Georgia Army National Guard SPC Jason A. Warren, an aircraft powertrain repairer with Company D, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment, his wife Cortney and their baby son Lucas received national media attention after Lucas was named the 2018 Gerber Spokesbaby on Feb. 7.
The Warrens were amazed when they received the news that Lucas had won the contest. “Absolute shock,” SPC Warren said. “It was hard to believe he won out of 140,000 entries.”
Lucas, diagnosed with Down syndrome, is the eighth Gerber Spokesbaby since the contest began in 2010. Inspired by the original Gerber baby sketch of Ann Turner Cook more than 90 years ago, families have long been sharing their baby photos with Gerber. In response, Gerber launched its first official photo search competition in 2010.
“We hope this opportunity sheds light on the special needs community and educates people that with acceptance and support, individuals with special needs have potential to change the world,” Cortney said. “Just like our Lucas.”
The Warrens hope other families with special needs children can look to Lucas as a source of inspiration.
“We hope this will help people kick-start their own lives and give them more confidence,” SPC Warren said. “They might think if Lucas can do this, what can I do in my life?”
The winning photo shows Lucas sitting in an overstuffed chair, wearing a polka-dot bow tie and grinning from ear to ear.
“He is very outgoing and never meets a stranger,” Cortney said. “He loves to play, loves to laugh and to make other people laugh.”
“He is just the absolute cutest thing ever,” said SSG Misty D. Crapps, supply sergeant with Company D, 171st Aviation Regiment. “He always smiles at everybody he sees.”
SPC Warren said being part of the Georgia Army National Guard gives him a sense of pride and family.
“I absolutely love the Guard – the ability to help my community and serve my country,” he said. “The benefits of service are always great to have, and it allows me to serve my country the way I want to.”
He said the fellowship in his aviation unit reinforces the feeling of family.
“The Guard has been with me with everything I’ve ever done,” SPC Warren said. “Through my grandmother’s passing, when I had shoulder surgery, they’ve helped Cortney and me a lot, and they are a second family to us.”
The aviators and Soldiers in SPC Warren’s unit share his commitment to service in the National Guard and look forward to his continued service.
“He always volunteers to do the little things that are not part of his job description to make the unit better,” said 1SG William W. Adcock of Company D. “SPC Warren is a fantastic Guard [Soldier]. He does what we all do – dedicates his time and personal energy to serve the people of this State and the United States.”
SPC Warren, who said he plans to re-enlist this year for another six years in the Georgia Army National Guard, reflected that he hopes Lucas will eventually look at his father and understand the importance of service.
“I hope one day Lucas will see I was in the military and has a sense of pride,” he said
BY SSG R. J. Lannom Jr., GEORGIA NATIONAL GUARD
