John G. Rossi

West Point, 1983

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Pete Martin on August 22, 2016:

General and Mrs Via; LTG Dave and Robynn Mann; Liz and the entire Rossi Clan; distinguished guests; friends, colleagues and fellow soldiers; Our Dear Friend is at peace! Father Jim, members of the clergy, thank you so much for a beautiful mass! Let me first say simply that John Rossi was as good a friend, soldier, Dad, battle buddy and man as there ever was. Of all the officers with whom I was honored to serve, I hold him in a very special place. He was humble, funny, pragmatic, and selfless. He cared deeply - for people, families and soldiers. He loved his Army and served his country with passion and powerful commitment. He was a joy to watch at work! More importantly, John loved his family; and Liz, you were quietly, humbly and nobly at the center of it all, he loved you deeply and his life was centered with you! We spoke of these things often. You, more than any, made it possible for all to see what this good man brought to the table and brought out in so many of us whose lives he touched. You have been the cornerstone of a remarkable life and Liz, I won't pretend to fully grasp your heart ache and sense of loss, none of us would. Dom, Maria, and Angelina; know that your Dad was a source of inspiration to so many of us, and that you were above all his greatest pride. Little Kylie, Grandpa will always be close by you! Mr. Rossi, Robert, you know that John and I go back before that first Dinner at your place in Florida where I enjoyed far too much of Marie's amazing Egg Plant Parmesan! In all the years since, he recounted to me his pride in being the son of a "New York City Cop." Joan, thank you for being here to support Robert! To all of you, including brother Bobby and sister Donna, our deepest sympathies and warmest offerings of love during a time of great loss. This larger family is here to offer our enduring support and help; thanks to Dave Mann, COL Chad Skaggs, COL Jim and Lisa Payne and so many others, you have seen a bit of this already. It is what we do and who we are. I can tell you this; there are many gifts that John has left us. This is where I choose to focus my brief remarks today, not dwelling upon the anguish of his untimely passing, and our sense of loss. I just realized that I said 'brief'... John! I know you are listening! Folks what he is thinking is "don't believe it, a microphone in the hands of this Irishman is recipe for a long day!" John was a man of passion! Indeed, doing the right thing was a commanding passion and it was his simple formula for doing ones job. There was little margin for interpretation. He never claimed intellectual prowess, used to refer to his class standing at USMA [I leave that commentary to his classmates]. There was just a willingness to work as hard as it took to get the job done right. He eschewed nuance and ambiguity, but had a talent for finding the true black and white in a realm of gray areas. He knew what it meant to take care of soldiers and to build a team that could withstand the rigors of combat and severe conditions. He also took his faith seriously and respected that of others without exception. On the lighter side, he also had a passion for real coffee! Not that "dirty water" most Americans drink but fine espresso. Yes he was a genuine coffee snob. Most of you think it was CSM Will Sotomayor who created Rossi the 'Coffee maniac', BUT, I created Sotomayor the 'coffee Junkie'; So you see, that makes me the 'Coffee Pusher!' It is true! In all of our calls, the second subject covered, right after spouses and kids and grandkids, was a readiness report on each of our espresso machines and the quality of shots we were pulling! I remember discussions about collaborating on opening coffee shops; they broke down when John insisted that the décor would be based upon a NY Mets theme! John Rossi, was gifted at connecting people. This huge Force of will could create an almost cult like following among all ranks. This was a scalable capability too! He did it at all levels up through GO, from a Mud Soldier Competition as a battalion commander that changed the culture of a Patriot battalion into a field-hardy group of warriors able to move with and protect one of the longest most risky land offensive maneuvers of the Iraq War, to a superb role as the Fires Chief for the United States Army. He changed thinking and broke down barriers, bringing people together! He was also pivotal in the success of one of our most hair brained ideas -- the HQ 32d AAMDC 2003 Turkey Bowl Football Team. There we were, the only group 35-50+ years old playing flag football against those a decade and more younger. Chief of Staff Roger Matthews wisely thought we were nuts! [ He was right!] Well John helped field the team and quietly selected positions for everyone, then the unthinkable happened; we won games! Made it to the semi-finals! The PX sold out of BenGay, Motrin and Ace bandages. Never hurt so bad! We ran out of players! The media darlings -- ok one article in post paper, but it was history to us! Yes, it was gloriously ugly and a pyrrhic victory. John was the underlying spirit of that team! That was the case wherever John served. There was, about him, a certain understated sophistication. Despite what he might often lament as his limitations when asked to take on broader missions and tasks, John managed to evolve to fill each succeeding role. He could be placed about anywhere and he would get the job done and done well! In all of that and over all the years, the old Rossi, never quite departed, just evolved to a new level that retained that basic glimmer! John was always true to himself. He retained a genuine humility. It was never about John Rossi, it was always about the team and others, he was never a presumptive sort. Always fit and disciplined, never ostentatious, John was easy to follow. He could reach into the chest of another human being and grasp their heart, show them what they could do while helping them 'belong' to "the team." I will always remember his parting 4 words to me in the fair-well line on the parade field as I departed command of 35th BDE in 2001; 4 little words; "Hell of a team!" As I stand before you today sharing memories, fond and profound, and listening to the speakers who follow me, I know I have something that I will hold the rest of my life. The knowledge that this good man's presence among us touched more lives than we can know, in more good ways than we can count. We are better for his presence among us. I believe that instead of dwelling on '...what was and could have been', and despite the pain of his untimely passing, John's children and so many others who loved him will go on to do wonderful things as they embrace what he has given them. I believe John's legacy is embedded in those he touched, far beyond family and friends but extending throughout the range of soldiers and families he led, the leaders he supported [and who learned from him]. He will remain always among us. John made a difference in Air Defense to be sure, but he also distinguished himself in the eyes of the Army's leaders in even greater capacities. Nothing flashy, just business, just results, just good sense leadership and counsel; just a fine example observed by so many, now followed and emulated both consciously and unconsciously. Reflection upon these truths should fill us with a sense of goodness and a certain gratification at having been a part of a special life that simply ended surprisingly early; but full nonetheless! Dwelling upon 'what could have been and what was' is simply less fulfilling than embracing what we have. We are better as an Army and a nation by his service among us. We are stronger and fuller as comrades and friends through what we carry within, gifted to us by John himself. Much of these gifts will be passed forward to those who follow us. We often say that life in the Army is much like that of a family. We enter young and build a life through hard work and by defeating challenges, doing tough things, working hard with each other, watching out for each other, competing against each other on occasion but also cheering one another's achievements; we support one another in hard times rallying to calls for help both spoken and simply sensed and, in the end, we lay one another to our final rest, all the while knowing that no one is exempt from this last circumstance. It is a full and purposeful life. But when the natural sequence of life is upset, for that moment in time, it is painful, inexplicable, laden with sorrow. Well, we have to go through this now, each in our own way. But if we are kind enough to ourselves, we can and must reflect on all we have gained from this good man's life among us. Our pain is rightly tempered with the gratitude that comes from knowing a great man and wonderful mentor, loving him as a friend, confidant, coach and leader; and loving husband, father and grandfather, son, and brother. We and indeed our country have gained so much through John Rossi's time with us. For this, let us be eternally grateful. I do suspect that he is listening and right about now John is thinking; "Ok, ok guy, time's up, let's move this along now!" OK John! You rest well! We'll catch up soon enough my friend and you were right, this is a "Hell of a team!" And you are one hell of a captain!

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