Joe Lusk

West Point, 2001

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Alex Brown on January 31, 2005:

Why Joe? That was the question that kept repeating in my head from the instant I found out. After the hardest weekend of my life so far, spent with Joe's family and friends in his home town, the answer finally came to me. Joe was specifically put on this Earth to make everyone he knew better. He was and still is perfect. To me, the reason he was taken away at such a premature moment was also to make us all better. With his passing I have learned from the way he lived. Seeing everybody come together to support each other it was so evident how much love Joe had to give in his life. Family and friends were the most important things to him. He has made me realize how tight you have to hold on to those that are dear to you, how openly you need to appreciate them, and most of all, how there is no excuse not to just call every now and then, just to say hi. Joe was a huge part of the best days of my life. It was always Joe that was either organizing the big fishing trip, or making sure that everybody had season tickets to the FSU games. He made damn sure that everyone was always having fun. He didn't even have to, you were having fun just because he was around. I'll never forget all the good times buddy. From Doug Brown Tavern, to 225 Westridge; weekends at Florida State, Panama City, or Atlanta; watching he and Jodi grow together, or meeting his friends from home. I could go on and on. Joe, you were a true gift in my life. One Sunday, soon after I met Joe, we were sitting at a beach bar in Panama City. We wrote out a contract on a napkin that ensured we would never be at a loss for a friend. Any time one of us wanted to go out, go to a game, whatever it may be, the other was required to go also if the contract was brought up. This contract was legal and binding, and was used on a few occasions; such as an LL Cool J concert an hour and a half away on a work night...and I thought I was going to study that night. Well I told Joe this weekend that I was still going to hold him to it. Wherever I go, I'll always be able to bring Joe with me. I won't let you miss a thing buddy, I love you, and I'll see you soon. Alex Brown DBT

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