TSO\u2019s article\/eulogy for Jonn of earlier today<\/i><\/a> says most things that need to be said. His article is eloquent, heartfelt, and excellent. It\u2019s a fitting goodbye for Jonn.<\/p>\nStill, I\u2019d like to add my own small bit.<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t know Jonn as well as TSO, and I won\u2019t pretend otherwise. Still, I think I knew him well enough to say the following:<\/p>\n
– he loved his country, serving it for decades;<\/p>\n
– he loved and took care of his family;<\/p>\n
– he loved truth, and detested lies; and<\/p>\n
– he was willing to stand by his convictions, come what may.<\/p>\n
In short, Jonn was a man of honor \u2013 and of courage. Hell, seeing how he handled the nasty curve life threw him with ALS aptly proved the latter.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m proud to have known Jonn. And I\u2019d have been honored to have served alongside him, in peace or in war.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m proud to have considered Jonn a friend. I\u2019ll miss him.<\/p>\n
Longtime TAH readers know of my liking for music, especially of that by the late Warren Zevon. I\u2019m going to take the liberty of using one of Warren\u2019s tunes as a final musical tribute. Jonn wouldn\u2019t have asked for this \u2013 but I\u2019ll do it on his behalf anyway.<\/p>\n