Joe Lusk

West Point, 2001

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jason Barr on March 6, 2005:

Joey, You know what really scares me brother, is that of everyone I know, you were the only one I ever thought could be invincible. I can't say I ever remember a negative thing consume you. Everyone has good days and bad, but somehow, after being so close to you for almost 7 years, I can only recall one bad day. The day you, Mikey and I walked out to Trophy Point late one night, sat and talked for hours. It was the only time I saw you cry. The only time I've ever seen you frustrated. Somehow, that day has always stuck with me because I never saw it again. That night we became brothers. The strength you possessed, the spirit you carried, the joy you never put down, made you truly an individual. The energy you brought to everything you did, and the effort you made on the smallest detail. You never left a guy behind. You made everyone feel important in your life, made everyone part of your circle. You annoyed the crap out of me whenever I was pissed off or upset because you wouldn't let me be. You knew how to cheer a person up, genuinely. It wasn't because you didn't like to be around people when they were upset, it was because you truly cared about your friends, and would never leave a guy alone until he was laughing and had forgotten what was bothering him. You wouldn't let it consume him. I was in on the tackle that tore your knee, felt absolutely horrible, and you joked about it when you were still drugged up after surgery (not that you even remembered the visit!). You missed playing your senior year, and still, stayed with team, coaching, mentoring, charging us with your spirit and drive. You still bounced around the sidelines, yelling and screaming, sharing that energy with the guys on the field. I can remember a hundred times you thought you had re-injured your knee because you just couldn't handle being restrained. And you were stubborn enough to never let it consume you. I believe you went the way you would've wanted, just not at the right time. If you could've crashed that thing into a mountain when you were 95, you would've had a smile on your face. You loved that machine, and I probably have a better understanding of aerodynamics then most undergrad aeronautical engineers do because you never stopped talking about it. I really hope that angels do have wings, or else I know you'll be pissed! This still doesn't seem real to me Joey. I'm sorry all the boys couldn't be together for you and your family at your funeral. Gary, Bri and I made it to the memorial in Kuwait, and Mikey and Bobo made it to Cali, but I know you would've wanted us to be there together. You were always the planner, the motivator, the one that brought us together. Always had to ensure it happened like you wanted it to, and I'm glad you did, because we always had a blast. I promise you that every time the boys get together, it will always be in your honor. It won't be the same without you. This tour here is dedicated to you brother. You wanted that combat badge so badly, you hated the November holiday 'Veterans and Joe Day.' You truly loved your profession, lived by it, and consumed it. I never got the chance to tell you how I felt, but I don't think I had to. You knew. The brotherhood that we all had will live on in your honor. My family is your family. We will never forget you, never disappoint you, and never let you die. A man like you doesn't die, he just moves on to something better. I LUFFFES YOU BROTHER, ALWAYS J

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