Driving to work I pass this huge billboard with four servicemen standing at attention, heads slightly bowed. Only three words are written there: "Duty, Honor, Country". Everyday when I look at that billboard I "see" Jon. And every day I think of him not only for the sacrifice he made, but also for the life he lived, the dedication he displayed and the love he shared with his family & friends. Every day I miss Jon more. Things do not get better. Time does not heal all wounds. I carry Jon in my heart today & always. Mom
-Nadia Cadavero (September 1, 2010)
Four years ago on August 13th Jon left for Iraq. He was on the last plane to leave Ft. Drum. The night before he had to give up his cell phone but somehow on that last day before departing, he managed to "borrow" cell phones and call home about every hour until it was time to board the plane. I remember those conversations as if they had just taken place. What I wouldn't do to hear his voice again.............. "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal." I have so many wonderful & loving memories of my beloved son and they keep me going from day to day. Thank you Jon for being the kind of son every mother dreams about. There are no words to express how much Jon is missed. Love you forever my son. Mom
-Nadia Cadavero (August 16, 2010)
Thanks to you and all your fellow veterans, Jonny - those fallen and those still with us. Because of all of you, we continue to celebrate independence!
-Debra Valle and Family (July 4, 2010)
Flag Day, 2010: Cheers to you and all your fellow veterans, Jonny! Wearing Red, White & Blue extra-specially for you!
-Debra Valle (cousin) and Family (June 14, 2010)
Before I was a mom, I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations. Before I was a mom, I had never been puked on, pooped on, chewed on, peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night. Before I was a mom, I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep. Before I was a mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him or her down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a mom. Before I was a mom, I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body......I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy. Before I was a mom, I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was OK. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much..... before I was a mom.
Today, Jon would have been 28 years old. Instead of celebrating with a cake, his favorite meal and lots of gifts, I brought flowers to his gravesite. My heart breaks with each visit to the cemetery but at the same time I feel truly blessed that he was my son. He was everything a mother could ask for. We celebrated his life but how he was missed today. How he is missed everyday.
Love you Jonny.......always & forever. Mom
-Nadia Cadavero (June 13, 2010)
28 birthday candles in heaven, Jonny! You are and forever will be sadly missed. Remembering you with fondness, extra-specially on this 13th day in June.
-Debra Valle (cousin) and Family (June 13, 2010)
This morning we attended a Memorial Day service at the Veteran's Cemetery where Jon is buried. Standing there I was thinking that Jon should lead or be in a parade somewhere.......instead here he lies in a grave. It is hard to believe that 5 years ago Jon did proudly lead a Memorial Day parade in a New Jersey town. Memorial Day is not just a day off from school or work, going on a picnic, shopping mall or ball game. It is a day set aside to remember & honor all our fallen heroes.
Abraham Lincoln once said: " I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him." Today, I honor Jon. Today, "his place" was especially proud of him. This was evident in the flowers sent by the town chief of police & neighbors, phone calls & emails from family & friends. All who knew Jon loved & respected him for his convictions, courage, patriotism, and sense of duty.
How proud I am as a mother that Jon was my son. Not because he served, but because of the man he was. Thank you Jon for "serving" others your entire life, for doing good whenever possible, for caring enough for this Nation & your willingness to even sacrifice your life.
Jon is thought of, missed & loved every day. But today he is especially honored. Love you always my son. Rest in peace & in God's arms until that day when the words "good & faithful servent" are spoken to you. Mom
-Nadia Cadavero (May 31, 2010)
On this Memorial Day 2010, I want to give a tribute to the memory of a fallen soldier that gave his life for me, my family, and country. I want to remember the gift given by my friend, David Cadavero and his wife, and family. David gave his son. This allows me in some way to have freedom for my wife and daughters. I can not imagine the pain and the sorrow in the lost of this young man. But I can imagine the joy of knowing that your child did what they thought was right. When I think of the thousands of families all over the world that have that unimaginable sorrow of the death of a child because of war, it makes me angry at Satan and the evil of the world. It makes me want to go home to Jesus, where I belong. CU there!
-Jerrell Gilkeson (May 30, 2010)
Remembering and honoring Jon extra-specially this Memorial Day Weekend. More than three years after his passing, his light continues to shine. He was the consummate soldier ~ displaying mental toughness, determination, bravery beyond imagination, compassion and true grit in the face of adversity. He innately knew that laughter is good for the soul. Even as a young child at our family gatherings, he would make us laugh until our sides were splitting. I have read account after account on these pages and others about how he would use humor as the catalyst to cheer everyone up and lighten all those tense moments that every soldier must continually endure. And now, the angels are laughing along with him, no doubt.
We miss him dearly. Our extended family will forever be incomplete without him. But we are ever grateful for his service. For now, we will listen for the distant sound of his laughter in the clouds . . .
-Debra Valle (cousin) and Family (May 28, 2010)
I still can not wrap my mind around the fact that you are gone. But I know that we are all forever changed by your short time on this earth. You told me in July or August of 2005 that you did not think you should be an Officer and that you should leave Officer Candidate School at Benning. You felt that your job was to serve others, and you wanted to be a combat medic. I'm not sure if it helps your Mom, Dad, and Sister to know how much you meant to each of us. And how much you touched our lives at Drum and in Iraq and truly served others. We will never forget you.
-CPT Tricia Clarke (May 19, 2010)
Leave your own memories & condolences of Sgt. Jonathan Cadavero.
