The most patriotic mullet that ever I did see
One of my fondest memories of VJ took place on a Worthington Field Studies trip out West in the summer of 2002. We were celebrating the Fourth of July in Jackson Square, Wyoming, a small city located near Yellowstone national park. VJ had been one of the key players in the so-called "Mullet Revolution" at Westerville South during the first years of the 21st century. While he had already sported a powerful mullet during wrestling season the previous year, the moving landscapes of the Wild West had inspired him to cut another mullet.
VJ, with his characteristic gusto, wouldn't settle for a conventional barbershop hair cut. Instead, he decided that he must have a public cutting. After announcing his intention at a local pizza parlor to a group of British tourists that he had befriended, VJ led a small parade of mullet lovers around the narrow streets of the sleepy town, ceremoniously ending on his knees in a heroic pose in the center of the town square. There he announced to a crowd of well over one hundred curious spectators that he needed a volunteer from the audience to cut his hair. After several moments of confusion, a woman from Idaho stepped forward and accepted the challenge. Someone else provided a pair of safety scissors (yes, the same kind that you used to use to cut red and blue construction paper circles when you were in kindergarten). VJ kneeled proudly with a priceless VJ grin on his face as she sculpted a beautiful dark drape from the back of head. After the work of art was complete, VJ rose dramatically as would a bronze statue being erected and let the astonished crowd admire his new do as it swayed in the gentle summer wind. Several not unattractive girls approached him to request a photograph with him as though he were the Backstreet Boys. Just before the Independence Day fireworks began, VJ led a triumphant victory march through the streets.
The moral of this story is not that VJ had remarkable charm and charisma, a terrific sense of humor, and exceptional creativity (while all of this is doubtlessly true). The moral of this story is that VJ had an incredible gift for making people feel happy and free. He made everyone, even strangers, feel comfortable to be themselves and proud to express themselves, even in unconventional ways. VJ loved that which was uninhibited. For me, this is what made VJ so damn likeable and special and so utterly impossible to replace. And it’s not a coincidence that this story took place on the Fourth of July.
VJ, with his characteristic gusto, wouldn't settle for a conventional barbershop hair cut. Instead, he decided that he must have a public cutting. After announcing his intention at a local pizza parlor to a group of British tourists that he had befriended, VJ led a small parade of mullet lovers around the narrow streets of the sleepy town, ceremoniously ending on his knees in a heroic pose in the center of the town square. There he announced to a crowd of well over one hundred curious spectators that he needed a volunteer from the audience to cut his hair. After several moments of confusion, a woman from Idaho stepped forward and accepted the challenge. Someone else provided a pair of safety scissors (yes, the same kind that you used to use to cut red and blue construction paper circles when you were in kindergarten). VJ kneeled proudly with a priceless VJ grin on his face as she sculpted a beautiful dark drape from the back of head. After the work of art was complete, VJ rose dramatically as would a bronze statue being erected and let the astonished crowd admire his new do as it swayed in the gentle summer wind. Several not unattractive girls approached him to request a photograph with him as though he were the Backstreet Boys. Just before the Independence Day fireworks began, VJ led a triumphant victory march through the streets.
The moral of this story is not that VJ had remarkable charm and charisma, a terrific sense of humor, and exceptional creativity (while all of this is doubtlessly true). The moral of this story is that VJ had an incredible gift for making people feel happy and free. He made everyone, even strangers, feel comfortable to be themselves and proud to express themselves, even in unconventional ways. VJ loved that which was uninhibited. For me, this is what made VJ so damn likeable and special and so utterly impossible to replace. And it’s not a coincidence that this story took place on the Fourth of July.
posted by whedden at 5:09 AM
25 Comments:
As I read the stories in the news, I find it funny how everyone has the same things to say about VJ - how unbelievably funny and generous he was. There really was no one else quite like him. He had a real talent for making people around him relax and have fun. It’s hard not to laugh when The Dispatch has to print the word mullet on the front page. I have a feeling he would be really proud of that. I’ll always remember the time VJ helped us during senior shootout by dumping ice cream on the team that was stalking us outside Jamie’s house. Honestly, who does that? But if you talked to VJ about it, you’d leave wondering why you hadn’t thought of it first. We never thanked him for that. I got a chance to go camping with him this summer when he was home, and he shared some of his stories about Iraq. All I can say is that I've never been more proud of a friend. He was really trying to make a difference over there. What a tragedy to lose him. I will miss him.
What a terrible tragedy...I was shocked when I heard this. I am so utterly proud of him however as he died doing what he truly 100% believed in: freedom and the United States of America. The man was histerical, and I'll always remember him for that and his love of life. Heck I remember pulling back into the woods near Hoover Dam during our senior year and hanging out by a camp fire that suddenly was a raging bond fire by the time VJ was done with it... Some scary stuff then, but man, that was one hell of a great nite living it up with VJ. Or the countless nights hanging out with VJ and Weaner in his condo just shootin' the shit.
I will miss VJ, and now that he can look down and read this from a better place, VJ, "Thanks buddy".
I have tried to write this now 5 times and I cannot write anything cohesive. Maybe that’s a reflection on my writing ability, or it just may be, because VJ was anything but conventional.
It’s hard to realize and to put into perspective the loss of a friend. I still expect to see him with some crazy new invention or idea in the next few months.
A few months ago we all went camping in hocking hills. While there VJ shared, not only stories of Iraq and Europe, but stories about the man the was VJ. I had never seen him so open, so free and so full of life. While on that trip, he refused to let anyone pay for anything, covering the bill for all 5 people. My point is this (although poorly stated), VJ figured out life. In his short time, he realized what life was about, and how to live it. No fear and with love. I will not forget that, and I will not forget what I feel today.
There are far too many stories to share right now, and the words seem to be leaving me. But rest assured, I will get them in here because they deserve to have the place in history and in the hearts of loved ones.
Its hard to know where to start...
As someone who hadnt talked to or heard from VJ in a long time I almost feel sorry I had let the friendship be one that drifted into a relationship that was. Here are a few of the found memories I have of VJ and his charasmatic being...
The first day I walked out onto the wrestling mats at westerville south I was greeted by a six foot something almost lanky looking individual with a clever grin on his face like he knew something I didnt yet. As the wistle blew to start performing drills little did I know that this ear to ear grin of a human was going to be my drilling partner for the rest of my short wrestling career. This is really the strongest memory I have of VJ; rolling around on the mats of the westerville south wrestling room. No matter what we were doing or what was going on in practice VJ always had an unconventional way of looking at the situation and an attitude that made anything we were doing almost bearable. From the random laughing while being thrown around the the sudden spark in his eye that said, "I mean business" VJ always gave 110 percent. Not only one the mats; yet, more importantly, in life.
There are so many things about VJ that come to mind and that I want to share as I keep typing; yet, I feel as though Im rambling. I will continue to update and post my memories of such a great man and friend that I once had and am sorry I let go before I should have. Thank you VJ and I know you are in a good place...
I only had the pleasure of being around V.J. a couple of times, but from my experiences, I found him to be an extremely lovable kid. The memory that sticks out in my mind is when I first met him. Wes, V.J., and I decided to go fishing. After quite some time of catching absolutely nothing, V.J. decided to pick up a frog and then decided it would be a good idea to put it in his pocket and take it with him to wherever we were going. As we left to our destination, Wes drove, I sat in the passenger seat, and V.J. sat in the back. Mind you, this is the first time I had met V.J. That being said, he had the courage and wonderful humor to repeatedly slap me in the back of the head with his recently captured frog. It was clearly one of those events that was so absolutely outrageous and ridiculous that getting mad was not an option. I was absolutely stunned and the three of us couldn't stop laughing. It left quite an impression on me and was clearly one of the most memorable comedic experiences in my life. Though I didn't have a great number of opportunities to be around V.J., I'm thankful for the ones that I did have. Thanks for serving our country V.J., I know you'll be missed and I'm sure you're in a better place.
I will always remember VJ as an incredibly spontaneous and selfless individual. He was always your friend, he always cared about those around him, and was always willing to help you out. Some of my best memories are from high school when a night could go from dull to bizarre in a matter of seconds. The potato cannons, the randomness, the summer nights just being kids in high school...So many great memories...
I also share the pride expressed by the old crew on this page. It was awesome to catch up with him a few months back and see him so happy and content with life.
VJ made such an impact on all of us. I am thankful and honored to have known him.
As cliche as it is, VJ was basically the big brother I never had. I met the Pomantes when I was maybe 5 or 6, when I found out that they had a pool (I grew up down the street). Because I loved to swim, I decided then that his sister Amy and I should be best friends, and VJ came with the package.
All throughout those growing-up years, there was much fighting, wrestling, name-calling, tickling, punching -- like I said, he was like a brother. At my wedding this summer, I heard someone call out "Hey, Stinky!" from behind me. I knew immediately that it was VJ. He always referred to me as "Stinky," and I called him "Ugly." (This was, of course, because I could take a shower and my smell went away, but his face was stuck like that forever.) How strange that an insult could feel like such an expression of affection, but that's how it's always been.
More than any of the horseplay that went on when we were young, however, what I remember most is the extreme warmth that VJ had -- his compassion; his protective attitude towards those smaller, weaker, or in a less-than-advantagious situation; his ability to tenderly comfort; his willingness to stick up for anyone who needed him to. He had an ability to make anyone laugh, feel comfortable, and feel accepted.
Though I witnessed many a fight between Amy and VJ, anytime I spoke with him about her, he expressed his pride and his admiration for the woman she was becoming, and no matter what trivial argument had just taken place, he still expressed that love. He was a big enough man, even in high school, to look past the present moment and acknowledge the truth.
It's been really great to read everybody's thoughts. Thanks for that.
Many times when a person passes away, their past gets rewritten to highlight only the positive. With VJ, no revisions are necessary. He lived up to every kind word anyone can say about him. It is a blessing to have known such a fun and giving spirit. He was every bit as great as we remember him, and possibly even more so.
I was "lucky" enough to row with VJ for a year. To be honest, he always said the wrong thing at the wrong time. VJ and I didn't get along much, but I'll always remember him coming over to my house, opening the refrigerator and saying "Mrs. McVay, can I have this?" and not even five minutes later, "Mrs. McVay, what about this? May I eat this too?" VJ had a knack for cleaning the leftovers out of the McVay refrigerator, and as frustrated as he made me I will never forget his unfailing ability to make me laugh when I least expected it.
Two years following our graduation, I ran into VJ at yet another Westerville Crew "reunion" and made amends. He was truly growing into a wonderful man. His ability to offer humor and a positive spin when no one else could was, is, such a treasure. I am heartbroken that the world has lost such a promising young man, and hope only that we can learn from his life and what seemed to be such a hopeful, strong future.
Goodbye VJ, we'll see you soon.
As for everyone else, I could never express how much you all mean to me and the person I have become. I think we forget to tell those close, or not so close to us, that no matter our relationship, there is always some sort of impact on the other. All of you were a part of my life, and I will love you for that. When I hear about what amazing feats everyone is up to, I can't help but smile. The wildcats are sure growing up to be amazing people, and while I was never close enough with you guys to keep a relationship going through college, I want you to know that I still "facebook stalk" (creepy, I know) just to see how everyone is doing. So don't let words go untold simply because you're afraid of how someone will react. Keep growing, keep going, and keep loving. Stay strong and keep a smile- it's what VJ would have wanted. I love you all.
The thing I will never forget about VJ is how he would get the most random ideas and just do them. Nobody had to egg him on, he just did what he felt. It is an admirable quality, and it leads to a lot of fun memories.
I remember one time that Jessica Grover, Andrew Rose, VJ, and I walked to Bruegger's Bagels after school, and VJ just straight up licked the side of Jessica's and my face. I'm not talking like a little tiny bit. No...the entire side of our faces. When asked "WHY?" he said, "Oh I don't know...I just felt like it". I guess you can't really argue with that!
And yet another time at lunch in WS he strung a spaghetti noodle through his mouth and out his nose. Disgusting, I know. But it was a riot, and a lunch period I've never forgotten!
VJ has positively impacted so many people's lives. He lived each moment of his life with a spirit of vigor and excitement. The lives of people he came in contact with were never left unchanged. He had a heart of gold and is a friend people will never forget. I am blessed to be able to share in the memory of a great man.
VJ was my best friend's best friend. Through Micah, I got to know the true awesomeness that was VJ Pomante. He was one of the most honest, hilarious, and wonderful people I have ever had the pleasure to know.
VJ, you were a part of the best night I think I have ever had. A bunch of us camped out on my friends property off Alum Creek. We stayed up all night, cooking ramen on a camp stove, smoking cigars, laughing and laughing and laughing. We sat up and talked for hours, really insightful wonderful hours, until late (or early, depending on how you look at it) when we all tried to go to bed in our respective tents. We couldn't sleep. We talked back and forth through the tents, ran around some more, had one of the most quotable moments in our group of friends history, and watched the sun come up together. The night was wonderful on so many levels, but right before we all left for college I really got to see how far we had all come from being immature freshman, and how far we had to go.
It was just one of those nights frozen in time that I will always remember, and VJ was a big part of it-his smile will always light up my memories.
Liz and I were talking, and we decided rest in peace does you no justice-Raise hell in heaven VJ!I will think about you often and miss you always secret neighbor!
Dear VJ,
It's been awhile since we talked, but I thought we were long overdue for some nostalgic looks at our past. There are times when I think back to my New Year's party for 2006, and still laugh about the fact you invited Dave Weaner to it. But I guess we couldn't bring in New Year's properly without you and Dave setting of fireworks in front of my parents house. The best part was the next morning when you matter of factly told my mom that you needed to hang out, because you were still drunk, and she laughed and repeatedly tried to offer you coffee. Then we sat in the kitchen, ate french toast, and talked for a few hours about your life in the army. You were so proud of what you were doing and I was too. You were also really honest with me about the dangers that you faced in Iraq, and I appreciate the fact you didn't sugar coat it for me.
I also share that fond memory with Aileen about camping out at Bill and Molly's right before we went to college and you went to the basic training. You know what? I smoked my first cigar with you that night. I had no idea what I was doing and you and Micah showed me how to puff properly. I'm glad that the last one I smoked was with you at New Years. Bill and Molly's was also the first time I had been drunk too, and I'm thankful that you helped me back to my feet at least one of the many times I fell that night.
Oh man, and then there's our days of rowing. Charlie was right, your spandex left NOTHING to the imagination. What about that time you ambushed me when I was leaving practice one day, and mooned the driver's side window of my car? I hope you know I was only pretending to be mad. I actually thought it was pretty damn funny, because not a lot of people have the courage to show off their toush at such close range. You were always one of the best people to hang out with at regattas, and you knew when to work. After every race you held the boat steady as you carried it up, but I knew you were exhausted, because you always gave every race, hell every practice 110%.
I really should thank you for a lot of things too. You have always been a good friend to everyone, and it was a relief to know that you never expected anything except friendship. There are some people who become friends with others because they are pretty or smart, but you always appreciated people for who they were. It was also amazing to me that you always showed genuine interest in all the things going on in my life, even the boring stuff. I am grateful to you for always listening to what I had to say and answering my questions about your work as honestly as you could.
Thanks for always making me laugh too. It was always like you had some secret power to make others smile, even when you were supposed to be discussing something serious. Oh god, and the mullet. I know that's probably everyone's favorite memory, but I remember telling you that I didn't think you would do it. Then lo and behold you showed up at Masek's sporting a rockin' mullet, and I had to ask myself why I had ever doubted you in the first place. (Just so you know, I haven't seen one that good in a long time.)
This might seem a little weird but I want to thank you for one more thing, and that's for just being you. Sometimes I have a hard time understanding how you were always able to live your life exactly the way you wanted without caring about the things that other people thought or said about you. I truly haven't met another person who could do that. I know that I can't be like that,even now at college, but you have always been the epitome of the old advice "be yourself." I'm glad you never changed your personality, what you liked, and what you believed in to please someone else.
I'm not going to lie to you. The past few days have been pretty rough. I mean, there are not a lot of people who can make people smile and laugh the way you could, and I am of the opinion that we need all those people we can get. The world is a pretty sad place right now, especially now that you are not in it. I feel better knowing, however, that where you are now you are making the most of it and making everyone laugh until their sides hurt.
VJ, I'm going to miss you a lot, but I want you to know that everyone is so proud of you. I also agree with Aileen that you are not peaceful enough for an RIP. I don't think that you were ever peaceful except when you were sound asleep. In fact, you were always out doing something whether it was frisbee golf, camping, or at the shooting range with Micah and Wes. I never once called your house and heard you say that you were just "Laying around, watching tv." You never wasted one minute of your life. I guess I should end it here since this is getting long. However, I think it is fitting to repeat the well stated words of Aileen, raise hell in heaven for me VJ. I'm thinking of you always, and you will never be forgotten.
Love,
Rachel
Jamie Cryan called me during my prep period on Friday and told me the sad news. I was making copies of my students' weekend homework. They are fourth graders living in the South Bronx, many of whom have already, at the age of ten, experienced loss personally.
I closed my cell phone. I walked out of the copy room and washed my face in the bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror. Myself. Me. I am alive.
I went back upstairs to my classroom and Nicole is sitting there writing. As soon as she sees me she says, Mr. Kraft, come sign this.
"Come sign this?" I thought. Sign?
I go over to her and she has a big X next to a line underneath what she has written. The teacher who covered my classroom while I was copying had read them a story about people with magic powers. Then she had sent them back to their seats to write about what their special power would be. Nicole had written, 'If I had a magic power I would bring people back to life. If anyone in my family died I would be able to bring them back to life. If my cat died I would bring her back to life."
VJ was curious. More curious than anyone I had ever met. He had no judgment toward the things that his curiousity had led him to. He observed, he witnessed, he spoke and listened. He did all this to take in the world and absorb new things.
These are signs of a traveler, and adventurer. VJ was thirsty, but he also appreciated the rituals in his life. Some adventurers leave behind the beautiful things that they build just for the novelty of a new thing. But VJ respected permanence. Permanence has such power. It has a gravitational pull. When I would see VJ after not seeing him for several months, he would talk of his newest interests, which always intrigued me. He would also remind me of things past.
In VJ's memory, we must pursue new things without judgment, but only in balance with remembering things past.
I still cant believe that this happened to him. when i found out i immediatly just start to think about some of the things that he did that are just hilarious. I remember knowing him from elementary school all the way until i graduated. He was one of the guys on the wrestling team that everyone thought was hilarious, especially when he brought the infamous "rambone" one day, the 9 pound dildo, its amazing how much fun that we had with that thing over the season, lol. He was also a great guy to know, when i started wrestling and didn't have any equiptment the first day, he was the first to offer me a pair of extra shoes that he had, and we had lockers next to each other for the whole season.... His mom is great too, she used to have the team over for dinner and cook for all of us, its a tragedy that this has happened to all of us but a special prayer definatly goes out to his immediate family because they lost someone special. Although we all have lost someone, i am proud to say what he did for the rest of us when he was over there. while we were persuing careers and going to college, he was overseas fighting for what we all believe in. That takes the most courage out of anything someone can do and i'm proud to have known him and for what he sacrificed for the rest of us. I miss u, and thanks for the sacrifices you have made for the rest of us.
I didn't know VJ as well as any of you. I met him at one of Rachel's parties, and he asked me for my phone number. I was always the shy type, and from what I had seen that night, VJ was the complete opposite. I was so nervous about the fact I gave this strange, crazy guy that I had just met my phone number that I had to pull Rachel aside and ask her if I had just done something stupid. She assured me, VJ was a great guy and I had nothing to worry about.
She was right. VJ and I talked on the phone a couple times and only had one "date," which was basically just us hanging out and watching a movie. And while I don't regret that it didn't turn into anything because I was way too shy for his amazingly outgoing personality, I still wish I had gotten to see more of VJ as a friend. Reading all of his hilarious stories and the dedication he had to his country, I find it impossible not to want to cry and laugh at the same time. There is no doubt he will be missed.
~Emily
im not sure what i can say that will express how i feel. this came as such a shock to me. pomantes and all VJs friends and family are all in my prayers. ill never forget this memory of him... (he was so funnny) he put crickets in his backpack and somehow managed to get most of the freshman (when we were seniors) into this doorway and then lock them in it. of course he was the brave one and locked himself n there as well. he opened his backpack n let the crickets loose on everyone in there haha and videotaped it all. ill never forget that! he was such a good guy and always made me laugh. VIP man we're all so proud of you and so lucky to have known you.
V.J. will always be "Sparky" to me. While in grade school, he would hang out at our house in Old Westerville. One afternoon, I walked into my son Zach's room just in time to see V.J. sticking both ends of a wire into an electrical outlet. Thank goodness for rubber coating! V.J. wasn't hurt, but it blew out the electricity in half the house. I remember thinking, "that boy is missing the don't do that gene." You couldn't help but love him. He was a charmer, even then. The Sparky moniker was solidified when during Zach's graduation party V.J. showed up with some professional grade fireworks. When I told him he could set them off, Amy gave me a worried look and said, "you know, we don't usually encourage this sort of thing." It was so funny.
I thank God that I got to see V.J. before he left for IRAQ. What is so hard is that he totally had me convinced he was going to be fine. He seemed so confident... not the lease bit apprehensive. He may have been worried, but he wasn't going to let me be.
I will miss him. My heart goes out to his mom and dad.
Here's the link to the Columbus Dispatch obituary. It contains info on the visitation and funeral times and locations for Friday and Saturday. It also has the names and contact information for organizations that VJ valued (for donations).
Obituary
I was a substitute teacher in Westerville in 1999-2000, while I was getting my Ohio teaching license. I remember VJ so well. I was in for the 8th grade Science teacher (I think he missed the end of the school year because his daughter was qualifying for the Olympics) and I had the absolute pleasure of reading his Science final exam to him. I remember how he not only answered every question correctly, but explained WHY these were the correct answers! I'm afraid I don't remember many students from that time but I do remember what an extraordinary young man he was...how funny and how wonderfully easy he was to talk to. What a heartbreaking loss for his family.
A tribute to VJ in the Columbus Dispatch: http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/12/17/20061217-A1-03.html
even after seeing his casket i still cant believe this happened and i cant get my mind around him not being here. my thoughts and prayers are with his phenominal family.
when i first moved to westerville in 8th grade vj was the first person i became friends with. we were completely inseperable for the next couple of years and our time consisted of laughing about absolutely everything, swimming, and going to movies. the one distant memory i have was when we saw patch adams and of course vj had to get 3 bags of candy. he was trying to get gummy bears to stick to the movie screen. i have to admit, i was a little embarassed until he started laughing so hard about this one throw and in the process dropped the entire bag of skittles on the floor,of course it not being the stadium seating, all of the hundreds of skittles rolled down the length of the theater, hitting peoples shoes, smacking off of chairs and making one of the loudest sounds im sure candy rolling down the floor could have. everyone on our side of the theater turned around to look at us and we just lost it. we were laughing so hard that vj chocked on a gummy bear and threw it up. of course, we left the movie early and ended up sitting at the otterbein cemetery and talking. i remember at the time vj loved the song 'starry starry night' about vincent van goghs life. he use to lay on the grass and sing:
"for they could not love you, but still your love was true, and when no hope was left in sight, on that starry starry night you took your life as lovers often do,but i could have told you, vincent,this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you."
for some reason that song was important to him and we would sing it constantly while watching the stars.
unfortunately in the later years of highschool we grew apart, not because we didnt care about each other, but just because we hung out with different people. after highschool i saw him probably 3 times when he was on leave. i was friends with a couple of people who did crew with him and we were able to reconnect and i am blessed to say the last time he was home i got to see him again. a bunch of us had gone to pochi, the tea station on campus and vj was there. he ended up talking about everything he was doing. he shared with everyone about his time in germany and it was just awesome seeing him again. his passion for people hadnt changed with age, it had grown stronger. he said had gotten some good advice that was helping him along with his time in iraq and i remember the quote clearly:
"build a man a fire, keep him warm for a night. set a man on fire, keep him warm for the rest of his life."
i will always think about him and just thank God that he blessed me with knowing someone like vj, that had so much laughter, passion and the utmost courage id ever seen in anyone. vj had a depth to him that was amazing and not in alot of people. he didnt look at people the way most of us did. when he looked at you he saw a human being, not status, or anything that could benefit him. it was enough you were a person and he was immediately in love with you. im sure there are things we all wish we could have done and said differently to him but i truly feel it wouldnt have mattered to him if you lost touch, or always had your differences because...he really loved you. he was one of the most sincere, honest and brave men i have ever, and probably will ever be honored to know.
vj, you blessed my life and i thank you for every moment we had. i miss you so much.
I will never forget that tall, goffy man whom we have all come to love. When I first met him, I was so shy...but he never was. He always did whatever he could to get you to be in the awesome mood that he was always in. I wish that I could say something different about him, but what everyone else is saying is so true.
I first met him, and Amy in elementary school, at Whittier...wow, that was a long time ago! From day one he always stuck in my mind, and I always recognized his voice coming down the hall. He never sat still, and always asked questions, and tried to get into everything.
I couldn't believe what a beautiful man he had become, and how strong willed he was. He was one of the few genuine people whom I have ever known...and there aren't many of those people around.
Jennifer called me to let me know about VJ, and I almost thought that it was a dream-I was asleep when she called, so it took me a minute to wake up. It still hasn't completly sunk in that this amazing man, who would do anything for his country is actually gone. I wish that I was able to see him before he was killed, but like most people, we lost touch after highschool.
Finding out that he is gone, makes me realize that tomorrow is promised to no one, and maybe I do take life for granted.
I will always remember VJ, and what he stood for as a person...he lived to make the most of it, and he never let one day pass without doing 1,000 things.
To all of our troops...
...I hope that you all come home safely, and God speed!
We will always remember you VJ, lots of love,
Emily
I had no idea you were such a good writer Wes, you should try pitching some stories to a small magazine or something...especially with your travel experience.
Why doesn't anyone else remember him? He was good. He was special. He's gone and after a few weeks no one else remembered him anymore. Where did all the respect for him go?
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