August 25, 2009

Today my heart is heavy. Today a few will gather to honor a soldier. Today marks the first anniversary of the loss of a solider, a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a friend. Captain John L. Hallett, III was an outstanding, hardworking and loving man.

He could swim like a fish. He loved to cook (and thankfully was equally as good at putting out fires). That Vidalia Onion will get you every time, John! He had a smile that could light up a room. He LOVED his wife. There was a passion there that is unmatched in most relationships.

John loved to organize! We met John and Lisa at Fort Benning, GA in 2005 and from the time we met John he was "organizing my music". I never knew exactly what that meant, but it was serious business! When we all moved to Fort Polk, LA in 2006, John was still "organizing my music". I'm certain John never finished organizing his music because honestly, I don't think that would have been finished even if John had lived to be 90 years old. John loved the label maker. If you go into the Hallett home today, you can find all the places John labeled things, in the kitchen especially. If John was here, he would spend a whole weekend reorganizing the kitchen because last time I was there, not everything was in its place! He also had a hidden talent of rapping Too Short songs. I didn't even know John knew language like that, but he was so serious about it. We were all shocked at first and then laughing so hard we had tears rolling down our faces. The Halletts loved throwing dinner parties and welcoming their friends into their home. We shared many tasty dinners with the Halletts, and I wish we could have those days back.

John has left behind a beautiful and strong wife, Lisa and their three children, Jackson 4, Bryce 2, and precious Heidi 1. John never held Heidi in his arms, but I can only imagine the way he would look at her pictures. I saw him with Jackson as an infant and went to the hospital when Bryce was born, and he loved holding those babies! I'm certain his heart ached every time he looked at Heidi's picture wishing he was there to enjoy his only daughter. Heidi is a very special girl, and she will know her Daddy's love even though he is no longer standing by her side.

John, your service was honorable, your mission was intended to bring medicine to a village that was sick and you never made it there. The insurgents took you, the other soldiers and that medicine away from sick people. They have taken so much, from so many. You gave your life for the people of that village, and the Americans who are so thankful. I am grateful to have known you, John. Thank you for the blessing of your family, they enrich my life greatly. I will continue to stand by Lisa and be there for her and your three children. I won't let her down, John. You can count on me.