I was watching the movie "Out of Africa" the other night and I heard this poem read. While I listened, all I could think about was Jon and how much I miss him and wish that he, I, and those others who love him, hadn't been cheated of his future. .
Hey kiddo, baby brother of my college best friend and my forensic psychology study-mate, my sorrow in the loss of you oft overshadows my happy memories of you, me and Kristia in college together. Yet every day when I pass the college campus I think of you and your jokes or how seriously you took your education. Every morning when I wake and see on my dresser the photo of you and me, I smile and remember.
As I have done for two years now, each year on Veterans' Day I will continue, in your honor, your tradition of sending thank-you letters to veterans and those serving our country.
Jon I miss you man and I can't wait until that glorious day when I will embrace you and hear your voice again. Til then my friend....there will be a scar with your name on my heart.
To an Athlete Dying Young by A. E. Housman
The time you won your town the race We chaired you through the market-place; Man and boy stood cheering by, And home we brought you shoulder-high.
To-day, the road all runners come, Shoulder-high we bring you home, And set you at your threshold down, Townsman of a stiller town.
Smart lad, to slip betimes away From fields were glory does not stay And early though the laurel grows It withers quicker than the rose.
Eyes the shady night has shut Cannot see the record cut, And silence sounds no worse than cheers After earth has stopped the ears:
Now you will not swell the rout Of lads that wore their honors out, Runners whom renown outran And the name died before the man.
So set, before its echoes fade, The fleet foot on the sill of shade, And hold to the low lintel up The still-defended challenge-cup.
And round that early-laurelled head Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead, And find un-withered on its curls The garland briefer than a girl's.
-Esther (May 29, 2009)
No greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for the ones he loves. Such a love is that exemplified by Christ Himself. True love of others, even though they may detest you, is the purest love of all. By love, serve one another. Jon as a medic, served all his soldiers. My sister was a 91B, too, and loved helping people. May the Great Physician soothe the hurt in your hearts as you remember Jon. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
-Robert Collier (May 27, 2009)
May our precious Lord tenderly hold the Cadavero family in His mighty arms during this Memorial Day week. Being a Vietnam veteran myself, and having two of my comrades names written in "The Wall" at the memorial in D.C., my heart keenly feels the pain and weeps with yours. "Our redemption draweth nigh." That's our hope. Let's stick to it.
-Pastor Dan Pabon & Milca Pabon, - TV Producer, The Hope Channel, General Conference of SDA's Silver Spring, MD (May 26, 2009)
May the words written in this memorial inspire others as much as they have inspired me. Jon's sacrifice has not been in vain. Hope Jon's loved ones can experience God's peace.
-Alicia Marquez (May 25, 2009)
Dear Members of the Cadavero family. We cannot imagine your loss but you are in our prayers continually. Jon's service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.
-Ryan and Christine Sharpe (May 25, 2009)
Memorial Day. A day of family gatherings, picnics, Bar-B-Q's, and parades honoring our military. But this should be a day of reverence, as we are compelled with solemn respect to remember to pay tribute not only to Jon but to all of our service men & women who fought valiantly, both on the battlefield and beyond, to preserve our own freedom, to protect our nation's ideals, and to perpetuate our cherished liberty. As Jon would often say, and a point we should all remember, that freedom is not always free. To his family & friends, Jon was a hero. And we cannot thank him enough for his courage.....the courage to fight for the freedom every American holds so dear.
We must honor those who have scrificed their own freedom, whether through their talents, their time, their service, or, in many cases such as with Jon, their lives for love of their country and for all of our sakes. Those we served and died, whose patriotism and courageous dedication to this country, should never be forgotten. Nor should their sacrifice be taken for granted.
Today, Memorial Day, we placed flowers by Jon's grave, gazed at the flag he loved so dearly, and missed him beyond words. Today, Jon was thought of & remembered in a very special way with great love & admiration.
My son - my hero will never be forgotten. I love you Jon. Always. Mom
-Nadia Cadavero (May 25, 2009)
A mother's pain, a family's victory, and the Lord's promises all on this one page. At this special time set aside to remember those who have served this country, I pray only for God's continued love and peace for each family member of a man who served God, his country and his fellowman to the end. Blessings!
-Jo Ann Ephraim-Wilson (May 25, 2009)
Happy Memorial day to you and your family Jon! You're never forgotten! I miss you man!
-Jeremy Smith (May 25, 2009)
On this special day we remember SGT. Jonathan Cadavero and pray for his family. Though we never met SGT Cadavero personally, his dedication, spirit of sacrifice, selfless duty, and love for his companions even to the ultimate consequences, inspire us. Jon, every day of the year and especially on this day we remember and admire your service to our country, thank you. Our gratitude and prayers also go to your parents Nadia and our friend and colleague David, your sister Kristia, and your wife Michelle.
"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first." (I Thessalonians 4:16)
Pastor Jose Cortes Jr & Joanne Cortes Director of Adventist Youth Ministries Greater New York Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
-Jose & Joanne Cortes (May 25, 2009)
As the weekend draws to a close and the day approaches for remembering all who have fallen in the service of their country, my thoughts are once again with the Cadavero family. There is a not a day that goes by that I do not think of Jon, and he definitely will be on my mind tomorrow, as I attend the annual services at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. The flag will flutter in the morning breeze against an azure sky, wihile the grave markers that dot the cemetery stand as silent setinels to remind us of the tremendous sacrifice that is made so that we can enjoy the day. For the short time that I knew Jon, he made a tremendous impact on me, and I looked forward to the day when he would return to San Antonio for a reunion with his training buddies. In a way, though, he IS always here, for he is in my thoughts daily--and his family is in my prayers daily. Thanks for your service, Jon, and thanks even more for your sacrifice.
-Neil Williams (nwilliams48@hotmail.com) (May 24, 2009)
Leave your own memories & condolences of Sgt. Jonathan Cadavero.
