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View a eulogy for John Michael McHugh, USMA '86, who passed away on May 18, 2010.

John Michael McHugh

West Point, 1986

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Matthew Pawlikowski on May 21, 2010:

On Wednesday 19 May, I was trying to make my way to Kabul for a new assignment. I was delayed a day at Bagram when the enemy attempted their biggest assault on the air base since 2007. I awoke at 0330 to a .50 cal repelling the attack. Consequently, most movement was restricted for the rest of that day and I was unexpectedly "stranded" at Bagram.

Later that afternoon, one of the priest chaplains assigned at Bagram got called to do a "pre-Ramp Ceremony" for 5 soldiers (who had just been killed in an attack in Kabul) before they were moved from Mortuary Affairs to the airfield for further transport. He invited me to accompany him and I was grateful to go along.

Chaplain Bill Lovell of the 82nd read the 23rd Psalm and Fr. Weber provided abbreviated rites of the Church. The honor guard, six to a casket, reverently transferred each flag-draped case to its own HMMWV and, hopping in beside the case, accompanied each fallen hero to the airfield.

I wasn't supposed to be at Bagram that day. I did not yet know that John McHugh was one of the bodies we were blessing. It wasn't until I arrived here at Camp Eggers in Kabul the next day that our classmate Tom Donovan broke the news to me (after celebrating daily Mass together) that John had been one of the casualties.

I knew John back at school and had touched base with him once or twice through the years. He was always gracious to others and loving to his family: a good and Godly man. "Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful" (Psalm 116).

It is a sacred honor to care for our dead. As a chaplain I first pray for them and then stand in salute as they pass. It was a particularly grace-filled event to provide such care for one our classmates - unbeknownst to me at the time I was doing it, but known to God our Father from the beginning of time. Praise God for his providence.

"And when our work is done, our course on earth is run
May it be said, "Well done. Be thou at peace."

Amen.

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