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
One soldier came and looked down, and he said out loud, “God damn it.” That’s all he said, and then he walked away. Another one came. He said, “God damn it to hell anyway.” He looked down for a few last moments, and then he turned and left.
Another man came; I think he was an officer. It was hard to tell officers from men in the half light, for all were bearded and grimy dirty. The man looked down into the dead captain’s face, and then he spoke directly to him, as though he were alive. He said: “I’m sorry, old man.”
Then a soldier came and stood beside the officer, and bent over, and he too spoke to his dead captain, not in a whisper but awfully tenderly, and he said:
“I sure am sorry, sir.”
Then the first man squatted down, and he reached down and took the dead hand, and he sat there for a full five minutes, holding the dead hand in his own and looking intently into the dead face, and he never uttered a sound all the time he sat there.
“The Death of Captain Waskow”
Ernie Pyle
Yesterday was my Birthday(71)this is not a present I like. Jonn is not gone For we REMEMBER ! Jonn is standing strong and tall now free of all illness and injury. May God’s Peace be given to his family and kin. Joe
Sad news. Much respect for SFC Lilyea and all he has done. Blessings to his family!!
Yesterday was cloudy all. Yesterday was my 71st Birthday. Jonn’s passing was not found out by me till Today.I think we all lost a good friend and mentor. This a gift I want to give back which is very selfish of me. Jonn is now free of pain,standing strong and tall now. Jonn is not gone till we forget him,NEVER FORGET Joe
A day after first reading the sad news it is still a shock. I first heard of Jonn and TAH back in 2007, when gathering links on the fist Gathering of Eagles for my blog on the other side of the country (California). A few months later, when posting of my eventual move to the DC area, Jonn commented he hopes our paths crossed. After a couple of missed opportunities, our paths did cross several times. It was an honor to know Jonn. TAH was one of those daily must reads during the years I blogged. Thank you Jonn, for your service to our nation in uniform and in the blogosphere, and thank you for your friendship as well. Sending condolences and prayers as well to Jonn’s family during this time.
Still a shocking thing to see that this happened. I’m sure now he is feeling no pain and all is well upstairs, though we all are pained at his loss.
Fair winds & following seas Sergeant. My condolences to the family.
I am truly saddened by this news and I hope his family finds comfort while they grieve the loss of such a fine, and fair, man.
To quote the Hanson Brothers, “You fucked with them coach. You fucked with their MINDS.”
Well done SFC Lilyea, rest easy. We have the watch.
https://www.justanswer.com/military-law/a9xvp-harassed-by-jonn-lilyea-sfc-us-army-retired.html
ALCON,
In contact with TAH HQ executives.
These comments are an amazing tribute. I am taking this all in (reading all) and writing a response to and for Jonn with respect to this moving tribute.
Please share this link and thread … far and wide.
People need to know how Jonn lead, touched and mentored so many.
MCPO
Rest In Peace, Jonn Lilyea.
Patriot.
Warrior.
Mentor.
A man of immense decency, integrity, honor, and courage.
He will be dearly missed…
Jonn, you were taken from us far too soon, would you say “Hi” to Jeff, Danny and Joe for me? *pouring some Famous Grouse and prepping a stogie*
Jonn, I’m one of the many people who found a great little place on the net here. I will miss your posts, your words of wisdom and your sense of humor. Rest easy and we’ll see you in the next world.
RIP Jonn Lilyea. Shit. I found this blog around 06’ about the time it started. My interest would wax and wane over the years but I had my high point arguing in the comments about ten or eleven. I would always check in to see what was going on.
With memorial antics, like the black five farm team, Tso- the gay dog lover, who is just like Hanson but doesn’t post, the crashing of anti war protests, and clashing with votevetters and oath keepers amongst others.
Best wishes to the Lilyea family, see you on the other side.- Cedo Alteram
OK, that actually made me giggle.
Haven’t been able to post because of the legal stuff going on. But that has just about ended now.
Just got the news, shocked to my core even though I knew he had health issues. RIP, John. You left us far too soon.
First Kevin O’Brien (Weaponsman), now John. We’re losing our online best soldiers. Voices are stilled who fought for justice, the well-being of veterans, honor, duty, country.
RIP John. I will remember you as I remember Kevin.
As a VA Volunteer, working in our Hospice, I see death on a regular basis. It never gets easier.
DAMN! I’ve been telling fellow vets about this site that I’ve been on for the last 48 hours and how I feel I’ve lost a friend that I didn’t actually know. What bothers me is will I see him ever. If he accepted Jesus as his Savior I will.
There is no Nordic god. It is derived from those also believe in Allah. It is but through the simple acceptance from Jesus, our Creator who came to this planet to live amongst us in pain and suffering, that we be saved from eternal existence far away from His beauty.
This site is called “This ain’t hell, but I can see it from here”. Yep, we here on this planet can experience that. I know I have. Yet time is only here; eternity does exist.
If eternity exists we are left with but two options; to be with our Creator or not to be outside of His creations.
Jesus said to the thief next to His right dying next to Him on the cross “Today you will be with me”. That means outside of our time we will be instantly in another place.
For me, I choose that not be in hell but in God’s unimaginable Heaven; hopefully with John there. Given his name replete with the John’s in the Bible, I anticipate him meeting me at the gate.
You’ll see him regardless of whether he did this or not.
Let us please neither proselytize nor argue in this Tribute post.
Also, let us please not mention the potential that such is happening.
[…] last, but not least, the Blogosphere lost a great guy with the passing of Jonn Lilyea of This ain’t Hell… […]
Grief is a difficult task. It ages but does not end. It lessens and changes but lingers to remind us of what we have lost. Grief is a passage. A temporary transit but not the destination though we always remember the journey. Grief is not a sign of weakness or a lack of faith. Grief is not possible without the love from which it springs. Grief is the price of loving someone.
Thank you John for enriching my life. My prayers for his family and friends.
RIP Jonn. Prayers for family, friends and followers.
Blue Skies Brother.
Rest in peace SFC Lilyea. My family’s prayers are with yours during this difficult time.
See you on the other side.
I never met you Jonn, we are the same age, served around the same time, and we are brothers from different mothers.
RIP COMMERADE
Rest Well, SFC.
Job Well Done!
Stay in the fight.
RLTW
There are no words to describe the pain of losing someone like SFC Lilyea,who made a difference not only during his military service, but for many years after that.
Of my Brothers in Arms who may not have a degree or have barns full of the straw that is church time, one thing I believe to be true – They each have felt the call to serve and their heart answered with a dedication and energy that no mortal man has right to expect. I believe that on the day we each shall answer for the days we have been given – that the service we felt called and the service we gave even to the point that all else fell away – I believe we will hear those words of Blessing and forgiveness that ALL would give ALL to hear “Welcome home good and faithful servant. While your sacrifice and labors may have gone unnoticed and unappreciated by the world of lesser men, at the Throne you are known and Loved!”
I pray for his family and friends that the Lord who Loves and welcomes John home will grant those who care for him Peace and Love and Comfort as only He can.
MSG Grumpy
Deepest sympathy to the family.
Day is done,
Gone the sun,
From the hills,
From the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
Safely rest,
God is nigh
Go to sleep,
Peaceful sleep,
May the soldier
Or sailor,
God keep.
On the land
Or the deep,
Safe in sleep.
Love, good night,
Must thou go,
When the day,
And the night
Need thee so?
All is well.
Speedeth all
To their rest.
Fades the light;
And afar
Goeth day,
And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well,
Day has gone,
Night is on.
Thanks and praise,
For our days.
‘Neath the sun,
‘Neath the stars,
‘Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.
Rest in peace, good sir.
Welcome home.
Condolences to all. Blessings to the Lilyea family. I will miss Jonn dearly. May the mission carry on.
Prayers for peace for his Family and loved ones. I discovered TAH blog in late 2012 and I can’t imagine being without it between then and now. First thing I check over coffee every morning. It’s like a home away from home after all these years as a civilian. Thank you Jonn for that small slice of you and your time and energy.
We lost a strong clear voice for honesty and integrity. RIP.
I met Jonn when he was ABN-CIB on the old History Channel’s Veterans page. When the HC people killed our site one of the guys started Patriotfiles and Jonn and I, and others moved there. Eventually Jonn started this blog because “I know I can’t get kicked off this one.” Rest in Peace my brother Paratrooper. Here is a huge AIRBORNE SALUTE!
God, he was the absolute BEST on history. I will miss him terribly.
Damn, this is heartbreaking!
I think my first contact with Jonn was on Mark Christianson’s old Paratrooper.net message board (where I think he just posted under the name “Jonn.” Modest and humble he always was.)
He was a man of integrity in a world where that is sorely lacking.
I can’t read all the comments on this post, so I’m sure others have said this but I feel like it should be said again:
Echoing the words of General Patton, we should not be sorry that men like Jonn have died, rather, we should be grateful that they lived.
RIP, Jonn.
RIP Buddy, Always enjoyed your words of wisdom.
You are family.
Cheers,
Cam
I’m very sad to hear this. It seems like I’ve gotten to know John (at least a little) through his website and several emails we exchanged. He always signed off with “Welcome Home”. It’s time for vets who have passed before to now wish him the same.
John and his family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Damn, what a loss. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
As saddened as I am to hear about this news, I recognize how important it is to celebrate the life Jonn Lilyea lived and recognize how he positively impacted so many people.
I wasn’t fortunate to know Jonn in person, but after lurking on TAH since about 2013, over the years I did get to know him through his posts and his comments. I’ve gotten to “know” a lot of you, too. As strange as it may seem, in some way I consider Jonn a friend – as I do the rest of you.
Whenever I did reach out to Jonn via e-mail, he always struck me as a genuine person – and always sent me what I asked for. He could be firm and direct, but I appreciate that style in people.
Through TAH, I found that I had a lot in common with other members, and have always been appreciative of the humor and thoughtful commentary and discussions. Because of Jonn, I found a group of people that kept me (and others) accountable…and laughing. Jonn brought the group together, and I’m fortunate to have known him – even if it was through this blog.
Perhaps like many of you, I believe I am a better person because of him – as I am because of he influence many of you have had on me as well.
I am reminded that we will grieve in our collective loss of him, but am also reminded that Jonn will never really be gone as long as those remember him speak his name.
For the family, I would tell them that Jonn had a bigger family outside the confines of West Virginia, and that we share in their grief with them. I pray the family finds comfort and peace in the days ahead, and that they know there are hundreds of other people who are behind them.
I will miss him terribly.
Rest In Peace, Jonn.
As a non-veteran that works with veterans TAH was one of the first mil-blogs I was turned on to by some of those that I work with.
I had a few private email contacts with Jonn and he was always respectful and funny. He will be missed.
You all have a great community here and I hope that TSO and the rest of the regulars are able to continue to build on Jonn’s legacy.
Respect and Regards,
mattinnc
Damn! Just damn! Jonn, we hardly knew ye. To the tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcJR9y4bLHA ============= While humpin’ the trail so blithe and spry, hurroo, hurroo While humpin’ the trail so blithe and spry, hurroo, hurroo While humpin’ the trail so blithe and spry, A gun in me hand and me canteen dry, A doleful wailing I heard cry, Jonny I wisht I knew ye. With your guns and rum and rum and guns, hurroo, hurroo With your guns and rum and rum and guns, hurroo, hurroo With your guns and rum and rum and guns, The enemy never slew ye Oh your family is near, Yer eyes are so clear Jonny, I wisht I knew ye Where are the eyes that were so wild, hurroo, hurroo Where are the eyes that were so wild, hurroo, hurroo Where are the eyes that were so wild, When your wrath was terribly riled Ye didn’t ske-daddle when service was filed Oh Jonny, I wisht I knew ye Where is the wit with which you wrote, hurroo, hurroo Where is the wit with which you wrote, hurroo, hurroo Where is the wit with which you wrote, It cut to the quick like a punch in the throat Outing fakers when they tried to gloat Oh Jonny, I wisht I knew ye Ye have yer SIGs, ye have yer Colt’s, hurroo, hurroo Ye have yer SIGs, ye have yer Colt’s, hurroo, hurroo Ye have yer SIGs, ye have yer Colt’s, Ye’re an arm’ed, an fearless slayer of dolts They’ll never outrun your thunderbolts Oh Jonny I wisht I knew ye I’m sad to hear the tolling bell, hurroo, hurroo I’m sad to hear the tolling bell, hurroo, hurroo I’m sad to hear the tolling bell, Stealing from us whom we loved well; Yer taken awa’ from This Ain’t Hell Oh Jonny I wisht I knew ye With your guns and rum and rum and guns, hurroo, hurroo With your guns and rum and rum and guns, hurroo, hurroo With your guns and rum and rum and guns, The enemy never slew ye Oh your memory is gold,… Read more »
My favorite song.
As read by Anthony Hopkins, a very solemn tribute.
Do not go gentle into that good night
-Dylan Thomas
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
RIP Jonn
I met Jonn at a Milblogs conf many years ago after following him here. He was an awesome veteran and supporter of our military and veterans. I’m sending my best to his family and friends. Otto
So many people will miss you, Jonn.
I LOVED how Jonn, when talking on the phone with a poser who had called him in hopes of having a posting removed, would go from a calm, reasoning, respectful voice to absolutely batshit crazy, in your face, I’m gonna rip out your lungs in a matter of seconds when they cursed or threatened him. Even then, he was in control of the interaction.
Gonna miss you, Jonn. Oh, and you potential posers, don’t think we won’t continue to be looking for your worthless asses. This is especially true for those of you with the Silver Star with V for valor. Dumbasses. At least do some research.
My favorite was that recorded phonecall with Jarrett Otto Gimbl (JOG) :
JOG: “Are you a Marine?”
JL: “WHAT???”
JOG: “Are you a Marine?”
{wait for it}
JL: “FUCK NO!”
That was an epic beat down!
JL: “Fix that shit!”
On to Valhalla. Rest easy Brother. Most sincere condolences to Jonn`s loved ones.
Jonn was truly a force for good. His commitment to exposing frauds, fakes, and stolen valor thieves helped propel this stolen valor epidemic onto a much larger stage. His tireless efforts, in concert with other websites dedicated to exposing stolen valor, made him a figurehead for the cause. He was relentless, never backed away from a fight, and his extensive work has exposed hundreds of phonies and most likely deterred hundreds- if not thousands- more from making those facebook claims of derring-do or wearing uniforms full of medals and awards that were never earned. He will forever be tied to the community of people who hold valor thieves accountable as one of the greats. I have been following TAH since 2009, and I have enjoyed hearing Jonn tear down frauds, opine on military matters that are borderline stupid and ridiculous, and give his down-to-Earth, Infantry NCO perspective on the world. He will be truly missed.
RIP Jonn.
Until Valhalla, brother.
@TSO,
I sent you an email. Check you spam filters, just in case.