Jack Leroy Stewart - 9th Inf. Div. 1943-1945
This Memorial Day ,2007 ,marks the passing of Jack Leroy Stewart, war hero, teacher, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. With his soul but a few feet above our heads, we remember his life and are grateful for it. I can recount many of his accomplishments, but the real marks of a man, are the memories that he leaves in the hearts of those he touches. My memories of Jack are filled with his quiet courage that must have carried him through hundreds of battlefields which we can now only imagine. If you talk to anyone who knew him, they will tell you that his love for his family consumed him. He knew how valuable life is, and he refused to waste a minute of it. He was always there, selflessly, for his family. We loved him for that.
He and God must have had a very special relationship. I bet there were many times when he said: Now God? I am ready to come home, and God answered: Not yet Jack, I have other work for you. On the cold, long nights in the mountains of North Africa when the outcome of the War was uncertain, he must have asked that question. On the cold spring night off the coast of England(Operation Tiger/Slapton Sands) when his landing craft was sunk from beneath him, he must have asked that question. When all of his friends lay dead and dying around him in Normandy(hedgerow country) and his blood graced the ground, I am sure that he must have asked that question. In the frozen rice paddies of Korea when the warm Georgia summer must have seemed a very long way off, again, he must have asked that question. But still his Country called him, and he became the adviser the King’s Guard in Thailand. That country was a fragile democracy and he worked against the communist guerrillas in remote jungles unknown to the rest of us. Could any man have done more in the defense of freedom? No one ever carried that blue badge, with the long rifle, on their chest with more dignity. The badge of a combat infantryman has never been more well-earned.
He knew what it took to keep us a free nation. Instead of putting away his uniform he entered another career, teaching children to become officers and inspiring them to lead men in times of war. He inspired his first born to follow after him, and Richard led with distinction in the air cavalry above Vietnam(slick pilot) and then on to a career in the Army. He inspired me to be a better man and to complete a career in the Air Force. How many hundreds of others relied on his strength and honor to serve their Country? We will never know; but there were many.
When Jack married Anne in England, they were both officers in an Army (9thInf.Div)that was preparing to embark on one of the epic battles of world history. They took time away from the challenges ahead of them to find a little church in the green hills of western England to begin the love that has lasted till this day, and will last beyond. When I visited that church many years later, I could still feel what they must have felt there. The Army nurse and the Company Commander must have had a lot of faith in God to make that leap into the unknown at that dark time in our history. Their faith was rewarded, and they lived to raise a fine family of three men and one fine lady, whom I have loved for almost forty years. They welcomed me into their family, and my life is richer for it. Our children and their children are blessed with the quality of Jack’s life that is passed on to them through our memories.
Anyone who can ask the question: Can a warrior enter into the Kingdom of Heaven? — Never knew Jack. He endured the deprivations of war, and the pain of its losses, tragedies and the tears. He put his life on the line so that others might live in freedom. This Nation owes him its gratitude and its love. This warrior has died, but he will not be forgotten. Today, God finally said: Jack it is time for you to come home now.
Col. Jack L. Stewart will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery next month ....
Rest in Peace sir
Leo ~ that also was an absolutely amazing & wonderful tribute to a true hero. Heaven must be full of honorable & valiant soldiers just like Jack Leroy Stewart, and we are very lucky to have had them serve our great nation while they were here.
God bless, and thank you again for sharing that story....
Leo,
That was a beautiful eulogy, a testment to the man Jack L. Stewart was. My fishing buddy is such a man.
The best sermon I ever heard was one preached at a WWI soldier’s funeral, and the minister talked about how a tiny hummingbird, which has to beat its wings (he had exact data on this)xx amount of times, and consume xx amount of nectar to travel from Canada to South America, and overcome unsurmountable obstacles along the way.
And then the minister said if God cares for that tiny creature, and gives protection so that many make this trip, he surely cares for us.
When my dying fishing buddy and I were talking on the phone the night I posted this, I told him the story about the sermon.
My vet friend is very brave, and can withstand more than most men, but he chose to tell me about his constant pain, and how he has asked God why he doesn’t go ahead and take him.
I told my buddy God is not through with him yet. My friend has had a huge impact on my life, and many others. And I tried my best to comfort him. I reminded him that every
small creature, and we made in his own image, and God will know when it is his time.
I wish I could cradle my buddy in my arms. I will be making the two hour trek to see him soon, and cook him some of the good old country food his wife used to cook. I am from the same bloodline as she, and I’ve often felt he loved me so much partly because he saw her and her qualities in me. I’m talking about him being like a father to me. He is not kin to be by bloodline, he married into my family.
But he has always treated me like a daughter and a best friend. On our fishing trips he has shared stories with me he has never shared with his own kids, and I will make it a point to share these with his kids.
We have a very special relationship.
I have to go see him soon, and put aside a lot of the other things that have been keeping me from doing so. I want to be there when he crosses over. This really burdens me, because he chose to bless me with his love and friendship, I owe him this and know, for some reason, seeing me again will be a great comfort to him.