John Heinmiller

West Point, 2004

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Wes Leisinger on April 26, 2001:

I think as we all sit back and reflect on the life of CDT Jack Heinmiller, we will all see what a wonderful person he was. I was a member of the cadre for Echo Company during CBT this summer. Jack sat at my table in the mess hall as one of the "Fat Boys." There was a bond shared by all of us at the table that still carries on today. Jack was one of the guys that would always do or say something to put a smile on the faces of all, including myself. We dubbed him Gretzky after the hockey legend, but we knew he was carrying out his own legacy. Even after Beast was over and I saw Jack in passing, he would gaze at me with a big grin and say "Once you've had fat, SIR!," our friendly greeting. I would then look back with a huge smile on my face and reply "You never go back, Gretzky!" We'll all have our memories of Jack that will be forever cherished. Although, we all may think he was prematurely taken from us, God inevitably needed him. I think Jack served his purpose in life by inspiring each person that knew him to possess the attributes he owned. Even as a cadre member, I was inspired by the actions of a great person. He had the compassion and strength to carry himself and as many others as he could grab on to. Although he will be missed by all, he will live on in the hearts of everyone that knew him. My sincere condolences go out to Jack's parents, his brothers Joe and Jimmy and sister Sue, and his girlfriend Maria.

admin