Thank you for posting the memory of Sergeant Jonathan “Jon” Cadavero...a true profile in Courage. While no words can fully express our sorrow, we can tell you that the bio is an inspiration to our own lives & our children. Jon and his family are truly inspirational and, on this Memorial Day, we still say a special prayer for them and be ever more proud to be Americans!
-robert j. fuentes (May 24, 2008)
On this Memorial Day Weekend now upon us, we pause in our daily rounds to honor my cousin, Jon, and the nearly 4,400 souls of soldiers lost. Lost, but never, ever forgotten. And we will continue to honor Jon’s memory – as well as all of our fallen heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom, to the very end of our days here on earth.
The following Memorial Day tribute was written by Mrs. Lyman Hancock – no doubt a heartbroken mother, grieving for her son lost on the battlefield – though written as if it were spoken by her son. It reminded me of Jon, and is excerpted here:
When I’m Gone
When I come to the end of my journey And I travel my last weary mile, . . . Remember only my smile.
…. Forget to grieve for my going, I would not have you sad for a day, But in summer just gather some flowers And remember the place where I lay.
And come in the shade of evening When the sun paints the sky in the west; Stand for a few moments beside me And remember only my best.
Though it is impossible not to grieve for Jon – especially for his parents and sister and extended family, we are comforted by the memory that Jon was at his very best each and every day of his short young life, as evidenced by all the loving tributes of his family, friends, classmates, and comrades-in-arms. He truly made the world a better place. And it is his memory that we will especially be honoring this weekend, and each and every day in some small way. Now and forever and always.
~ Debra Valle Dudley, Massachusetts Cousin of Jon
-Debra Valle (May 23, 2008)
A weekend passed, another one coming up. My "new" church is a cemetery and a stone bench is my pew. Jon doesn't know I'm there, he can't hear me whisper or see my tear filled eyes. Yet, I have this need to be near my son. Now, more than ever, my heart aches every day for him.
The poet & author, Maya Angelou, wrote the following words:
"It is healthy & honorable to weep at the loss of someone we love. Healthy because such passion must be released. Honorable because it is respectful to admit the importance of people who have loved & supported us......people whose footprints cannot ever be matched."
The world is full of people, but there was only one Jon. A very unique & special person who gave of himself & touched my life as well as the lives of everyone he came in contact with. His footprints certainly cannot be matched!
For the last fifteen months I have received advice from all kinds of people. Family, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers. I am sure they all had good intentions and tried, in their own way, to comfort me. But let me say that time heals nothing. Perhaps time makes life a little more tolerable. But there is a grief beyond the reach of solace. Grief is a very personal and individual process that needs to run its course. No one can tell you about grief, about its limitless boundaries, its unfathomable depths. The loss of a loved one, especially a child (in this case my son) leaves a big space in the heart, a crater that is created in the center of your body & soul. And nothing can fill it.
Jon was a treasure of my heart and losing him is as though I lost a part of myself.
So often I dwell on all the blessings, joy & laughter Jon brought into my life. So many countless moments & memories which keep Jon close in spirit & thought. This will never change & will always be in my heart today & forevermore.
Love you son. Words cannot express how much you are missed. Mom
-Nadia Cadavero (May 21, 2008)
Mother's Day 2008
Last year it was so hard to face Mother's Day knowing I would not hear from Jon. Or so I thought. Somehow he arranged with his sister, Kristia, to get me a special card & gift which she did present me with right on Mother's Day.
This year was even harder because I lost my mother the end of March and I wondered how the day would be & how I would get through it. Miraculously and, somehow as if Jon had something to do with it, I heard from his widow, college friends, college roommate, army buddies, and my former students, all wishing me a great day with phone calls, cards, and flowers! The outpouring of love & support was just overwhelming & touching. Thank you all!!
My "other daughter" & extended family had us over for a BBQ whichput a special touch to the day. It's because of of all these wonderful people who loved Jon so much that I was able to get through the day. Of course nothing could make up for Jon. Each day I miss him more. Each day I long to hear his voice, see his face. If only I could hug him one more time...........but that one more time would never be enough.
Although the following words are not my own, they say what is in my heart, so I dedicte them to my beloved son, Jon:
"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity. It dares all things & crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path."
"The love of husbands & wives may wwaver, brothers & sisters may become deep-rooted enemies, but a mother's love is so strong & unyielding that is usually endures all circumstances: good fortune & misfortune, prosperity & privation, honor & disgrace. A mother's love perceives no impossibilities."
"However time or circumstances may come between a mother & her child, their lives are interwoven forever."
As long as I live, Jon will always remain & be part of my life. My thoughts & heart carry his name & memory. Till we meet my son - I will love you with all my heart & soul.
Mom
-Nadia Cadavero (May 15, 2008)
First off Jonathan Cadavero was my best friend. We went to AIT together and were the best of buds. He started a scooter gang which was fun down in San Antonio. Jonathan was a brother to me and I can say I loved him. You showed me wisdom and knowledge that nobody would have. His kind hearted soul shouldn't had been lost. One of the things Jonathan, Miguel Flecha, and my self wanted to do was get a tattoo of something patriotic for a unit. The same tattoo and until this day I haven't got it but it is in the works. My tattoo artist has started the design and I called miguel flecha up because we all agreed to get tattoos together. On a bad note around the time Jonathan died my unit kept it away from me because I was going through a hard time because I suffer from chronic ptsd, Major depression, pseudoseizures and some personallity disorder. Until this day no one would tell me when he died. The worst thing he died the day for my birthday. I'm crying as I type because I loved him as a brother and they didn't allow me to go to his memorial service before leaving country. I've been trying to find out but been hospitalized for awhile now. Jon I loved you as a brother and I never got to say goodbye and I truly believe you were there for me as a gaurdian angel because i should had died in Iraq numerous of times and I bless you for that. I wish after AIT and before we deployed we could had spent some more time together. If any one reads this I would love to communicate with jon's family. My cell phone #5718308597 and my email address is slugger934@yahoo.com
And to jon's mom happy mothers day I wish I could give you a hug and show you the love your son could give you. You raised a hell of a son. He was very intelligent, physically fit, and one of the most funniest people I ever met. Your family will always be in my prays.
-andrew carbajal (May 11, 2008)
I have two daughters and never had a son. But knowing Jon through his mother has made me wish I had one. Jon was the best son, best friend, and best brother anyone could have. He was so kind and loving to everyone. He loved the children/students here at the Waldwick SDA School and, whenever possible, came and spent time with them. My daughter, Kirsten, still has the London key chain he gave her! Jon certainly ws someone to admire and will always be remembered.
-Mrs. Monica Agamez (May 7, 2008)
I remember the first week of school in 2001. I had just got into school and seeing one of the nicest people that I had ever seen. Of course, it was Jonny. I remember that in our gym class, he started facing me in basketball and did a lay up. Of course, I was only 8 so I had a clueless expression on my face and the only thing I could say was "Whoa!" No matter how his day was going, his jokes could cheer anyone up. His simple smile really cleared p the sky for me.
Many times, we don't seem to understand why God allows certain things to happen. Being that Jonny was such an amazing human-being, we always ask "Why God? Why Jonny? Why now?!" But the truth is, God knows what He's doing! He knew what legacy Jonny would leave us and how his legacy would live on for eternity.
I look forward to meeting Jonny in the clouds on our way to heaven. Let's not forget Jonny and what he's done for us: teaching P.E., substituding, showing us the real way to play kickball, playing catch in the back, being the best freeze tagger in the world, and overall, being a great person to us. We will remember Jonny not only as a soldier of the United States of America, but overall, a soldier of Jesus Christ. We hope to see you soon Jonny!
-Jonathan Candelaria Waldwick Alumni
-Jonathan Candelaria (May 6, 2008)
Tragedies either make us stronger or destroy us with bitterness and greif. Jesus is coming and because of that fact, David and Nadia, God has given you the strength and wisom to overcome and to look to Him for power and everyday courage. I did not know Janathan, and yet I did, because I know his father. David is is the epitomy of a humble Christian man seeking God's wisdom and living in His power. And I am sure that Jonathan was that same caring Christian man.
I know from personal experience that the loss of a loved one is devastating, it is not something that you get over, you live with it everyday. Yet, we have the hope of seeing our loved ones again, hope, hope, hope...the the key to the future is hope, hope in a soon returning Savior and in seeing Jonathan again. So, my only comment would be to know the Father, it is only by knowing and service to Him that you can face the future. May God contiue to bless you and care for you every day.
Larry Blackmer, Vice President North American Division Seventh-day Adventist Church Friend of David
-Larry Blackmer (May 2, 2008)
Beautiful tribute to this wonderful young man.
-Barbara (April 21, 2008)
Once in a while you come across a card or poem that says exactly what you feel inside but somehow couldn't find the "right" words yourself. That is the case with the following, which I dedicate to my beloved son, Jon:
"I thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday, And days before that too.
I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have are memories And your picture(s) in a frame.
Your memory is my keepsake, With which I'll never part. God has you in His keeping, I have you in my heart." Author Unknown
Love & Miss you Jon. Mom
-Nadia Cadavero (March 31, 2008)
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