RIP, SFC Jonn Lilyea (Pinned as first post)
Well, we all end the Land Nav course of life someday, and for Jonn, that day was yesterday. He had a heart attack and passed away at the hospital. All men die, not all men truly live. Jonn did though, Lord knows Jonn did.
Wish I knew something to say to help with the pain, but after a sleepless night and some decidedly non-manly sobbing, I just don’t even know what to say. He was a friend, he was a mentor, and I’ll miss him. From meeting my wife to getting my job to the son I named after Jonn, I pretty much owe him in some part for everything I have, and it’s not a debt I take lightly. (Somewhat humorously, my last actual conversation with Jonn was about how his namesake, Ransom Jonn Seavey is a fat happy kid who just plays….until Moana comes on and then dude sits there all starry eyed. I postulated that giving him the name must have made him love what Jonn always called lovingly the “Little Brown Women.”)
As twisted as it is, I’ll never forget the exact moment that Jonn and I bonded. I was blogging at The Sniper, and he had this enterprise going, but the old schoolers will remember that if we got 10 comments back then than the post was on fire. But “Army Sergeant” invited the two of us to Winter Soldier, and although I *internet knew* Jonn, I didn’t *really* know him. We got to the hearings and the IVAW people segregated us from everyone else and gave us full time minders that literally read our posts as they went up. We were both almost at the bailing point when one guy got up and told some asinine story about how they blew up an old lady with a Mk 19, even though she was bringing them groceries. The story was so preposterous on the face of it that Jonn and I started guffawing. Here we were in a room full of dirty old 60’s hippies who were crying and Jonn and I were laughing so hard we started crying too.
I’m not going to go through his whole bio, you guys know it probably as well or better than I do. He was a hero in every sense of the word, but the most amazing thing was that dude was harder than iron, but he had a soft spot, which was forgiving but just as no-nonsense. He didn’t care what anyone did in the military but was grateful for that service, and never valued his own service higher than anyone else’s. The way he became the IVAW whisperer and helped some of those guys out was the epitome of what the brotherhood of veterans was all about. Sure, he’d give them no end of shit, but if they needed help Jonn would drop whatever he was doing and see that they got that help.
Nothing has been locked down as far as a service. We know he wanted to be buried in his uniform in Arlington, a place I’ve been to many times with him. As things become clearer I’ll let you guys know what’s up. Ditto the blog, we’ll talk about that after we’re done grieving.
If you are a person of faith, I’d ask you to pray for Jonn’s family during this time of profound mourning. If you are a warrior, drink to our friend as he makes his way to Valhalla. They’ll probably make him the sergeant at arms there so he can toss out the phonies that show up uninvited with ludicrous stories of Top Secret derring-do.
As I sat there last night remembering all the times I’d spent with Jonn I thought of Invictus, which fits Jonn to a T.
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
RIP buddy. We love you.
Category: Arlington National Cemetary, We Remember
TSO,
when you can could you post Info on services and burial please as well as wishes of the family. I never met him in person but he would almost always not reply to my 3 am ramblings 🙂 . I considered him a mentor for retirement as well as an example of how a soldier should act after retirement.
Shocked.
Rest in peace.
Godspeed SFC, my thoughts and prayers are with your family.
OMG. NO!
Very sad news. Rest in peace Sir!
Awful news. My deepest condolences to Jonn’s family and to you TSO. I never met Jonn or any of the crew here, but, every day I start my day off by reading the latest entries. I only knew Jonn from his blog, but I he reminded me of my platoon sergeants when I was a young platton leader, hard as nails, but a damn fine teacher/mentor. RIP SFC Lilyea, you are already missed.
Sergeant First Class (Retired) Jonn Lilyea was our partner in the United States.
From the moment SVC first contacted him, he became our friend and mentor and, he willingly guided a fledging SVC through the many minefields of establishing a “stolen valour” group. Jonn and company provided us with solid research that allowed us to expose Canadian posers, fakes and embellisher who made fraudulent US military claims.
He warned us of detractors who would attack us by any means at their disposal to shut us down. He provided us with a shopping list of excuses that posers, fakes and embellishers would use to justify their medallic fuckery™. Remarkably, the bogus excuses are identical on both sides of the border…
Jonn and our friends at TAH were major contributors in SVC successfully exposing individuals who claimed US military service. That long list includes Wave Rayer, Peter Toth, Jumper Bob Collins, Peter Pasanen, Ashley Zednee, Dennis Surrendi, Gerry Morgan, Earl Woolery III, Arnold LePotvin, Robert Cooper, Curt Rlush, James Wellheiser and Robert N White. SFC Jonn Lilyea figured prominently in exposing them as liars, cheats and valour thieves!
We have given fair warning to the posers, fakes and embellishers who tell American fairy tales, they will not be getting a pass now that Jonn has passed on.
The communications pathways between SVC and TAH are well established and we will continue our cross border collaboration.
In fact, we’ll dedicate our cross border activities to the memory of SFC Lilyea, a man who was relentless in the hunt of those who would stand in the blood of wounded and fallen.
Rest In Peace Jonn
Entre Amis
Much respect brothers, thank you.
Well said, keep up the good work
I could not post anything any where near close to your words except to add the web address for your organization.
You can count on me and many others to become regular viewers and supporters of your organization.
Thank you for what you do, your kind words to Jonn and his family and to all those in Canada that actually work for the Valor that those clowns steal the blood sweat and tears from.
I served with two contingents of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Line Infantry during Jack Frost, 1975 & 76.
It was an honor to serve…
Oops…
http://www.stolenvalour.ca/
Well said. Thank you.
This is very sad news… I only knew Jonn from TAH, an email or two, and through the bond of military service.
I’m typing this from my office listening to Elvis on Pandora radio and the song “I’ll Remember You” just came on. Very fitting, many, many people will be remembering you for your service, support, contributions, and efforts in setting the record straight about military service, patriotism, and our great country.
I for one will miss your sense of humor and down to earth “calling it like it is” prose.
In tribute Jonn’s fight and victory, I’d like to share one of my favorite poems, “In Flanders Fields” written by John McCrae while serving in WWI:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place, and in the sky,
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead; short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe!
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high!
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Hopefully, those of us who remain behind will be able to take up our “quarrel with the foe” as well as you have…
God speed Jonn, you and and your family are in my thoughts and prayer.
I’m deeply saddened to hear of Jonn’s passing. He welcomed me here many years ago and made me feel like I was among friends even though I am just a Brat. Godspeed.
Jonn, R.I.P. and thanks for fighting the good fight in this life. God bless you and your family.
GFDI. I am beyond words. Let me wish peace to his family and let me say THANKS!! It was Winter Soldier blogging that got me HERE. And I have loved every minute of it. TSO, if anyone had the right words, you are the man. I grieve with you, his family and know there was no better “brother”.
RIP, I will have a Saranac and toast you…Say hello to Martin for me. Spiritual Warfare on. <3
Sucks…. my sympathies. RIP!
I don’t have any words. We will miss you, Platoon Sergeant; see you on the other side.
R.I.P. Brother.
You left us way too early…but at the appropriate time in God’s plan.
See you on Fiddler’s Green.
Blue skies, SFC Lilyea. Meet you at the ORP in the sky.
Stunned… shocked… sad.
Haven’t felt this way since I lost my mother last year.
Jonn, you will be missed.
My condolences to the Lilyea family and friends, and all of us here at TAH.
Godspeed my friend. Thank you – you knew what for.
I hope there is a contingency plan to keep the site up or all the posers exposed here will slither out from under the rocks if this site goes dark.
I would not have wanted to piss Jonn off when he was a platoon daddy. Try not to snap to parade rest while watching this.
RIP
Met Jonn several times. The wife and I visited him at his home once. He even allowed me to babble here for some curious reason.
Dunno if I’ll be able to make it to his formal funeral, etc so I will quietly rendor a Hand Salute to the west as the sun sets this evening knowing he will return it.
My condolences to Jonn’s family and friends, and to the TAH community. This is such a shock.
I hope to meet you when I cross over, Jonn.
Rest In Peace.
Terrible news, came in from working in the garage to see who crowed “First” and saw this. Our prayers for you and yours, Jonn. Guess we’ll finally meet when I hit Arlington next.
This is heartbreaking. I found TAH while convalescing after being wounded I. Afghanistan. Though he wouldn’t know it, though his work, Jonn helped me deal with one of the most difficult times in my Army career.
My prayers to his family, and my thanks, admiration, and respect to my elder brother in arms.
RIP, Jonn.
RIP Jonn Lilyea, you were a man of honor and conviction, a great friend, mentor, and one of the bravest men to ever earn my respect. You will be sorely missed brother.
In times like these, nothing anyone can say or write seems adequate.
RIP Jonn.
I was notified early today.
To sad to comment.
I will be writing all day and tomorrow for guest post Sat or Sun.
That is all.
MCPO OUT!
I don’t comment a whole lot on this blog, once in a great big while, but this is the first thing I read every morning. I will miss seeing Jonn’s byline. The sting of his wit went well with my coffee every morning. R.I.P. , SFC Lilyea.
Welcome home, Jonn
Damn sorry to see him pass. His was a thankless self-appointed task of helping to shine a hard light on those who claimed unearned military service.
I hope TAH will continue as an active web site.
…… no …….
Goodbye. You are missed.
The 1st Marine Division Cemetery on Guadalcanal during the ugly days of WWII had a monument patched together from what was at hand
The inscription read
When he goes to Heaven
To St Peter he will tell
Another Marine Reporting Sir
I’ve served my time in hell
While Jonn was a soldier the sentiment sort of fits.
RIP SFC
My condolences to Jonn’s family. Rest well Jonn.
An honest man here lies at rest,
the friend of man
the friend of truth
the friend of age and guide of youth.
Few hearts like his with virtue warmed,
few heads with knowledge so informed.
If there’s another world, he lives in bliss.
If there is none, he made the best of this.
Burns
I’m sorry to hear of his passing. Please accept my condolences and thanks for letting me run my mouth in the comments here. And you have been remember in my prayers.
I was so shocked and saddened to see this when I got on this afternoon. SFC Lilyea, may you rest in peace. Thank you for working to weed out the fakers and bringing this blog to us. You will be greatly missed!! My thoughts go out to his family.
OMG! Shocked & saddened! Fair Winds and Following Seas Sir! God has you now…You’re in the arms of our Creator and in the eternity of bliss!
An honest man here lies at rest, the friend of man the friend of truth the friend of age and guide of youth. Few hearts like his with virtue warmed, few heads with knowledge so informed. If there’s another world, he lives in bliss. If there is none, he made the best of this.
God Bless and Keep You, my brother, and may His peace and mercies envelope his family and friends. For all his reputation and online presence, he was always, invariably, polite and kind to a fault in all our conversations, not a small thing at all. A man of honor and loyalty, also not a small thing, and too rare by a large margin. A good man in a hard world is a treasure indeed.
This news feels like a kick in the stomach. I cannot express how much Jonn’s welcome meant to me. I raise a toast to the memory of a true warrior, SFC Jonn Lilyea.
RIP SFC Lilyea! Condolences and prayers to your family.
Further words fail me
An honest man here lies at rest, the friend of man the friend of truth the friend of age and guide of youth. Few hearts like his with virtue warmed, few heads with knowledge so informed. If there’s another world, he lives in bliss. If there is none, he made the best of this.
Burns
Awful news – I am shocked and saddened. RIP Jonn, you leave a legacy of service, honor and integrity. We will miss you.
To his family, both TAH and real, my sincere condolences.
May you Rest in Eternal Peace.
While I never met Jonn in person, I have known him since just after 9/11. His loss hurts.
Rest In Peace Jonn.
Like a kick in the gut. Rest In Peace, Jonn. Your life was a life worth living.
Jonn was a friend
He’ll be missed and the void he leaves won’t be filled.
This was hard news to hear.
Lo, There do I see my Father, and
Lo, there do I see my Mother, and
Lo, There do I see my Brothers and my Sisters and
Lo, There do I see my people back to the begining, and
Lo they do call to me, and bid me take my place among them in the halls of Valhalla,
Where the brave will live forever.
My heart hurts. He will be missed and I pray his family can know how much he is loved.
Rest now
Your nation thanks you
Jonn, I never met you, but your PCS move to Heaven has hit me as hard as losing my Dad. Rest in Peace my brother.
Rest in peace, Sergeant, and as you signed your emails: Welcome Home!