There are days that have special meaning to me. Today is one of those days. The exact date was November 20, 2006. It was the Monday before Thanksgiving. I was at the nursing home, sitting in my mother's room. My mom was sound asleep so I stepped outside into the hallway to stretch my legs. As I looked toward the nursing station I spotted two young men; one in civilian clothing, one in army fatigues. For a brief second I didn't know what to think & thought perhaps I was halllucinating. My feet went from walking to running. It was Jon & Andy. As we met, after all the hugs & kisses, I asked Jon what he was doing there & if he was in trouble! He titled his head backwards & laughed as he told me he was on home leave for two weeks & wanted to surprise me. Surprised I was! My heart was beating so rapidly that I thought it would leap out of my chest! For once, I shed tears of joy as I was so grateful to have Jon home. Last year, Thanksgiving lasted two weeks at our home. Jon had a way of bringing life, laughter and joy into any occasion. He certainly brought that and much more last year.
Today, I will be in the nursing home again and, although my mind knows Jon is gone; my heart will be hoping & waiting for him to walk down the hallway so we can cause another "ruckus" in the nursing home. If only I can turn back the clock and have it stop..................
I miss & love you son beyond words. Mom
-Nadia Cadavero (November 19, 2007)
Veterans Day Tribute - Part 2
Whenever I write a message on Jon's website, I get rather emotional and the tears run down my face faster than I can type. Therefore, last week when I wrote my message with regards to Veterans Day, inadvertently I omitted the following veterans that Jon knew, respected and was grateful for their service:
*Peter Mucha, *Lee Rich, *Frank Azar, and *Terry Johnsson.
On behalf of my son, I thank you for your service and sacrifice. All individuals named today and on October 12th were a positive influence on my son. I thank you for all your did for him and for being part of his life.
Jon - all the veterans you knew miss you terribly. But not half as much as me!
I love & miss you son. Mom
-Nadia Cadavero (November 19, 2007)
Dear Sgt. Jon,
Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you often. You were always my best friend, you became my hero, and you will forever be my inspiration.
The 12th of every month has a newfound significance for me, as it was on February 12, 2007 when you and I spoke for the last time. The conversation ended with your memorable and awe inspiring words, “I have no regrets, I would do it all over again, and I love being an American.” Especially today, November 12, the observed Veterans Day, your words have an incredible significance for they embody the strength and courage of the soldier you were, and the veteran heroes that you emulated.
Veterans Days was always your second favorite holiday (after Christmas), and faithfully every year you sent cards to every veteran you knew to thank them for their service to our great country. You chose as your heroes those who continued freedom and liberty for us. Brother, you yourself are a hero and there are no words strong enough to thank you for allowing us to continue to be free.
I promise to thank all the veterans here on earth for you. Please thank all the veterans you’re with in heaven for me.
Love Your Sister, Kristia
-Kristia Cavere (November 12, 2007)
American revolutionary Thomas Paine wrote in his pamphet Common Sense: "It is not in numbers, but in unity that our great strength lies."
The unity that is America springs from one cause - freedom. Generation after generation, Americans have stepped forward to defend our freedom and to preserve the founding principles of this great Nation. From Valley Forge to Vietnam, from Kuwait to Kandahar, from Berlin to Baghdad, these patriots have stood watch over America's peace, and when necessary, they have borne the costs of our Nation's wars.
On Veterans Day we honor the men and women who have served in our military. Today, there are more than 24 million living veterans. They are among our Nation's finest citizens. We honor their solemn pledge to defend our freedom. We thank them for their example of service and sacrifice, and we should pledge to uphold their legacy by teaching younger generations about their role in securing the blessings of liberty.
Every Veterans Day Jon would send cards to all the vets he knew to thank them for their sacrifice and service. This year, no cards were sent. However, special people have not been forgotten. So, on behalf of Jon, I would like to thank the following vets: *Jon's barber and friend, Art Cook *Jon's dentist, Dr. John Urcioli *neighbors and friends Sylvia Alvarez & Capt. Jack *Uncle Richard Cadavero **hero and beloved Uncle Ihor Bekersky and for all others that I might have missed, be assured that Jon would have remembered and sent you a card. He appreciated you as individuals, was grateful that you served our Nation, and was proud to have known you.
Unfortunately, Jon was not permitted to join that elite group of "living veterans." Yet, in his own way he is a veteran as he has "fought the good fight" and now Jon rests. Jon, you are our hero, and we are so proud of you. We will never forget the ultimate sacrifice you made so that we can remain free. May Jon rest in peace as we now think of and remember him.
Not a day goes by when I don't think of you. I miss and love you son.Mom
-Nadia Cadavero (November 12, 2007)
No words are worthy of a young man who would give his life for the defense of our freedoms and homeland. My cousin stood by his convictions to the end. I am still in awe of his unwavering loyalty and courage.
With love, admiration and deepest respect,
Randy Valle Dudley, MA
-Randy Valle (November 11, 2007)
Oh, Jonny! On this day when you paid tribute to so many Veterans through the years, we pay tribute to you and the ultimate sacrifice you made. We can never thank you enough. But still, we thank you. And we thank all your brothers and sisters-in-arms especially on this day - those still with us on this earth, and those who are now with you. We will miss you always - our family is incomplete without you here with us. But your spirit lives on through each of us, and we vow to 'pay it forward' in honor of your memory. Now, and always.
With much love to you, my youngest cousin!
Debra Valle Dudley, MA
-Debra Valle (November 11, 2007)
An open letter of gratitude to my beloved nephew, Jonathan Cadavero:
Dear Jonny,
Since you didn’t get my last letter, I am taking this opportunity to express a few thoughts of gratitude for all you have done for our family.
First of all, we miss you so very much. We are all deeply moved by your sacrifice, your selfless devotion to country, and your love of family, friends and community. Jon, it is almost impossible to put into words what we are all feeling. We know that we cannot be physically with you, but to tell you the truth, you are still so very much with us in spirit! We will always remember the gift of your presence. You are so very much a part of us – you will always be a part of us. We miss your compassion, your caring spirit, your sense of humor, and your love of the active life. We are so proud of all your many achievements and we will always cherish all the good times we spent with you. Your family and I are now trying to rise above the ashes of our grief. We are trying, each in our own way, to honor your memory, trying to find our way forward in order to pay tribute to your spirit – because we know that is just what you would want us to do. It is such a hard task – such a very hard task for us – but we are each trying in our own way.
Jonny, I found a piece the other day that I thought you would like. It’s entitled “I am a Soldier.” I hope you like it. It reminds me of you in so many ways!
I am a Soldier
“I do so solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. And I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, and I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me according to the regulations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, so help me God. I am a Soldier.
I do not choose the time or the place - convenience is not in my vocabulary. I stand at the ready and when my orders come, I go. I am a Soldier.
The job I am given to do, I will do, even if it costs me my life. I will do it. I am a Soldier.
A car approaches, a bicycle, a cart. I fix my stare, I hone my senses, I have but a short time to take action, but I shall restrain. It is part of my job. I am a Soldier.
I repair hospitals, schools, and homes. I help rebuild smiles for people I’ve never met before. This, too, is part of my job. I am a Soldier.
I gaze at those around me in a foreign land. I see a child, a wife, a parent, friends. Oh, how I wish I were home. Oh, how I wish they were mine. I am a Soldier.
Yes, take me home when the job is done, but only when the job is done. I am a Soldier.”
Jon, the job is done – welcome home!
With eternal love and respect,
Uncle Dick
-Richard Valle (November 11, 2007)
Hey Jonny, I was teaching my language arts class today, we were working on a project and I was handing out construction paper. Since sixth graders enjoy arguing over everything I was choosing the color for them, one little girl was sad because she wanted yellow and did not get it. Then one of my boys raises his hand and offers his yellow paper, which I happen to know is his favorite color, and gives it to her. Insignificant but something you did so many times throughout our childhood. As it is he reminds me of you because he's a jokester but today I just felt blessed because his actions so clearly reminded of how lucky I was to have you as a friiend.
Hope to see you in Heaven, neighbor.
-YANIVIS FRAGOZO (November 6, 2007)
I've tried to leave something here several times I just could never find the right words. Writng something in memory of my husband still dosen't seem right. From the very first time I met Jon I knew he was someone special. He would always come up to me with random jokes and doing whatever he could to get my attention. I'm so happy that I saw what a beautiful person he was. When Jon and I deployed we were both worried about each other, but being there with him was heaven in such a horrible place. Jon didn't just make me laugh there but everyone around him loved him, we could barely get a moment alone so many people wanted their time with him. Jon and I will be married for 1 year this November. A time that should be together, instead I'm watching our videos and looking at our pictures remembering him. I'm so honored that Jon chose me, he married me and now I have such a wonder family from him. My mother-in-law has been more of a mom to me than I've ever known. And when I've wanted to close up, she is always there. So thanks mom. Jon I miss you. I love you and I think about you every day. Happy (early) Anniversary my love.
Michelle Cadavero (Doc's Wife)
-Michelle Cadavero (November 1, 2007)
Jon meant so much to me from the very first time I had met him. I often remember back to that longful day, and think about what significance it has had on my life. There has not been a day go by since his passing, that I have not thought of him. It seems as though the significance of him being gone has really not hit me as well. I grew up with two loving sisters that I love to death and would do anything for, but never a brother. Through the years of school, I had always had friends, but it was not till the army, one of the least likely places I would of ever thought to find a best friend that it happened. From that point on, Jon was not ever a friend, but a brother, he seemed to be that brother that I hadn't had. Jon was there for everything that me and him ever had to go through. The rough times of the Army, the stresses of life in general, and on the contrary the best times that I'd ever had in my entire life. Being an Army Medic together, Jon and I shed through the blood and sweat of the everyday training. I remember always being in first squad, after a long days training, and looking back to that third squad, to see Jonny with that big ole' smile on his face, and we'd just laugh. The nights of the Dining Facility, and the calls home that we would make to our friends and family. Whenever we both either needed to talk, there would always be time. I remember back to times, that he'd wake me up after the army's "lights out" just so that we could go chat. He taught me so much about life, and everything in between. Lately, it has really seemed to sink in that I will not have those times anymore. I sometimes lay there in bed, wishing I could just run down to the end of the bay where Jon's bunk was so that we could talk, but then reality seems to set in, and the bay fades away, leaving me to my bed here in New Hampshire. I cannot express how much I miss you Jonny, and how much I wish I could of been there with you. Theres not a day that goes by, that I don't think, that if I was there, if I could of done anything different for you. As a brother and a Medic, its normal and I understand this feeling of wanting to be there with you, but the thought and the just awe wonderment of it being in my head, I just can't explain. I can't say how much I miss you man, and how much I think about you bro. Those days on the Scooters down in San Antonio while listening to Margaritaville and Tobey Keith, and the river walk to go along with it. I will never forget. To Kristia, Nadia, Michelle, and everyone in between. I cannot even think to a point where I could give my condolences to you from the near depths of my heart. These depths are unexplainable. You all have been so strong, so strong, that it is an example for me to be the way you guys are. I miss you Jonny, and all the family and friends in between. God Bless you all and GodSpeed. I'm ending this so that in any hopes that Jonny may read down upon this passage and listen to my and everyone else's words. Jonny, from the graduation of Medic school, I end this in saying to you. Congratulations Doc, you've done great things, we'll see you on the high grounds, GodSpeed. Jonny, I'll see you on the high grounds bud, keep a watch over everyone just for now. Love you tons bro. Your buddy Shea.
-SPC Shea Ahern, Jon's good Friend (October 31, 2007)
Leave your own memories & condolences of Sgt. Jonathan Cadavero.
