Email   Print   Share By Daniel Cernero, Sentinel Sports Editor

Facebook Digg Delicious May 31, 2012 | Sports

Jonathan Hildner, a senior defensive back for Killeen High School and also the son of the late-Brig. Gen. Terence Hildner, receives an orange jersey for being named to the All-DoD team Friday. Hildner was joined by his mother, Cindy Hildner; Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Parham, 13th ESC command sergeant major, who was home from Afghanistan on leave; Lt. Gen. Don Campbell Jr., III Corps and Fort Hood commanding general; Killeen football coach Sam Jones; and Killeen principal Michael Sibberson, among other Family and friends. Daniel Cernero, Sentinel Sports Editor

Feb. 2, 2012

Jonathan Hildner, the son of the former 13th Sustainment Command (Expedition) Commander Brig. Gen. Terence Hildner, said that was the last day he was happy.

“I was still on cloud nine from signing,” said Jonathan, a graduating linebacker with a

scholarship to Kentucky Christian University.

The following day, Jonathan’s father passed away while deployed in Afghanistan.

“From there, it went down, things got worse, and I felt like it was never going to get better,” Jonathan added. “I was going to quit (football), quit school, I was done.”

Friday, Hildner said he found himself in the middle of his first happy day since.

Standing with Family, friends, coaches, teammates and others who make up his support network, Hildner was named to the All-DoD team, a newly formed team by Military.com and All-American Games consisting of 24 military dependents from across the globe.

Accompanying Hildner in the Killeen High School gymnasium was a prominent photo of his father.

“I keep looking at it and feeling like he’s here,” he said. “Most of the people here I would have never met without him.

“He had such a big impact on my life in football, in school and in just my regular life, he taught me so much. I knew nothing other than to give him the credit.”

Hildner added, “Just the name ‘All-DoD team,’ the

only thing I think about is my dad.”

As Hildner transitions from high school to the college ranks, he said there’s an inseparable connection of football to his father.

”I have his signature tattooed on my arm, and I wear his dogtags everyday,” he said. “That’s kind of his little piece on me.

That’s what pushes me and drives me.

He added, “When I go work out, I think of him. When I run, I think of him all of the time, because there were times where we’d run and we’d chase each other to try and see who would win. I just think

of him in my head; he’s chasing me.”

Hildner said the move to Kentucky Christian will be tough mostly because of the things he’ll be leaving behind.

“Leaving my Family, it’s a little nerve-racking for me,” he said. “And leaving this area, there’s a piece of my dad here everywhere I look.”

Easing in the transition process will be the supportive coaching staff awaiting him in Kentucky, he said.

“They’re celebrating my dad. Every time I talk to them they say something about him,” Hildner said. “And when my dad died, they would call me every day to make sure I was doing all right. They’ve been there for me since the beginning.”