On this the 6th anniversary of terrorism to our country, we reflect upon the victims and their families, and the soldiers who have bravely fought for our freedom. Sgt. Jon was a man who lived to a high standard with deep convictions and sound ethics. Although we did not know him very well, his passing and what he stood for has caused us to pause and be thankful for the freedoms we hold dear. At my staff meeting this morning a co-worker called for a moment of silence in remembrance of 9/11, and he mentioned the sacrifice of my cousin for his country. Our sympathies go out to uncle David, aunt Nadia, and cousin Krisita.
-Mark & Julie Cadavero (September 11, 2007)
Dear Brother,
As I’m writing this, I know that you’re already home, and that you and God are looking out for me. But knowing that you’re in a safe, peaceful place doesn’t make it any easier for those you left behind. I can’t believe that tomorrow will be the 7-month anniversary of the last time I heard your voice. I will always vividly remember that last phone call on February 12, 2007, and the last words I heard you speak. “I have no regrets, I would do it all over again, and I love being an American.”
The last promise I made to you, during that final phone call, was that I would start school again this fall. The original plan was for us to begin the program together in Fall 2008, but as you were considering re-enlisting you did not want me to wait. I’ve kept that promise, and a few weeks ago began a masters program in a specialized discipline for service to our country. Of course it is not the same without you, nothing is, but I know you’ll be with me as I go through. Just as the tragic events of September 11th cemented your already-present resolve to defend America, your passing has increased my determination to protect America.
I remember being with you on September 11, 2001, sitting next to you during the emergency assembly that was called at CUC, and us being worried for our aunt who worked in a building adjacent to the World Trade Center, and praying for the victims and their families. I remember the next day talking with you and Peter and wondering how such a thing could have happened, and Peter saying, “When the good do nothing, evil prevails.” You adopted that quote and delivered it with a Jonny flair, and created a phrase that was to become your mantra: “Evil prevails when good men do nothing.” The saying was very memorable to all who heard it. Those were not only words you said from that day forward, but how you lived your life.
I don’t think you’ll ever stop inspiring people, from the memories of people who knew you, to the fond recollections of those who met you, to the feelings of encouragement you inspire in those who are hearing about you for the first time. Many at school are inspired by you, and have told me that even though they won’t get the chance to be your classmate, learning about your dedication and bravery has motivated them to be more courageous and deepened their feelings of patriotism. Being human, we will never see all the effects you made here on earth in the lives you touched and are continuing to touch. Being faithful, we know your influence will always be present as we take that piece of inspiration we received from you and in turn affect those around us, and so on. You had a lot of light in you, Jon, and it’s still shining bright.
Love, Sister
-Kristia Cavere (September 11, 2007)
3165. That four digit number will forever be etched in my memory because it represents the numerical placement assigned to my son, Sergeant Jonathan (Jon) David Cadavero. He, along with two other soldiers were tragically killed on February 27, 2007 after their Humvee was struck by a massive “roadside bomb,” by what is known in military terms as an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that was deeply entrenched in the ground. The quality and scope of Jon’s life goes way beyond his identity as a human statistic. Jon touched this world in a special way, leaving wonderful memories and lasting imprints not only on his family—but many, many friends, and acquaintances who considered him an extraordinary human being. The Times Herald-Record, a newspaper serving Hudson Valley and the Catskills (New York), included the following observation in describing Jon: “Those who knew Cadavero paint a picture of a young man so clean-cut and earnest that he might have stepped out of a Norman Rockwell painting.” What an incredible statement to be said about any human being.
In my office is a quotation from the late Peter Marshall who served as Chaplain of the U.S. Senate. It says, “When the clock strikes for me, I shall go not one minute early, and not one minute late. Until then, there is nothing to fear. I know that the promises of God are true...the measure of a life after all, is not its duration, but its donation.” You don’t get to choose how you’re going to die, or when, you can only decide how you’re going to live. Jon died at 24 and emerged as a person whose “donation” was broad and far reaching and impacted on more people than many adults whose chronological age spans 6 or 7 decades. Just a few personal observations:
An 11-year-old boy (whose mother served as head librarian at the college from which Jon graduated) said that Jon was the only college student who ever spoke to him and encouraged him to do well in school. Jon called him from Iraq to make sure he was taking his studies seriously. What kind of young man does this? While Jon was a teenager, he would send personalized Memorial Day cards to veterans who served our country thanking them for their patriotic service. What kind of teenager does this? One of Jon’s teachers recalled that a group of 6th grade boys cheated on a final examination and invited Jon to be a part of that “inner circle”. Jon’s moral principles prohibited him from compromising. That was a profound moment his teacher said, “because I could sense here was a young man who was willing to stand by his convictions despite what his peers were doing.” On another occasion, Jon’s dormitory dean at college recalled that thousands of dollars of equipment was stolen from a dormitory room. Jon was the only student out of the entire dormitory who volunteered to assist the dean. This eventually led to all of the equipment being returned and justice being served on several students. What kind of student does this? One of Jon’s major professors in college said that Jon’s death “became the saddest, darkest day in my 24 years of teaching at Columbia Union College.” He also recalled that Jon would pop into his office and ask if there was anything he needed help with. As a result, Jon prepared a series of videotape clips for use in his Physiological Psychology class on the brain. “Jon was truly a one of a kind person.” What kind of human being does this? At Fort Drum, New York, a special memorial service was held on May 25, 2007 to honor our fallen heroes. A soldier with a severe leg wound was discharged from military service while serving in Iraq. He came up to Jon’s mother and said that Jon saved his life. He further said that Jon demonstrated extreme courage while under enemy fire. (Several similar stories can be said by other soldiers in Jon’s unit in which he served as the head medic.) What kind of a soldier does this?
These illustrations reflect who Jon was—a person possessing a caring heart, deep moral principles, tremendous courage and “grit.” It represents just a small “snapshot” of Jon’s contributions to life and can be multiplied with hundreds of other “nuggets” in which he did the “extraordinary.”
Jon also had an uncanny ability to be at the “right place at the right time.”
In November 2004, Jon was present in the main ballroom at the Ronald Reagan Center in Washington, D.C. during the evening when President Bush was re-elected to his second term. In the room were members of the Republican “brass”—senators, congressman etc. While there, he was interviewed by a reporter from Newsweek Magazine in which he was quoted calling Bush, “The right President to continue the war on terrorism. He’s not afraid to do the unpopular thing.” During Jon’s final year in college, he served as a cashier in Barnes and Noble bookstore. A “stranger” was purchasing several military books (several of which Jon read) and the two got into conversation. The “stranger” was the undersecretary of the Department of Defense (#2 below Donald Rumsfeld). The following day, Jon got a call from a general in the Pentagon asking him if he would like a private tour of the Pentagon. (Of course, Jon said “Yes”...and at the end of the tour, Jon was given the general’s private telephone number and wanted Jon to “keep in touch.” While walking in a park in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Jon noticed a gentleman sitting on a park beach who was reading a book Jon just happened to be reading also. They got into conversation. Their relationship flourished and a warm friendship developed. Who was this man? He is the Founding Director of the U.S. Holocaust Museum, in Washington, D.C. and one of the world’s foremost authorities on clinical depression. He holds two Ph.D.’s, including one from Harvard and was a professor of Clinical Psychology at Johns Hopkins University. He is also a major writer for numerous television productions (especially on the Hallmark channel) and has written for several of Steven Spielberg’s movies, including Schindler’s List. (Spielberg also currently serves on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Holocaust Museum, and is a three-time Academy Award-winning film director and producer.) A few personal observations the professor shared with me about Jon (all of which are direct quotations): 1. It isn’t the quantity of a person’s life that counts, it’s the quality. Jon touched my life, and I’ve never been the same. 2. You are the luckiest parents in the world to have had Jonathan as a son. 3. Jon lived his faith; most people only talk it. 4. When Jon came into my life, I won the lottery. 5. You will never know what war is like until you lose someone you love. War just rips you apart. But you must administer to the living while you mourn. No one knows how far the ripple a pebble makes in a stream. It is the same with life. Our influence can go on-and-on. Jon influenced my life for the good. 6. Jon gave to the world—caring, sharing, and love. Jon lived the Hallmark motto, “When you care enough to give the very best.” 7. During his final visit to the professor’s home, Jon made the following observations: • Some people talk about doing something. I want to live it. • The reason evil takes place in this world is because many people of goodwill stand by and do nothing!
When Jon returned from Iraq, the professor had two “surprises” planned for Jon: 1. Jon’s educational expenses would be covered in full at a major law school in Washington, D.C. (The professor already spoke with the president of the university and the Dean of the Law School about Jon in depth, and they felt he would be a good match with the school’s program.) 2. At the end of the board of directors meeting at the U.S. Holocaust Museum, the professor was planning to introduce Jon as a “hero” returning from Iraq to the entire board of directors, and to introduce Steven Spielberg to Jon, personally.
(Imagine that all this happened as a result of Jon crossing paths with a “stranger” on a park bench.)
In the book, Education, p. 57, Ellen G. White states, “The greatest want of the world is the want of men (women) who will not be bought or sold, who in their inmost souls are true and honest, who do not fear to call sin by its right name, whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle is to the pole, who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.” Jon’s character reflected these core values. In a world of darkness, Jon was a shining light. He led a life full of wisdom beyond his years, practiced the “Golden Rule” and was passionately devoted to making this a better world. Our world is a lonelier place without Jon—but time will not erase the ultimate sacrifice he made for the country he loved and cherished—America.
Jon gave up his life to keep our families, our children safe and free. “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13. We can never repay him for his sacrifice—but we can remember him by signing his guestbook. Jon’s legacy will be kept alive through two Web sites: Goldstarsister.com and SgtJon.com. We would be honored if you sign Jon’s condolence book.
I would like to thank the hundreds of family members and friends who offered comfort during the most difficult time of our life—the e-mails, the condolence cards, flowers, telephone calls—but especially the heartfelt prayers. We were overwhelmed with honor and pride that hundreds of individuals signed Jon’s on-line Guestbook—Legacy.com. Many of these entries came from strangers throughout the world. (This is a separate Guestbook from the one found on Jon’s Web site—SgtJon.com.)
In November 2006, while on a short home-leave, Jon got married to a fellow soldier, Michelle, who served as a military police officer, and who had similar core convictions with Jon—the desire to serve America. Sadly, they were married for only 3 ½ months and looked forward to sharing a wonderful life together. Michelle, your love helped Jon to cope with the daily stresses and strains of day-by-day survival in a war zone. According to several published reports, Jon was “so proud to have you as his wife and loved you very much.” It was said that on each of the over 200 missions that Jon served, he always had a smile on his face; I am sure that you played a major role in helping to make that happen. Michelle, thank you for adding a special dimension to Jon’s life. You’ve been hurt on life’s highway—but carry on the “torch that both of you shared—today, tomorrow, and into eternity.
The Cadavero family looks forward to the glorious day when Jon will hear the glorious proclamation, “Well done thou good and faithful servant...enter thou into the joy of the Lord,” (Matthew 25:21). What a privilege, what a promise, what a destiny. To God be the Glory!
A closing observation: Jon’s final words to his sister two weeks before his death included one final shot of patriotism. He said, “I have no regrets. I would do this all over again. I love being an American.” What kind of an American is this? GOD BLESS AMERICA!
David A. Cadavero Jonathan’s Father
-David Cadavero, Jonathan's Father (September 11, 2007)
On this oh, so somber, 6th anniversary of Sept. 11th, we take time to honor Jonny and his brothers and sisters-in-arms. Those who, like Jonny, made the ultimate sacrifice - and those who are still with us, but still making those tremendous, everyday sacrifices being away from their families and loved ones as they continue to serve our country. We pray for their safe return. And we continue to pray for healing from these darkest of days and nights of grieving for those in Jonny's family. It will, no doubt, be a life-long journey on the road to healing and inner peace. But we pray, just the same. We pray . . .
Debra Valle & Family Dudley, Massachusetts
-Debra Valle (September 11, 2007)
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Cadavero and Kristia,
I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am for the loss of your beloved brother and son. Your cousin and nephew, Jeffrey, has been a dear friend of mine for 17 years, and over the years he has often talked to me about Jonathan. Three years ago when I was in Maryland visiting Jeffrey and another close friend of mine, I finally got the privilege of meeting Jonathan and Kristia when we all met together at a Chinese restaurant. When I met Jonathan I was immediately able to understand why Jeffrey always had so much love and admiration for him, and affectionately referred to him as his little brother. What stands out in my mind the most was his enormous sense of bravery, dedication, and patriotism for his country. During the course of our conversations Jonathan was telling me about his plans to enlist in the Army. I asked him where he would be stationed and what he would be doing once he joined. I still remember to this day his exact words to me were, “wherever they send me.” I asked him if he was at all nervous or afraid, and he told me that he was prepared to go wherever he was needed the most, and do whatever it was that he had to do no matter what. I will never forget how impressed I was with such courage. What I didn’t realize at that time was that three months later I would also be going to fight in a war, against an enemy that was inside my own body. That following September I would learn that I had a recurrence of ovarian cancer; one of the most lethal kinds of cancer that claims the lives of 15,000 American women every year. My fight against cancer was the biggest battle that I would ever have to face, and there were times where I didn’t know if I had the strength within me to continue fighting it. During that time I thought about Jonathan and of his bravery over the unknowns that were going to take place in his life. I thought about how Jonathan never allowed himself to be overcome with the fear of death. He did his duties with complete faith and integrity. Without him even realizing it your son and brother played a role in helping me fight and ultimately win my battle with cancer. Miraculously I am now in remission and am coming up on 3 years of being cancer free. I wish I could tell Jonathan how much his example inspired me to keep on fighting no matter what.
Everyday when I see my little son, I can only hope and pray that I will raise him to become the kind of man that your Johnny was. After reading about his truly amazing heroic acts that saved the lives of so many of his fellow soldiers I realize more than ever how proud you must be of your son and brother. Being a mother myself, I can’t even imagine how painful his death must be for you. May it bring you a lot of comfort to know that many of the soldiers that he helped to save the lives of can be reunited with their families because of Jonathan. And although you miss him now it won’t be long until you will also be reunited with him and there will be no more wars or illness or death.
I feel so honored that I had the opportunity to meet Jonathan even if it was for just a short moment. His inspiration will stay with me for the rest of my life. Just as Johnny told me on that evening in June over three years ago, I also am going to go in life where I am needed the most and I no longer have to be afraid. If I could I would tell Jonathan that I am going to go "wherever life sends me."
Love, Julie
-Julie Hetherington (September 11, 2007)
Jon I never had the privilege of meeting and knowing you, but all that I have heard of you fills me with such inspiration. Yours was a life so wonderful and Christ centered. But for some reason known only to your Maker, it was rudely snatched by the abhorred shears of death. But howeveras short as it was, it gave great glory to God. From what I have known of your life, I have tried to project into the future what you could have achieved under God. However He knows best. The great Roman orator Cicero once said: "Ad bene vivendum breve tempus satis est." This means: "For living well, a short time is enough." May the Almighty God grant you a part in the first resurrection!
-Pastor Hermann V. A. Kuma (September 6, 2007)
Sgt. Jon Cadavero has left us with a legacy for all of us to emulate. From everything that I have read and heard about Jon, it makes me proud to be his uncle. Because many miles separated us, I did not have the privilege of seeing him in action as others have. Jon would be alive today if he lived life playing it safe. For him, to be just like the average Joe and not give your best in everything you do would be tragic. According to Jon, that's not the way you're supposed to live your life down here. So in everything Jon did, he always went above and beyond what was expected of him. He accomplished more and touched more lives in his 24 years than most people do in a lifetime. Jon is truly an American hero who was willing to give his life so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy today. Thank you Jon for giving your best and doing your best in making this world a better place. You made so many people laugh when life was tough. You helped so many people on the highway of life and made the load they were carrying lighter. I am so proud to be able to talk about you in my Bible classes about the kind of person you were - and how you touched so many lives and made their lives better. You made every day count. You lived every day as if it were your last. Your example has inspired me to continue to give my best every day and give my best to every day to everyone I meet. I know that on resurrection morning, Jesus is going to say to you - "Well done, my good and faithful servant, enter now into the joys of your Lord forever." I can't wait to see you on that glorious day.
One of the stories that makes me smile is somewhere around 4th-6th grade, we were supposedly going out. It was so innocent that you look back at those few days (i think it barely was for about two weeks since we would not talk to each other haha) and you can't help but smile about it. While I left Waldwick that crew always have had a special place in my heart of which cannot be compared. Since a kid you were a man of courage and soo kind-hearted and I'm glad to see that throughout time that didn't change.
Love always, Kelly
-Kelly Rogel (August 13, 2007)
I didn't know him, but I knew his father for many years. His father is a good man, and it looks like he raised a wonderfule son. The world is a better place because he was in it.
- (August 13, 2007)
Jonny, I have so many good memories of you and the times we had in Waldwick. You always had a way of making me smile and crack up at all your jokes. You were so fun to be around! I can't forget watching you play basketball and how much you loved it. Also, the last time you called me jout of the blue ust to say "Hi" you were about to go to Iraq. You had such a good heart and you were truly a shining start for Jesus. I want to thank you for your friendship and I'll see you in heaven! May God give your family peace.
-Lillian Portillo Loza (August 13, 2007)
Leave your own memories & condolences of Sgt. Jonathan Cadavero.
