Susan, John's sister, asked for this to be posted:
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This Memorial Day we think of you and all who have served. We remember and will never forget.
I saw 2 quotes that I thought were profound on my last visit to Arlington.
"When you get home tell them of us and say... for their tomorrows, we gave our today" - Kohima Epitaph
and this one that so reminded me of you, I laughed...
"It is better to have lived one day as a lion then one thousand days as a sheep"
Lt Col. Klinger, buried at Arlington.
John - we miss you, this really doesn't get an easier, I thought maybe it would. When I think about what happened to you my stomach still does a flip, guess it always will.
I still think of you every day, every hour, every minute.
You were a bad ass & I love you,
Susan
Nightstalkers Don't Quit!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Thoughts on John - One Year Anniversary
A party to celebrate John's life was held on Sun Mar 16th at Vic's in Bradley Beach, following a Mass at St. Elizabeth's. John's father, Robert Quinlan, said these words:
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It’s been a fast tough year. John has been missed by all his family and friends.
In life, John wanted to succeed at all his endeavours. His quest for success in the military put him on a fast and dangerous track. He understood the dangers but wanted to challenge himself and his fellow soldiers to accomplish difficult missions. This he did this for five wars over 18 years. His last mission was his most difficult one.
John joined the military because it had numerous challenging options. He initially chose the Marines and aircraft avionics as his first military profession. He excelled in this field and was the go-to-guy for his contemporaries. He then was a Loadmaster in the Marines for C130 cargo aircraft. This I think gave him the interest in becoming a pilot.
John wanted to serve our country and have a wonderful family. He accomplished both. Julie surprised Kate and I by being here today. His daughters could not be here today as they are in Tennessee. Kate, Sue, Olivia, and I visited Julie, Keely, Maddie, and Erin in February. Overall, they are doing very well and wish to thank all of you who have kept them and us in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult period.
John’s devotion to his own family and extended family and friends has been brought to our attention numerous times through words, letters, emails and pictures. We –his family- have had the distinct honor to learn of John’s deeds and accomplishments well beyond our initial understanding. John would not have shared with us most of these deeds and accomplishments or put a humorous spin on them. He did not want us to worry and he wanted to create the feeling in us that he could handle any situation. We know he did his very best on his last mission.
John was a Senior Pilot and had over 1800 hours of flying time and almost half of that was in combat. John became a helicopter pilot because he wanted to sit in the front seat. He was in charge of the aircraft and responsible for his crew and passengers. John was scheduled last year become a Master Pilot and Flight Leader. Both positions would have put him in the top U.S. Army pilot positions.
I hope you all understand a little more about John. We, as his family, are extremely proud of him and his many accomplishments. As his parents, we could not have asked for a better son. The pride he had for Julie, Keely, Maddie, and Erin was infectious. His sister Susan and her family will miss him forever. John’s death was a difficult loss to all of us.
John left us with many memories. Those memories will keep him alive in all of us. His sense of humor and story telling will allow us to continuously smile when thinking about him.
We wish John well as God’s Co-pilot.
I would like to ask Roger to play “Arlington” as a tribute to John.
-------------------
It’s been a fast tough year. John has been missed by all his family and friends.
In life, John wanted to succeed at all his endeavours. His quest for success in the military put him on a fast and dangerous track. He understood the dangers but wanted to challenge himself and his fellow soldiers to accomplish difficult missions. This he did this for five wars over 18 years. His last mission was his most difficult one.
John joined the military because it had numerous challenging options. He initially chose the Marines and aircraft avionics as his first military profession. He excelled in this field and was the go-to-guy for his contemporaries. He then was a Loadmaster in the Marines for C130 cargo aircraft. This I think gave him the interest in becoming a pilot.
John wanted to serve our country and have a wonderful family. He accomplished both. Julie surprised Kate and I by being here today. His daughters could not be here today as they are in Tennessee. Kate, Sue, Olivia, and I visited Julie, Keely, Maddie, and Erin in February. Overall, they are doing very well and wish to thank all of you who have kept them and us in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult period.
John’s devotion to his own family and extended family and friends has been brought to our attention numerous times through words, letters, emails and pictures. We –his family- have had the distinct honor to learn of John’s deeds and accomplishments well beyond our initial understanding. John would not have shared with us most of these deeds and accomplishments or put a humorous spin on them. He did not want us to worry and he wanted to create the feeling in us that he could handle any situation. We know he did his very best on his last mission.
John was a Senior Pilot and had over 1800 hours of flying time and almost half of that was in combat. John became a helicopter pilot because he wanted to sit in the front seat. He was in charge of the aircraft and responsible for his crew and passengers. John was scheduled last year become a Master Pilot and Flight Leader. Both positions would have put him in the top U.S. Army pilot positions.
I hope you all understand a little more about John. We, as his family, are extremely proud of him and his many accomplishments. As his parents, we could not have asked for a better son. The pride he had for Julie, Keely, Maddie, and Erin was infectious. His sister Susan and her family will miss him forever. John’s death was a difficult loss to all of us.
John left us with many memories. Those memories will keep him alive in all of us. His sense of humor and story telling will allow us to continuously smile when thinking about him.
We wish John well as God’s Co-pilot.
I would like to ask Roger to play “Arlington” as a tribute to John.
Monday, February 18, 2008
One Year Today
Today marks one year since John's death. There will be a ceremony at Fort Campbell today for all those killed in the crash. John's parents and sister will be there with Julie and the girls. Please share your thoughts and prayers.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Maryland Governor's Patriot Medal
On Tuesday December 18th, 2007 - John was awarded the Governor's Patriot Medal from the State of Maryland. There were about 25 awardees, including Maryland police officers, firefighters, first responders, and military men and women who died in the line of duty. The presentation was made at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, and the Governor and Lt. Governor were among those who spoke movingly in tribute of those honored.
John's parents were there, along with John's Aunt Linda and Uncle John and John's cousin David. Here are pictures of the front and back of the medal, along with a picture of everyone after the medal presentation. Here is a picture of the medals before they were presented; and a picture during the benediction during the service. More official photos can be found here.
After the service, John's parents and Aunt & Uncle visited John's grave at Arlington. Here is a picture of the wreaths, and a another picture of the medal.
John's parents also recently received a Gold Star Service Banner and fly it at their home.
John's parents were there, along with John's Aunt Linda and Uncle John and John's cousin David. Here are pictures of the front and back of the medal, along with a picture of everyone after the medal presentation. Here is a picture of the medals before they were presented; and a picture during the benediction during the service. More official photos can be found here.
After the service, John's parents and Aunt & Uncle visited John's grave at Arlington. Here is a picture of the wreaths, and a another picture of the medal.
John's parents also recently received a Gold Star Service Banner and fly it at their home.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Veterans Day 2007
Veterans Day 2007
John Andrew Quinlan
(Reflections from his mom)
One of the very last conversations John and I engaged in had to do with a bill that sat on Gov. Corzine’s desk. This was a small bill embedded inside a greater piece of political nonsense. John was rather hot to trot about this small bill aimed at dropping the mandatory teaching of Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and Columbus Day in the public schools. Both of us fired letters off to Corzine expressing our strong feelings about this. John left for Afghanistan and my last letter to him was to let him know the bill did not pass! I am not sure he read the news before he went down.
On this Veterans Day pause for a few minutes to remember all who have served. We who knew John also knew and still know the tremendous commitment he and all military have made and continue to make enabling us to live in peace and safety each day. Pass the message to your children so they will not become complacent as they grow older.
Veterans Day was always the special day I would either call or email John to thank him and let him know how much I loved him. (This was not the only day!!!)
This year I cannot call him, however I do find myself reflecting on all the good he brought to the world both in his life and in his death. Although we are still working through tremendous feelings of loss we have also been overwhelmed by all the good that has returned to us as a result of his huge circle of life and kindness. He now has two little babies who were given the names Andrew John and Paul Andrew in his memory. His old buddies call and keep in touch. Each week a new kindness is returned to us in his memory.
Above all, John left us the gift of his beautiful girls, Julie, Keely, Maddie, and Erin. All are his bright lights in the world and we love them dearly.
Each night I go outside for a few minutes and look up at the sky always imagining the beauty of the night stars and the sunrises John saw on his many flights. Looking up, I reflect on his short lived yet beautiful life and these lines…..
In one of the stars
I shall be living
In one of them
I shall be laughing
And so it will be
as if all the stars
were laughing
when you look
at the sky at night
The Little Prince ~ Antoine de Saint- Exupery
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