting his bachelor's degree in Business Management. "My goal for the future is to settle into the private business sector and raise a family," Ireland said.
Here he is in his own words:
<b>How would you describe yourself? </b>
"Young, energetic, involved, and hard working in community activities, my family and my profession,"
<b>What are your key ties to the community other than your involvement with the United Voice community association? </b>
"I'm involved with the Mount Vernon Council and I like to volunteer as a starter at golf courses. It's a good way to meet a lot of people."
<b>What's the one thing about your community that you enjoy that you don't think most people are aware of as newcomers? </b>
"Probably the level of people's involvement in all community issues."
<b>What are some of your favorite places in your community and the area? </b>
"Panera Bread, Bugsy's Pizza Restaurant in Old Town, Daks on Route 1, and Vic's Comedy Club."
<b>What's the one thing you would change about your community? </b>
"I'd like to see some really good redevelopment along the Route 1 corridor that would benefit everyone."
<b>What book would you recommend? </b>
"It's Your Ship." It was written by a Navy Captain.
<b>What movie have you seen that you really enjoyed? </b>
"Mel Gibson's ‘Passion of the Christ.’"
<b>Do you have any favorite television shows? </b>
"About all I have time for is college football and basketball."
<b>What hobbies do you enjoy? </b>
"Golf"
<b>What's your favorite vacation spot? </b>
"Myrtle Beach, S.C."
<b>How would you most like to spend one day? </b>
"With my entire family playing golf. I have four brothers who also play."
<b>If you could be anyone else who would that be?</b>
"Ronald Reagan. He had both the acting and politics."
<b>If you could meet anyone in history who would that be?</b>
"Abraham Lincoln."