EAGAN, Minn. – Vurgess Jones is a mom and a soldier.

She's deeply proud of both, she will tell you, having raised four children and served 27 years in the United States Army.

But one, she retired from – as a sergeant major in 2016 – while the other remains her forever purpose.

"I've always wanted to put my family first," said Jones, whose late husband Alvin also served nearly three decades before retiring as a sergeant major. "I knew when my military journey was over, my family would be there, so I made sacrifices so that I could be a mother first."

Jones and her son, Vikings running back Aaron Jones, Sr., spent time Tuesday afternoon with members of Blue Star Families, a military nonprofit founded in 2009 to strengthen and empower military and veteran families to thrive as they serve, at a "Fireside Chat" sponsored by Sleep Number.

Blue Star Families heavily aligns with the Jones' own nonprofit, the A&A All the Way Foundation, created by Aaron and his twin brother Alvin, Jr., to support military families and youth.

The special guests were first welcomed by Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell and his wife Leah, who each expressed their sincere gratitude for sacrifices made every day by military families.

"November is my favorite month of the whole year, getting to support military members and their families," Coach O'Connell said. "And understanding, like Leah said so well, how unbelievably impactful it's been on our lives, knowing how sacred and important the protection of our freedoms are – and [how thankful we are] to those who are willing to sacrifice so much to do that."

Ms. Jones and Aaron then took part in a discussion moderated by Vikings Entertainment Network's Tatum Everett.

Early in her opportunity to share, Ms. Jones extended gratitude that echoed that of the O'Connells.

"Let me say, thank y'all. Thank God for your service," she told the guests. "Your husband, your wife, they cannot do it alone. You are the ones who have their back, and without you, it wouldn't be possible. So, please pat yourselves on the back.

"I know it can be hard at times. I know [some of your spouses are] deployed, and just as hard as it is for you, it is hard for that service member being over there without their family. To feel like they let their family down," she continued. "We understand that you've got our back. You are the one to make this ball roll. You're the one to take care of the family. It is a huge sacrifice. So, I just want to say thank you."

Ms. Jones explained their family's background of moving time and time again for military service, within the U.S. as well as internationally to countries that included Germany, Korea, Bosnia and Iraq.

Though there certainly are challenges that accompany a transient experience, Ms. Jones and Aaron both emphasized that it wasn't about where they were but about who they were with.

"The most important thing about it was, we had our family," Ms. Jones said. "It was never the location we were at. It was our family. Your family is what makes your duty worthwhile."

Aaron, who is the Vikings 2024 Salute to Service nominee, shared how involved his mom has been throughout his life. With the exception of deployments and a two-year period when she was stationed in South Carolina, Ms. Jones never missed a football game.

"They just always put us first," Aaron said of his parents. "So now when I step on the field, it's my way of honoring them, thanking them. … They believed in me.

"She'd be up at school almost every day in her uniform," he added, laughing. "I'd go to a class and somebody would say, 'Hey, your mom's here.' And I'm like, 'Yeah, I figured she'd be here.' I've just always been blessed to have her right there by my side, and I'm still blessed that she's never missed an NFL game."

The Jones family's story deeply touched Blue Star Families guest Amy Gelhar, whose husband serves as a chaplain in the Army National Guard and is currently deployed to the Southwest border.

Gelhar noted that prior to the special event, she hadn't realized Aaron's parents served in the military.

"Hearing his mom's story was moving because her commitment to her family and to the country was so evident," Gelhar said. "She served her country, but I could tell that she did it for her family and made her family her priority every chance she could. I could also tell that her appreciation of the families present was incredibly genuine because of her personal experience."

Ms. Jones was asked by Everett how she managed to keep her family so closely bonded and connected throughout difficult deployments – even during times she and her husband were deployed at the same time. Without hesitation, she pointed to her unwavering commitment to Alvin, Sr., and her children, as well as her Christian faith.

"The secret was the grace of God. That's the secret," she said, smiling.

"I understand y'all. I get it," Ms. Jones told the crowd. "I'm a mother, but I'm a soldier. And being deployed without your kids … you just want to get back home to them.

"I want to tell you a story, because I know some of your spouses are deployed. I wrote Alvin a letter, and I said, 'Bury me in my dress blues' – because I knew the possibility that I wouldn't make it home," Ms. Jones continued, her voice breaking and eyes welling. "I wanted to make sure they knew I was proud of what I was doing, and I wanted to make them proud.

"So any chance I got to make a phone call, whether it was staying up late, whatever, I made sure I [did that]," she added. "They made me care packages, and I had a string of cards hung up. The most important thing to me was, and always is, still is, my family. So when my military career was over, no regrets, because my family was there. And they're still here."

Watching Aaron and Ms. Jones speak and then take time to meet and connect with the event's attendees, their genuine heart for military families was clear.

Life can be challenging for servicemembers and their loved ones, but the Jones family will continue to do everything they can to remind others they are not alone. And as Gelhar thanked the mother-son duo for sharing, she smiled in knowing her unique community has grown even larger.

"Each military family's experience is unique, but each story holds its own strength and courage," Gelhar said. "It is always encouraging to hear about others' journeys and the challenges and hope that accompany each one.

"I would be lost without the community of my friends and family and the lessons they've shared with me. I've been able to learn from other military wives' experience, and it's been so helpful to my kids and me as my husband is deployed," she continued. "This kind of community and understanding of each other's' situations is so valuable."