Gerald S. Lewis

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Ross Lewis on March 9, 2012:

I am Ross Lewis, Jerry's younger brother. As of this date, March 9, 2012, I am 68 years old, living in Jacksonville, Florida. 1951 through 1955 were some of the most cherished memories of my life; all because my Big Brother (12 years older) was at West Point. Jerry was my hero! There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about Jerry and the great bond and love we shared as brothers. During the early 50's there was no greater thrill for me than traveling up 9W, seeing the Moth Ball fleet in the Hudson and arriving in Highland Falls to see my brother. What Pride! What Honor! What Greatness could there ever be that would match those visits! Jerry and I had an amazing relationship that was eternal; from those early days till the day he passed away in 2002. There were the Yankee games, the visits to his many houses in Norway, Maryland, West Point, etc. We shared an unparalleled bond which, I believe, was as profound as any in the Lewis family. There was an "unsaid" knowing look which we often shared: "That's My Brother.! An amazing phone call came to me after Jerry passed away. It was from a woman in Philadelphia who briefly dated Jerry while he was a big tall, handsome cadet. I had never met this woman; yet she found me and she had to speak with me. With that, we arranged a lunch in Philadelphia. She spoke about Jerry like no one ever really had: "Handsome, Aloof, Dangerous for a Relationship yet incredibly alluring." So much so, that she never forgot Jerry Lewis. And so the call to me was a must for her! All of what we spoke about could probably be a great short story. But here was a very successful woman (a recognized attorney who had a family) who was compelled to make that call to me. What was most gripping were the two subjects which had to be addressed before we parted: (1) I asked her if she was still in love with Jerry, 50 years later. She never answered. Yet I knew the truth from her silence. (2) She then shared with me that as much as she recognized that Jerry had a great deal of difficulty showing overt love and affection to her, she was consistently drawn to the ever-present love and words which he spoke about his brother, Ross. I was amazed to hear that! Just Amazed! But, for me, it totally validated the privilege and great honor it was and still is to be Jerry's brother. As a footnote to all of this: I have dedicated my life to producing a classic book which honors the men and women who served America in Vietnam. Its purpose is to make a "forever impact" upon the consciousness of our nation with respect to honoring our soldiers during that period. I know that, as a former Army officer myself, I and this project, are really driven by my respect and love for my father Charles (West Point Class of '30) and my brother Jerry (West Point, Class of '55). Thank you Dad! Thank you Jerry! You are forever in my heart. You are forever in my soul!

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