The White House, Commission on Remembrance, designated September 20, 2008 as a day of remembrance/national tribute to honor America's fallen and their families. Every family who lost a loved one in either Iraq or Afghanistan was invited to attend the ceremony. At first I was hesitant to go. Why be reminded yet again that Jon was gone? Kristia, Jon's sister, convinced me that we have to be there to represent Jon. So I agreed to go. But for weeks I as gathering enough courage & strength to face another service/another ceremony. Finally the day arrived & it was a beautiiful, sunny, cool day. Walking from the DC metro and nearing the Washington Monument grounds, I was amazed at the crowd of people. Sitting there before the ceremony began, I looked around & realized I was a mere "droplet" in a sea of people. We all were strangers but together we were bearing the pain of our common bond of loss. What could anyone say today to erase the pain or ease the burden of my loss?
A military band was playing patriotic songs in the background. Two large screens were at each end of the stage & then it happened........they started to list in alphabetical order all the names of the fallen. My eyes started to water but when Jon's name came up, I totally became emotionally unglued. Seeing his hame among the dead just pierced my heart. Again.
One of the speakers said the following, "An awareness that remembering those who have fallen is more than just the right thing to do, it is everyone's responsibility." Regardless of when their loved one passed away, I saw more tears & pain than I ever have before. My family & I did our own share of crying. Once the tears started to flow, there was no way of stopping.
"But we ......shall be remembered; We few...we band of brothers; For he today that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother." William Shakespeare
There is no amount of time that could ever erase Jon's memory. Jon shall always be remembered. His spirit & legacy lives on in my heart. I'm sure the same holds true for the many lives he touched in his short life.
Jon understood what it meant to be an American, so did the other over 4,154 who also gave their lives to preserve our liberties.
May Jon rest in peace with all his "brothers"...........
Think of Jon all the time. Miss & love him to the depths of my soul. Mom
-Nadia Cadavero (October 28, 2008)
My personal condolence is my most loving memory of Sergeant Jonathon David Cadavero. First I would like to tell a small story of Sergeant Jonathon David Cadavero. Before doing so, I fervently prayed to get the right words out, so whoever has read this message will know and understand the meaning. Jonathon Cadavero came from a very humble and deep Christian family. His grandmother, grandfather, aunts, uncles, mother, and father devoted their entire lives to the love of God. With no doubt this love ran through Jon's veins. Jonathon's paternal grandmother and grandfather knew my own parents for over 50 years exchanging the most loving and compassionate letters to one another. I knew Jonathon's father and uncle. The few times we visited together were very warm and touching. Unfortunately I never knew Jonathon, but what he did in his final day makes me very sad, swelling with pride as his upbringing would bring such strength, compassion and guts only as honest as a true Christian could achieve. Jonathon surrendered his seat for a wounded soldier giving comfort and dignity to him in a protected Hum V. Jonathon chose to ride in an unprotected vehicle very much knowing he was at risk. On that faithful day in February, 2007, Jonathon's vehicle was sabataged, which ended his life. Not only did he do it once, but he did it numerous times. That made Jonathon, not only a hero once, but a hero over and over. What kind of guts and strength is this! My conclusion is only a strength rendering from his loving Creator. Jonathon with no doubt stuck out above all the soldiers doing this heroic act. I don't underestimate many good stories told by many soldiers, but this alone is Jonathon's story. Jonathon graduated with high honors in College. He had a big future ahead of him becoming a lawyer. Before going out in the business world, Jonathon wanted to serve his country first. His wonderful plans had to be put on hold to serve. Serve he did. He became a top medic in charge of many wounded soldiers. He would heal them and give them morale and comfort, applying the psychology he studied in college. His love was so great, he stepped down and served the men beneath him with lesser ranks. Jonathon exemplified humility in every sense of its meaning. Jonathon rests now and God has held his loving heart forever. He'll never be forgotten in God's loving arms. Finally my message to everyone who reads this condolence will read as follows: When election day comes soon, whisper the name "Jonathon" under your breath and examine your conscience. Vote heroic and gutsy, just as Jonathon was. In honor of Jonathon, vote morally, vote honorably, vote honestly, vote truthfully, and vote for the constitution. Vote with security and justice. It's you and a closed curtain! Think in front of your Creator, in respect of Him, who is the final judge and respect Him, because someday you will be accountable for these votes of morals. In memory of Jonathon, just think like you never thought before, even if you can't make up your mind. Think of one issue; mankind, like Jonathon did. Think of the unborn child and you'll be on the right path. Remember, this vote is not only for our preservation of our great nation, but for the honor of our Grand Creator. He is your final judge. Maybe after almost two years of sorrow from Jon's family, you could turn all of their sorrows into some happiness instead of this tragedy. His family will someday see the total joy of happiness in Jonathon's life. You'll be a great citizen if you vote in honor of all these soldiers, this nation, Jonathon, and the especially the Grand Creator, who will hold your heart in his hands forever. God bless America, God bless Sergeant Jonathon David Cadavero, my soldier of love.
Rosette A. Sokol
-Rosette A. Sokol (October 24, 2008)
Not too many TV commercials have any effect on me; however, the one described below just tore my heart out.
The camera spins around what appears to be a waiting room near a gate at an airport. People are talking on cell phones, just sitting there gazing into space, or reading. Then in the background you hear what sounds like one person clapping which the camera soon captures and shows on the screen. Seconds later, you see another and another and another person standing and clapping. Soon everyone is standing and clapping. Then the camera focuses on U.S. soldiers walking through the gate and into the crowd. At the end of the commercial, you see the backs of these soldiers with "Thank You" on the screen.
No one deserves our thanks more than our military, many of which are still in harm's way. I pray for their safe return. But my thoughts are with those who did not return, who did not walk through an airport gate greeted by their family, friends and grateful Americans. My thougths are especially of Jon and why wasn't he given the chance to come home, walk through an airport gate and be greeted by his family? This isn't how is was supposed to be. I often look at his pictures and remember some crazy silly thing he said or did and have to laugh. But for every touch of enlightenment, I endure weeks of darkness. Whenever the family get together for some special occasion or for no reason at all, the emotions continue to pulsate and one feels Jon's absence. Jon's death has left a hole in my middle of my heart and life. This holds true for his family and many of his friends.
Jon was supposed to come home and he did come home but not in the way any of us expected. I know that someday Jon will wait by those pearly gates and greet his family & friends. And we will never part again. But right now, here on earth and in this case, time has not healed any wounds, and time has not made a difference. Jon is missed so very much.
Rest in peace by beloved son. I think of you all the time, miss & love you with all my heart & soul. Mom
-Nadia Cadavero (October 21, 2008)
My heart breaks a little more everyday as I realize that Jon is never coming back. The pain this has caused is indescribable, and I pray to God that He will never make me go through something like this again. As I go about my daily life, I see plenty of people - in the news, on TV, or in person - whose existence and purpose I simply cannot fathom. Why are they still on this earth when Jon is not? It seems to me as if Jon was too good to live here, instead belonging in a place far away from the pain and imperfections that humans are forced to live with. Oftentimes, when we are asking God how He permitted this to happen to such a person, we forget to thank Him for the time we were allowed to be with Jon. Although I feel robbed and abandoned, I am ever so thankful that I was one of the fortunate people who were granted the privilege of knowing Jon. Out of the many things I learned from him, I will never forget the importance of living life to the fullest and making each day count. Jon made sure to follow this testament everyday. We all love and miss you my friend.
- (October 6, 2008)
I remember all the times Jonny and I spent together, during Thanksgiving, Christmas or during the summer. I remember the time he took me up the hill in my neighborhood in my little red wagon and just let me ride by myself all the way down. I remember the fun times at the beach with him being his funny, amazing self. But most importantly, I remember the way he used to say the right things at exactly the right time. Ha always had a funny or insightful thing to say. That was his God given gift, humor. Jonny was his name and comedy was his game. Another thing I remember was that fact that he always wanted to serve his country. He would try to act like Uncle but fail because he always had that sense of humor messing up that serious attitude that only Uncle can pull off. When I found out that he was going into the service, I could not have been happier. I was proud to call him my cousin but more importantly, I was proud to call him my friend and hero. Jon was my hero and still and forever will be. Things that Jonny used to say to me still help govern my life today and I know with the wisdom he shared with me, I will never fall off the right path. He was a man of God and he loved his family to the end. I know that he’s watching all of us from heaven right now and keeping tabs on how we all are doing. No matter what, we have to always remember that he is still with us in our hearts and that because of him, we all have a little sparkle of grace and laughter instilled in us. When I was little I used to say to him, “To the Moon, Jonny, to the Moon.” Well, now I get to say, “Peace be with you in heaven, my hero, Peace be to you.”
-Bonnie Bekersky (September 9, 2008)
I just checked on the website of "Run for the Fallen" to see where Jon was remembed, and found that it was in an area near Sparta, Tennessee; how appropriate that a true warrior (for he wanted to truly serve his country) was remembered in a one-mile run near a town named for the warrior city in ancient Greece. I think of Jon daily--and of his family; you have lost a member of the family, and I have lost a friend. You are always in my prayers.
-Neil Williams (nwilliams48@hotmail.com) (August 25, 2008)
I never knew Jon or the members of his family except for his dad David. He currently serves as my employer and the example that he sets for me gives me a clear indication of the type of man and soldier Jon was. To his mom who I know still has a tough time dealing with his death, God will give you the strength to make it. He was a good man who believed in integrity and the benefits of freedom.
Keep strong and keep the faith. I know you will see him again.
Rest in peace!
-Linden Hislop (August 20, 2008)
"Life is eternal, and love is immortal; and death is only a horizon; and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight." Anonymous
It doesn't take much for me to be reminded of Jon. Everyday something triggers a memory that either brings a smile or tears. Many times, both...............Right now my thoughts go back two years around the middle/end of July 2006 when Jon had his last home leave before his deployment to Iraq. He wanted to spend his ten days at home doing ordinary/simple things he enjoyed doing, going to places he loved to visit. His favorite meals were cooked when we didn't go to his favorite restaurants, we went to this lake he loved to swim at, he went food shopping for me and came home with all items on my list other than cereal & milk! But on his last full day at home, he wanted to cut the front lawn. As I heard the lawn mower start, I went to one of the front windows as I just wanted to watch him. And to my amazement there was Jon with no T-shirt, no socks, no sneakers, just his army PT shorts sprinting up & down, back & forth, singing "Sweet Caroline" at the top of his voice. Boy did I laugh.......but it was just like Jon to do something like this. Now when I water the front bushes & flowers, I can almost see and hear Jon as if he is doing a repeat "performance" just for me.
Almost is not good enough though. It never will be. Not a day goes by when my heart doesn't ache for my son. The pain that is deep inside of me is the same as when I first heard of Jon's death. Nothing has changed, it certainly hasn't gotten any better, and time has not made a difference. One learns to tolerate pain & hurt, to get up each morning & use all the strength possible to get through the day.
The other night as I was channel surfing, I cam across the movie "The Jazz Singer" with Neil Diamond. At that exact moment he was singing "Sweet Caroline"....somehow I love Jon's version better. When I think back on that day, even facing deployment & war, Jon was such a happy soul, proud to be able to serve, confident he would return, full of hopes & dreams for the future.
Until I meet Jon over that horizon, I love & miss him with my heart & soul. Mom
-Nadia Cadavero (August 13, 2008)
I've just read your website and am both awed and sobered. What an incredible life and witness Jon packed into his short life! Just think of the ripple effect his life has had and continues to have on all who came in contact with him. How I wish I could have known him! As a mother, I cannot imagine your loss, Nadia. Be assured of my prayers for you and the entire family as you continue to struggle with the void that Jon has left. May the Comforter be very real to you each day.
-Nancy Wilson (July 28, 2008)
I know that when I heard this I was shocked.
My memories will always be of his joke of the night before lights out in A bay. And if you didn't laugh he'd yell at you and then laugh at his own bad joke. He would always find something funny to say or do to make everybody happier. I'm sorry I never got the chance to serve with him after AIT but I can say he made the world a better place while he was here.
My condolences to the Cadavero's and all of his friends, family, and soldiers who knew him better than I did. May he have a peaceful rest.
-A fellow A-bay medic from AIT (July 26, 2008)
Leave your own memories & condolences of Sgt. Jonathan Cadavero.
