John's Eulogy - March 11, 2007

John's father, Robert J. Quinlan, spoke these words at John's memorial Mass:

“We lost John”

With those words, our world was turned upside down. Susan called me on Sunday morning February 18, to tell me John was killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. Those words will echo in my head forever. Sunday will always be our remembrance day of John.

John’s life was a life worth living. We will miss him dearly but we, as a family, will survive this event.

Julie and their daughters could not be here today. Julie is attending the funeral of John’s co-pilot. They will be here this summer when we will have a scheduled Mass in memory of John.

God now has a new co-pilot in John. But I must alert God that within a very short time John may try to become Pilot-In-Command.

Kate and I are so proud of our children’s accomplishments. Sue and John have given us great families including five grandchildren. We will love and nurture them always and forever. But today, let me share with you some things about John which you may or may not know.

He was the grandson of Mary and Bob; son of Kate and me; brother of Sue; husband of Julie; father of Keely, Maddie, and Erin; brother-in-law of Greg; and uncle of Olivia and William, along with 8 other nieces and nephews. He was the friend to so many people both military and civilian that it is impossible to count or acknowledge them all. I wish to thank all of you here today for your friendship with John and for the comfort that friendship brings to our family.

John was a family man in every sense of the word. His devotion to his wife and children was exceptional in every way. He was a devoted Catholic with his family attending weekly Mass and children attending a Catholic School. His religious convictions were part of his everyday life. He had respect for all people regardless of their creed or background.

John was at the front in five wars since 1990. The Gulf Kuwait War, Somalia, Dessert Storm, 2 tours in Iraqi Freedom and 5 tours in Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

He spent 8 years as a US Marine. John was an Avionics Specialist for Harrier jump jets and a Loadmaster for C130 Hercules cargo planes. He will always be a “Devil Dog” to his Marine buddies. “Semper Fi Marines”.

He spent 10 years as U.S. Army Warrant Officer Chinook pilot receiving two promotions ahead of his peers. It won’t surprise all of you to hear that his pilot flight name was “Irish”.

He received 27 military medals. It was impossible for him to wear all of them on his uniform. His highest honor was the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) which is for exceptional heroism and flying skills. He earned it when he safely landed his Chinook helicopter safely last July after it was shot down by an enemy RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade). He saved 25 soldiers. I met three members of his crew in Fort Campbell, Kentucky two weeks ago. They all cried and hugged me and said that they are alive today because of John's actions.

His second crash on Sunday, three weeks ago, which took John’s life along with the lives of seven other soldiers. Fourteen soldiers, however, survived due to John’s landing the helicopter “dirty side down” - meaning on its wheels with no fire. Any rollover would have caused a fuel fire and total loss of its crew and passengers. Thirty eight U.S. Army soldiers are with us today because of John’s courage and technical knowledge.

John is an exceptional military hero in every definition of the word. He was a Professional Warrior. He was never in the rear with the gear, but always at the front lines where the action took place. One his aunts has pointed out to me that John’s zeal in his military duties is also a definition of patriotism.

John’s unit is called “Night Stalkers” because they fly in the night to surprise and defeat the enemy. The motto of John’s unit is “Night Stalkers Don’t Quit”. The Quinlan family’s new motto is “Quinlans Don’t Quit”.

God bless you John and your family. We know that the world is a better place because of your having been here. God’s speed be with you. We will miss you forever! You have our love forever!

New articles

John's picture is on Page A11 of today's (Thu Mar 22nd) Washington Post. Also, there are several new stories posted in the column on the right.

Memorial Mass for John

There will be a memorial Mass for John on Sun Mar 11th at 2PM at St. Elizabeth Church [424 Lincoln Ave] in Avon-by-the-Sea, NJ.

Following the Mass, there will be a reception at the Bradley Beach Fire Department's Company Banquet Hall [725 Rear Main Street] in Bradley Beach, NJ beginning at 3:30PM. Please bring an appetizer, a side dish, or a dessert to share.

Flags in New Jersey at Half-Staff

In New Jersey, the United States Flag and the New Jersey State Flag are being flown at half-staff today, Fri Mar 2nd, in memory of John.