John W. Lewis

West Point, 1989

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Kevin on September 7, 2006:

Dear John, So much has happened to all of us since you left. It is almost hard to keep up with myself, alot of us moving, job titles changing, new addresses, but one thing still stands out the most and that is (We Miss you so Much). I had a Field Meeting with my new state last week and I have a power point presentation showing alot of the times you and I had and the friendship we shared, with the theme being (THE DECISIONS WE MAKE TODAY, CARVE THE LIFE WE LIVE FOREVER). I wish you were there to see it. You taught me so much about who I want to be as a friend, Father and Husband to my family. Shanley and Brie sure do miss you, mainly Shanley, Brie is still pretty young to remember alot about you, only that Uncle John went to heaven. Shanley on the other hand talkes about you almost daily, I so wish you could have seen more clearly the people you meant so much to. I still sit back and dream about the future our families could have shared and I think that is what hurts the most. When I am on the road, which seems to be most of the time these days, the people driving down the road probably think I am crazy because they will look over and see a grown man crying but I will recall the times you would know that I was on the road late and would call me just to keep me awake, and demand that I call you when I was there and safe. I know I am rambling, I am just typing thoughts. I miss you John. Oh, one thing I did want to say, I have set up a program here in Mt Vernon that our friendship inspired me to do. Where I live now is kind of like going back 30 years, of coarse you would probably say you don't have to go back that far, but anyway it is almost segregated, there is a South side and a North side, with a railroad track the literally divides us. And the attitudes are let's just say OLD FASHIONED ON BOTH SIDES. Anyway I have made a pretty good friend that owns his own business and he is a black guy that grew up on the South Side and we started discussing what we could do to get the kids in the community to do some sports or some kind of program together to try and unite the cultures. Of course we are getting some slack from some folks, But amazingly enough we are getting alot of support from both sides and are close to having a weekend kickoff to this program. It was funny how this got started. This guy owns his own detail shop and I get him to do my cars, He saw the picture of you and I at the Poker run that I keep in my truck and then saw your eulogy in the pocket behind my seat and asked me about you, One thing led to another and before you knew it we are making things happen. I often hope you can see these things, and I hope you are proud of me. I love you Brother, I miss you, I wish I could say Give me a call, But ONE FINE DAY it will be when we see each other again.

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