Mrs. Cadevero, I finally found the web address to the site. I just wanted to say that I'm very sorry. I hope you know you can always talk to me.
You know, I remember one time, before I came to Wladwick. I was there because Hawthorne had a day off and my mom took us to school with her. Mandy and I were acting completly insane after school that Friday. I had written the words "Miss Piggy" across Mandy's forehand with dry erase markers and I made dots and lines all over her face with them. She also drew all over my face with them. He walked into my mom's classroom (which is now the resourse room at the end of the hall) and He just looked as us. We were on the rug my mom had on the floor acting absolutly insane. He looked at us and simply said "what are you doing?" We just burst out laughing out of embarrassment and realization of how ridiculous we must have looked sprawled out all over the floor with marker all over our faces.
It was just so funny and I will always remember that look he gave us. Mandy and I still laugh about that time once in a while. My comfort is knowing we will see him and all our loved ones again.
I hope you have a great day Mrs. Cadevero. I LOVE YOU!!
Love, Emily Hollister
-Emily Hollister (January 4, 2008)
Silent night . . . Holy night . . .
Sending Christmas blessings and wishes of peace and healing to Jonny's family ~ with heartfelt love from your extended family.
Debra Valle and Family Dudley, Massachusetts
-Debra Valle (December 24, 2007)
Our hearts are still and will always remain in pain. Being a neighbor in Jon's development and watching him grow, a very bright star is no longer shining here. He is and always will be missed. We did not know Jon well but well enough to 'feel' and 'see' how special he was. I loved watching him grow over the years: seeing him outside doing yard work, walking his cute dog, jogging, shooting hoops at the basketball court across the way... Seeing him always brought a smile to my face and warmed my heart. God bless you Jon and your family ~
-Dennis and Corinne (December 18, 2007)
I dont know how to start this message. This should be a happy occasion,knowing a Cadavero from across the globe. Reading the numerous letters of praises for john, i know his now with his creator. In behalf of the whole Cadavero Clan here in the Philippines, our prayer to you John and our deepest sympathy to your love ones.
-Romy Cadavero (December 14, 2007)
Months continue to pass and I continue to be drawn to this website. It is like I am able to share with Mrs. Cadavero and Krissy in their beautiful memories of Jonny. My heart literally aches for you both. It also reminds me of how fortunate we are to know we haven't seen the last of Jonny. I can't wait to see him and say all of things I never got to say. I want to tell him how blessed I feel to have known him all of those years. I want to tell him that although I learned so much more about his experiences after his passing, it was evident when we were younger that he was so very special. Thanks for the laughs Jonny and for having a kindness that was well beyond your years.
-Raquel Benjamin Cardona (December 7, 2007)
It was late Sunday night, December 3, 2006 and everyone was asleep...except for Jon & me. We stayed up for hours talking, laughing, reminiscing, and making plans for five family vacations to our favorites sports after he returned home. I didn't want the night to end; I didn't want "tomorrow" to come. Jon was leaving for Iraq the next morning on a military plane.
Morning did come and breakfast was rather quiet & somber as we sat at the table with heavy hearts. The ride to the airport was even quieter. We were at a loss for words. I fought with all my might not to cry, to be positive. At the airport, Jon & Michelle got their boarding passes and then I showed signs of losing it. Michelle wanted to give Jon & me "alone time" so we said our good byes and she went to the gate. Jon asked me not to go the the gate with them and I understood why. Since there was plenty of time, Jon walked me back to my car. That's when I became totally emotionally unglued. I just sobbed and sobbed as Jon held me. Jon kept reassuring me tha the time wouldfly by and he promised he wuld come home. He told me over & over again how much he loved me, missed me and thought of me every day. I couldn't speak, few words could come out but I managed to repeat the same words to him as he said to me. He had a stop over at Atlantic where a military plane took hundreds of soldiers back to Iraq. Jon called home four times - I think it was just as hard no him to leave as it was on me seeing him leave.
A year ago yesterday, December 4th marked the last time I saw Jon. Yes, time has flown by but, for some reason; Jon was not permitted to keep his promise to return home. I couldn't go to school/work as I needed to be with Jon. It was bitter cold, snow squalls passing by, and wind gusts strong enough to knock you over. In spite of all the weather elements against me, I had to go to the cemetery. Wtih much love & pride I placed a "grave blanket" by Jon's foot rest. How I wished that yesterday could have been different. How I wished that Jon could have been one of the returning soldiers.
His last words at the airpor on December 4th still echo in my mind, "I love you so much mom. I miss you & think of you everyday. I promise to come home"............
My dear son Jon, I love YOU so much, miss & think of you everyday, every hour and how I wish you were already home...alive, well, smiling and laughing............ Mom
-Nadia Cadavero (December 5, 2007)
Today is another day of significant remembrance for me. I miss and think about Jonny every day, but some days (if possible) more than others. February 12th will always be etched in my mind as the last day that I spoke with Jon, the 27th of every month is a sad reminder that another month has gone by since his passing on February 27, 2007, and December 3rd I will always remember as the last time I saw Jon in person.
One year ago, on Sunday, December 3, 2006, Jon, along with Mum and Michelle, took me to the train station. I was headed back to DC, and the next day Jon and Michelle were traveling back to Iraq after their home leave. The train was late, giving me a few more minutes to spend with Jon. I held back the tears and tried to remain cheerful, telling Jon that I would see him soon and reminding him yet again to be careful. Jon, sensing the strong emotions in each of us –Mum watching her children say good-bye and knowing she herself would be saying it the next day to her son, Michelle knowing she would be returning to war in twenty-four hours, me saying farewell to my brother- with his typical use of humor to lighten a tense moment, began snapping his fingers, lightly stomping his foot, and singing “The Taliban Song” by Toby Keith (words below).
I’m just a middle-aged, middle-eastern, camel herdin’ man I got a little two-bedroom cave here in North Afghanistan Things used to be real nice and they got out of hand Since they moved in, They call themselves the Taliban
Now I ain’t seen my wife’s face since they came here They make her wear a scarf over her head that covers her from ear to ear She loves the desert and the hot white sand But man she’s just like me, No she can’t stand the Taliban
But you know someday soon we’re both gonna saddle up And it’ll be ride camel ride My old lady she’ll be here with me, Just smilin’ right by my side We should do just fine out around Palestine, Or maybe Turkmenistan We’ll bid a fair adieu and flip the finger to the Taliban
Now they attacked New York City ‘Cause they thought they could win Said they would stand and fight until the very bloody end Mr. Bush got on the phone with Iraq and Iran and said Now you sons-of-bitches you better not be doing any business with the Taliban
So we prayed to Allah with all of our might Until those big U.S. jets came flying in one night And they dropped little bombs all over their holy land Man you should have seen them run like rabbits they ran, the Taliban
But you know someday soon we’re both gonna saddle up And it’ll be ride camel ride My old lady she’ll be here with me, Just smilin’ right by my side We should do just fine out around Palestine, Or maybe Turkmenistan We’ll bid a fair adieu and flip the finger to the Taliban
Jon wanted to make us laugh and temporarily calm our fears of what lay ahead during the rest of their tour in Iraq. Michelle and I started giggling, especially as Jon put an arm around our shoulders and had us sway with him as he sang louder. She and I started singing along as well, and even Mum began laughing as she watched the amusing spectacle.
The train finally came. One last hug all around, the final one for Jon. One last mantra of “I miss you, I love you, I’m praying for you, I’m so proud of you, stay safe.” One last reminder from Jon to me of “Shoulders back, be brave,” a phrase of encouragement we used. One last wave from my window seat as the train pulled away from the station, before I allowed the tears to form.
Jon always did what he could to help people whether that was volunteering his time and talents for charities and organizations he believed in, treating everyone he met with respect and dignity, standing up for justice and the innocent, defending his country, or funnily singing an (in some parts) obnoxious song to make the good-bye process less painful for his sister. Today was another day of significant remembrance, of recognizing all Jon did to help us, and of renewing my promise to emulate him in all the ways that I can.
Kristia Cavere (Jon's sister)
-Kristia Cavere (December 3, 2007)
It's another sleepless night and endless thoughts of Jon. One year ago today Jon and I were married. I remember the day like it was yesterday. A very joyfull day when we vowed to be together for the rest of our lives. To cherish, honor, and love unconditionally for the rest of our lives. His pictures are all around my house everywhere I look, I see his smile and I'm reminded of our time together and his love. I can remember everything about our time together, I remember when he proposed in Iraq while helicopters flew overhead. I remember every joke, every kiss, every warm hug. I remember when we stood in front of each other saying our vows and the smile on him that he couldn't hide. I remember the feeling that took over me every time I saw him walking towards me. I try so hard everday to remember those times and not the morning of Feburary 27th. I miss him and love him more that I could ever possibly begin to express.
Jon, Happy Anniversary. Thank you for showing me the best kind of love. You are my hero and I am so proud of you. I think about you everday. I believe you're looking after me, I can almost feel you sometime. Like you're standing next to me. I know it has to be you because I suddenly feel warm and safe and whole again, and that's something that only you could ever make me feel. The first time we actually talked was when we were both on CQ together and you sang me the Thanksgiving song by Adam Sandler; well I just thought you would like to know that he has a new song out for Hanukkah. It's pretty funny, I think you would like it. I still sleep with the teddy bear you gave me, you told me to hold it to keep me warm until I can be in your arms again. I love you so much. I'm lost without you. My heart is yours always and forever. I love you with all my heart. Happy Anniversary my love. Love your wife
-Michelle Cadavero (November 30, 2007)
I've been planning to write for a long, long time, but just haven't been able to put my feelings into words. I met Jon just over 2 years ago when he began coming to church services at First Presbyterian Church in San Antonio TX, just across the street from the motel where he would stay with his classmates when on weekend pass. Looking sharp in uniform, and both friendly and courteus, Jon made an instant impression in the October 2005. In fact, we (my mother, who was visiting) and I sat right behind him, and we spoke before and after the service. Wehn he became a "regular" attendee, I (with the permission of the host) asked him to join us for the Thansgiving feast at a friend's downtown condo, that overlooks a section of the San Antonio River Walk. He was glad to accept, and I was delighted to pick him at Fort Sam (we had talked several times, so that I knew when and where to go). As we left the post, the guard said "you're supposed to have 2 trainees", but I explained we had already made separate arrangements (most trainees were picked up in pairs or groups, and had been randomly assigned to families wiilling to host). Ever the gentleman, he enjoyed the chance to visit, to assist (although the host did most of the work), and after the meal, several of us took a long, extended walk along the river (the only thing to do after a big, heavy meal). We did return him to the post by the required time, but I know that he thoroughly enjoyed the visit. He regularly attended the services until his Christmas break, and when he returned for the final weeks of his training, he stilll kept in touch (even though part of it was a "field training" where contact was limited) when he could. On the weekend of his graduation from training as a medic, he made sure that I was able to meet his mother and sister, who came down for that ceremony. As usual, we took a few pictures--so I have some great memories of that time. I kept in touch with Jon when he returned to Fort Drum and as he underwent further training prior to his deployment to Iraq. We kept in touch by letter and e-mail a few times, and my last note from him was on Feb 14, 2007. Ever the kind and gentle soul, he began by expressing his condolences to me at my mother's death a few weeks earlier in January. On a cold Sunday afternoon (March 4, 2007), I was stunned, shocked, saddened & devastated to see his name listed as the "latest causualty" in Iraq. My first thought was that "it can't be Jon!!", and I initially rationalized that it wasn't because the hometown was listed as Takoma Park, MD; the only address I knew for Jon was Tuxedo, NY. The newspaper here lists the casuaalites when the names are released by the Department of Defense, and the grade, name, age, unit, post nd hometown are all listed. There is no commentary, just a straight, factual listing. I realized a little later that I might be able to search on the Internet, and so I did a "Google" on Jon--and sure enough found that the listing was correct and that it was the Jon Cadavero that I knew only too briefly. I was simply devastated. Based on the information that I found on-line, I checked the newspapers from a few days earlier, and sure enough there was the words that "3 solldiers were killed today south of Baghdad by an IED"--and three soldiers were the one who were listed that Sunday. I've come to know Jon even better from the notes that I have read here, and at Legacy.com--and the impact that he had on people, and the friends that he made, is simply astounding. He has touched a lot of people in his life--and many more in his death. I know from his last email (Feb 14, '07) that he was looking forward to coming back to San Antionio for a reunion here with his training buddies. I had told him that when he got here, he was going to recieve a long and emotional "hug" from me. Now, I will have to wait unitl I see him in heaven--but I know that my mom has seen him again. Jon was a wonderful individual, student, soldier, medic, and person. He will be sorely missed. He is in my prayers, as are his wife and family. GOD BLESS.
-Neil Williams (nwilliams48@hotmail.com) (November 29, 2007)
Thanksgiving 2007 has come & gone and now it's only a memory. In 2006 Jon was home and our Thanksging could not have been better. This year I envisioned Jon sitting at the table, relating "war stories" and, of course, him adding his twist of humor to each tale. There was excitement, life, love, and laughter throughout the house. This year was completely different. As my family & loved ones gather around the table and small talk was carried back & forth from all sides, the general mood & atmosphere was rather somber. Before we ate, Kristia offered to say grace but half way broke down and struggled to complete her prayer.
As Andy put it in an email to me right after Thanksgiving: "Sadly, I could tell that we were all aware someone was missing from the table. It's always a great time when we're together, but Jon's absence had a significant effort on all of us..................I think part of God's plan is for all of us to use Jon's characteristics & morals as an example and implicate them in our own lives. In that way, Jon's legacy will continue as long as we want it to." How well said from this young man who was Jon's "brother" in all ways that mattered.
From now until the end of time, Jon's absence will have a significant effect on me. It doesn't have to be a holiday or special occasion but every day I feel this emptiness and loss. I think of Jon all the time. Countless times during each day I am reminded of him by something I see, hear, or do and how my heart aches to see him, hear his voice at least once more. But one more time would never be enough.........
I miss you my son. All the pictures I have at school and all over the house are not enough. How I wish yo were coming home for the upcoming Holidays....
I love you Jon. Now & forever. Mom
-Nadia Cadavero (November 29, 2007)
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