Quoted from Hilsen

A Tribute to My Friend JonD 08/13/2009

Today, August 13, 2009, will never be forgotten because I lost a very dear friend tonight. It is more painful than I remembered a broken heart  to feel. The last time I felt like this was when my mother died. It is like reliving it all over again...sitting at the computer just starring
and crying. The emptiness the feeling of being hollow inside yet not really feeling. The waiting for some one to tell you the phone call was a big bad nasty joke, but no one is going to say that. It's real, it
hurts and I am going to miss this friend very very much.

I wish I had one recorded message so I can hear his voice again. So I can keep it and listen over and over again when I need the storm to be calmed.

He was the calm one. He never got excited and many times he should have according to normal standards of behavior, but he never did.

In mid storm he'd have you laughing, he had that kind of humor that always helped the situation and have you laughing. Oh how I wish you all could have known him...JonD as he was known.

JonD died tonight at...well I don't really remember the time of that horrible phone call, but I think it was around 9:30/10pm CST. He had made it to Indiana, that much I remember during that ugly phone call. It
was something like he went off a ramp into a ravine...and after "the" question and answer "yes", that is really all I remember of the conversation. I just remember thinking of Yvette and the kids and I knew
that they were facing what we never want to hear or face. HOW COULD THIS BE? If this was a joke it WAS NOT FUNNY! NOT FUNNY AT ALL!!!

I had talked to him earlier in the after noon. He was leaving today for a 10 day vacation. Heading out East on his bike. He was a biker. He was a Veteran. He was a father and the soul mate of Yvette. He was
the Regional State Coordinator for the Central Region of the Warriors' Watch Riders and he was my friend. Actually a friend to all that knew him. He just had that kind of personality that every body liked JonD. So this could not be true and I'm really going to be pissed at the one who thought it was a good get even prank!!

Pranks...yes he was a prankster as are many in our N. IL WWR. Some pranks so funny that they are still talked about all over. The picture that was posed of JD and Pebbles was the prank we pulled on him 2 weeks ago on a double mission. There is a story about Pebbles, but it is way too long to tell, but he thought it so funny. He was finally gotten and by 2 women. If I could only tell you all of how we got him and the
things that went on from there. It really tickled him and that made it all worth it. At the 2nd mission of the day, even the cops were in on it. It seems Pebbles needed neck surgery and the cops volunteered the
duct tape. LOL He only found that part out, about the cops in on it. recently while chatting with him on the phone reliving the prank. That really made him laugh to think the cops would help pull off a prank. So, if this call tonight was a get even prank it was not even close to funny...!
But you know what? I'd give anything to have it been a prank. No matter how ugly it sounded the fact of truth was uglier.

Who knew then those would be the last missions together, the last prank, and the last time we'd see him. Who knew???

JonD was a young man, honorably served our country,  has kids, his son serving now in the USAF, and perfect soul mate, Yvette, and now someone is telling you he is gone? It just can't be...no, it just can't be!! Inside you know differently and it makes you angry, confused, hollow, with out feeling yet the tears are flowing over your face as testament to knowing it is true.

You know, he may be gone and with the Lord now, but nobody is ever going to forget JonD. Nobody that ever met him will ever forget him...he was that kind of guy.

So JD, I know where you are as good guys should be. I also know heaven is full of laughter because you are there keeping that humor going. I just wanted to share you with some of my friends and family as a tribute to one hell of a guy, one hell of a warrior, one hell of a good father, one hell of a soul mate to Yvette, one hell of a good human being and one hell of a friend. I want them to know we lost one of the good guys tonight. I want them to know but a piece of who you were. I hope everyone has a JonD friend in their lives because then they are truly blessed.

I promise you we will be there for Yvette and help her as you would want. We will continue the "Missions" and continue to make you proud just as if you were here and the leader you were. We will think about you often and miss you more.

Your ride down here is over now, but I know you'll be riding up there with the wind blowing through your hair, the sun at your back and God at your side. As we say "It's all about the ride for cripes sake" so now we ride for you.

Til vi møtes igjen, hvile frisk meg venn.

Uff

(I forgot to mention he spoke some Norwegian and he spoke it pretty well

Thank you Hilsen for sharing your grief and stories about JonD. We all grieve with you and the family for this tragic loss. Rest In Peace Brother, we will never forget you.