Posted by Chip Braungart on January 31, 2010:

I had the very good fortune to be in H-4 with John as a Plebe and Yearling. He was ALWAYS upbeat and had a great sense of humor. I greatly admired him for the extra work he had to do as a Corps Squad wrestler. After many years out of contact, I saw him on Fox News Channel just after 9/11. He had recently been assigned to command the Army Corps of Engineers District responsible for the recovery efforts in NYC at Ground Zero. I was so proud of how humble and well spoken he was, doing our class and himself very PROUD AND GREAT. I'll never forget his answer to the question, "What had the most impact on you as you observed the ruins there?" To paraphrase John, he said he was awestruck that he saw little more than dust at the site. He'd expected to see at least some evidence of all the furniture, computers, and office equipment that had once filled the Twin Towers. Although he wasn't fighting terrorists in that assignment, his mission was vitally important to the victims of that tragedy and to their loved ones. May John now also rest in peace in the comfort of His heavenly hands. I pray his family will also be comforted by knowing that.

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